The Civilization of Maxwell Bright (2005) User Reviews

Interesting Movie - go see it

[marcia-37 · 7/10 · 2 November 2005]

I saw this film at the Milwaukee International Film Festival Oct. 2005. The director/writer warned us it was dark and that we could laugh. And that it was. The time just flew by while we watched the movie, which makes me feel like I didn't waste my time. Max has a lot of issues in this movie. He's a jerk. But somehow, at the end, you're OK with him being that way. I don't want to give away anything. There is nudity and there is a ton of swearing and touchy subject matters, this is not a movie for anyone who dislikes those things. I liked all the casting and the writing/plot was interesting. Didn't see the twist coming. I don't know if Milwaukee received a bad copy (is that even possible anymore?), but the film quality had a bit to be desired. Some bad sound areas and some weird stuff on the film itself, maybe that can be repaired once the film is picked up. I wish them luck!! Patrick Warbarton was in the theater for the viewing. He was very nice.

It's trying for David Mamnet type humor and falls flat...yet turns into a Dead of the Book event at the end

[scarletminded · 5/10 · 14 August 2009]

I get the themes of what this film was about. The ape becomes enlightened and becomes a swan. I didn't think it was as funny as it should be. I like Patrick Warburton too, but the beginning of the movie is so brassy, it falls flat on its own portrayal of making the character of Maxwell Bright so asinine that I thought about not watching the rest of the movie. And the movie becomes oddly spiritual in the end, in takes a very interesting turn, but it isn't enough for me.

Another review wrote that they were laughing so much their stomach hurt. I laughed a couple of times, but the movie didn't bring out Warburton's talent that much and I was disappointed. I think the acting was OK enough due to the script being supported by the whole profanity as humor thing...I mean, that can be funny, like in a Mamet play, just here, it doesn't work and because of that, the whole spiritual thing at the end falls flat too. I don't really care if Maxwell Bright dies of cancer, I am just wondering why he gets to have this perfect death when he was a complete fool in his life.

A Bittersweet Movie

[jkrobiso · 7/10 · 29 October 2005]

I saw this film at the Austin Film Festival last week. Definitely above average, but there were places where the story felt disjointed, such as why Max has such an attitude about Western women--the opening scene doesn't do it for me. And a little more about why Max is running into financial trouble would have been nice. Overall, a very good movie with standout performances from Warburton, Marie Matiko and Eric Roberts.

What I liked most is that this was a non-threatening exploration of spirituality and attitudes towards marriage, as well as the genuine emotions evoked at the end of the film. It deserves a wide release and the opportunity to find an audience beyond the festival circuit.

The most surprising film I've seen so far this year

[rmuncada · 10/10 · 11 March 2005]

Excellent film about misogynist Maxwell Bright (Patrick Warburton) who, fed up with his dating history with American women, decides to get a mail order bride from China. Things go well for him at first as she appears as subservient as advertised, but when he embarrasses her (and himself) in front of his friends at a poker night, he finds that she is much more than just a prim and proper housewife. In fact, the gifts she has may even lead this unlikeable jerk to redemption.

Warburton gets to bust out of his usual monotonous character trappings and shows some serious depth and rage. The changes seen in Maxwell Bright are neither smooth nor immediate. He has a tendency to lash out verbally at any female in the vicinity, and his tirades are alternatively LOL funny and cringe-worthy for their cruelty. Marie Matiko plays the beautiful Mai Ling, Max's bride, with equal amounts dignity and strength. When Max finally makes his turn for the "better", the lessons learned are never preachy, and the story doesn't turn sentimental. Religion is dealt with in a mature manner that is a departure from most movies I've seen that have tread in that area. David Beaird's screenplay treats its characters and the audience with respect.

I went into this film thinking it was just going to be a cute little romantic comedy or fish-out-of-water story, but the plot twists taken are brave and eventually much more satisfying. This is not light-hearted fare. It's worthy of a wider release.

Hilarious and Dark

[taegel · 11 November 2003]

Sex and Violence maintains an even resonance of brutal poetry, and it's also very very funny. Patrick Warburton brings enough vulnerablility to the despicable Max Bright such that his bilious reaction to life and the people in his sphere is bitingly funny. Ultimately S&V is all about pain and suffering, disease and abusiveness, but in such a way that the theatre where I saw it was rolling with laughter. My stomach muscles ached from laughing so hard. It felt like a Tennessee Williams play done really really well.

Unfulfilled promise ......

[merklekranz · 4/10 · 11 February 2017]

With the cast of character actors appearing in "The Civilization of Maxwell Bright", and a script that is not without interest, the disappointing result comes across like a home movie shot on a 1980s video recorder. If this was filmed, if the language had been toned down, if the jolting transition from dark comedy to weeping drama had been more enjoyable, and if the film was edited to 85 minutes, everything would have benefited. Seeing Jennifer Tilly, Eric Roberts, John Glover, and Carol Kane give it their best in a film of missed opportunities, is quite a shame. Not recommended for all of the above reasons. - MERK

An emotional roller coaster of a ride -- don't miss this one.

[wclaus · 10/10 · 13 October 2005]

Maxwell Bright hates women, but he hates himself even more. He destroys his business, his credit rating, his home and his friendships. Even his body falls apart, seemingly under the great cosmic weight of his hatred. And yet: this movie isn't about loathing; it's about forgiving. Yes, Maxwell is repulsive. But he holds a paradigmatic, redemptive trump card: somebody loves him. If Mai Ling can forgive him, honor him, love him -- then so can we. And ultimately, so can Maxwell himself -- which is precisely what sets him free.

I enjoyed the naked shakiness of this movie. Performances by Patrick Warburton, Marie Matiko and Eric Roberts were especially textured and compelling. See this movie. It will test your powers of forgiveness, and you'll be better for it.

Worth seeing if you know what to expect

[dmasursky · 3/10 · 25 September 2008]

Well-made with excellent performances, but not at all what was promised. I had hoped to see a self destructive man who was changed by his circumstances and especially by a wise woman. While that happened, it only happened because he was facing death! What a cop out! ANYONE would embrace strong spiritual guidance when forced to cope with a very early end to their life. I thought the movie really missed an opportunity to make its point. Resorting to such a time worn cliché made the writer/director seem lazy. If I'd known the whole film was a promo for Buddaism, I would have skipped it. I'm surprised so many writers on this site were so impressed. Yes, it's not the typical Hollywood fare, but that doesn't automatically make it a great movie.

Wow, this film will blow your mind!

[kevinrodriscoll · 10/10 · 25 July 2005]

The film starts off with a disclaimer stating that a true Buddist would sacrifice to live their life in hell so that another would be spared the same fate. This is followed by an opening scene that could have been taken from COPS or a really bad porno flick. It quickly emerges that Maxwell is a profane, mentally unstable misogynist who makes his living hawking TV's on TV in Southern California. His collection of pitiful friends and his materialist lifestyle are even more pathetic than his abominable anger at everything and everyone. For the first two acts, it seems a black comedy that is heading down a clichéd path toward ignominy. Maxwell's behavior is so disturbing and contemptible, you may even be tempted to leave the theater, but a story of love and sacrifice emerges that you may never forget. Maxwell's life is ultimately changed when he is able to see life differently through the eyes of both his best friend and his wife, a Chinese woman who he has arranged to marry through a broker. This film will leave you with profound emotions and may even change your life.

Absurd!

[steve-sab-anthony · 3/10 · 21 January 2023]

I find it very difficult to believe or understand how many good reviews this dour and disagreeable little contrivance has on IMDB.

Is it merely Marie Matiko's good looks? (It's only redeeming feature.) Maybe it's the simplistic plot, or the unsympathetic one dimensional characters, or the straight-to-video production values?

Could it be the over acted machismo or implausible dialogue?

Perhaps it's the inane Buddhism lite or the offensive yet reassuring stereotypes?

As I said, a complete mystery to me!

How sad to see the likes of Carol Kane, Simon Callow, Jennifer Tilly, Eric Roberts and Kurt Fuller in such a dismal little flick.

I guess times must be tough all over, even in Hollywood.

There are hundreds of great films, hundreds of thousands of good ones.

This is neither nor is it so bad it's good, don't waste your time.

The Civilization of Maxwell Bright

[yogibutterfly · 9/10 · 9 October 2005]

I wanted my husband to come to the Scottsdale Film festival to see this movie with me, thinking it was going to be a chick flick; hoping he'd see a few images of chauvinistic men seeing the light and then turning themselves around, (I love those gentle reminders). Instead my mother and I went and we rode an emotional roller-coaster during this "enlightening" movie. We Laughed, we cried, we loathed.... the movie was so unpredictable!! (It was a breath of fresh Hollywood air.)

Mai Ling was an inspiration. Her performance was beautiful, as was she. It ended up being me who was reminded of compassion and kindness. Patrick Warburton was fantastic... I hated his character so much initially I wanted him to die, and by the end of the movie my heart did a 180!! Well done David Beaird!!! This was definitely one movie worth the price of admission.

Surprisingly good

[megabigblur · 8/10 · 7 April 2009]

The movie starts out with a long shot of a nun meditating at a temple and a voice-over: "A good Buddhist would be willing to jump into hell to save just one other person." Then it cuts to a picture of a Southern California town with a big caption: "HELL".

I thought this movie was going to be an amusing comedy about a boor who gets his expectations of a submissive, doll-like mail-order bride turned upside down. He does, but rather than being comedic this movie is dramatic and touching. Maxwell Bright starts out as a guy who is self-destructing and losing everything in life - his business, his friends, his house, his self-image. He thinks he can buy a "geisha girl" who will prop up his ego, but what he gets is a quietly strong woman who both makes him realize what humiliating depths he's sunk to, and pulls him out of them.

It seems like a low-budget production because the camera work is a bit choppy and the pacing is terrible - slow bits should be fast and fast bits should be slow - but the writing and acting are great.

great film

[thunder_road-1 · 10/10 · 9 October 2005]

My favorite Patrick Warburton character is The Tick. I went to a screening of The Civilization of Maxwell Bright at the Scottsdale Film Festival last night because it looked intriguing, but really, it was because Patrick was presenting the film and doing a Q+A after, and I didn't want to miss anything he might say about The Tick.

And then The Civilization of Maxwell Bright ended up being the best film I've seen all year. A great story, direction, acting, cinematography - it was wonderful. Patrick Warburton was absolutely riveting. I can't think of anyone else who could present such a despicable character - an extreme misogynist, and yet keep the audience laughing even during his hateful diatribes against women. His vulnerability underneath all the bluster and anger kept you interested in what would happen instead of just dismissing him and wishing him a horrible fate.

I don't want to reveal anything about the story, but if you think you 'know' Patrick Warburton and love him from Seinfeld or the Tick, you will be pleased and maybe surprised to find that he has this depth of talent. And the film has such an emotional impact that one audience member said it made him feel better about death. It was a life -affirming film in the best, non-Lifetime network way.

And he DID talk about The Tick! I was very happy.

Great Film! Where's a Distributor for it!!

[discovision · 9/10 · 26 September 2006]

Although there are plot points that you could drive a truck through, this is a well thought out script and the acting is uniformly great. Patrick Warburton really gets to show us his acting chops as the cement headed misogynistic Max Bright and Marie Matiko as Mrs. Bright is the perfect counterpoint to his bluster. Special kudos to Eric Roberts as the long faithful friend. There is Warburton's impressive full frontal nudity that arrives on the scene even before the opening credits roll, but even this robust titillation quickly fades once the story is under-weigh.

On the whole I am completely baffled why this little gem of a film has languished in the Never Never Land of "Can't Find a Distributor". For those that care to search it out, it is available on DVD in Australia in the PAL format. It's a legit pressing, but looks like a work print was used for the transfer. It was filmed on video and transfered to film which doesn't help either.

Check it out.

Unexpected and compelling film.

[shrinks · 9/10 · 30 October 2005]

A plot synopsis of this film has been provided by at least one other reviewer, so I'll skip that. What was striking and refreshing about the film was its refusal to get psychological. I don't think anyone can watch this--especially the first 15 minutes--without wondering where Max's incredible anger comes from. It would have been tempting for the writer/director to include some sort of exposition of his childhood and/or his relationship with his mother and other women, either as flashback or monologue. Instead, what you see is what you get. Max is infantile and uncivilized (as the title implies) and no bones are made about it.

Still it's tempting to speculate. For example, one wonders if his life became chaotic after the loss of his initial girlfriend--the one we get a very good look at in the beginning--or if it was always like that. Does the absence of unconditional love throw his life into nihilistic disarray, or does he just require a girlfriend to keep his house clean? Why does Mei-Ling accept him twice, the second time after he's humiliated her horribly*? Does she see a big teddy bear in there or is she taking him on as a project? I see this as a strength of the film. Too much psychologizing feels like condescension. "Here. Let me explain every motive the characters have because I'm sure you're not sharp enough to think about them on your own." This is an excellent and powerful film, which ultimately imparts a sense of tenderness and peace without ever becoming mawkish.

*After having thought about it and, thanks to comments from other viewers, I have a theory about this question. If a Buddhist would enter hell in order to save another person from it, Mei-Ling continued to accept Max in order to take his place in hell. Perhaps the Buddhists know that such an act will redeem them both.

civilization

[sales-74 · 9/10 · 9 October 2005]

I saw this film at VISION FEST'05 in New York. It is film worth watching. Well acted, great direction, surprising and unforgettable. Patrick also received an award at VISION FEST for acting. See it!!! Review: Max Bright's relationship with women are explosive and cruel, so he resolves to find his fantasy woman: demure, submissive, and obedient, and he buys a Chinese mail-order bride. When Mai Ling arrives, she attempts to awaken the peaceful "Buddha" on Max as he introduces her to American luxury, carnality, and freedom. Max's world spirals out of control when he is diagnosed with terminal cancer and Mai Ling becomes his foundation as his health deteriorates and she leads him in exploring the spiritual aspects of his life.

Exceptional acting, touching story, and definitely plenty of laughs

[stratsz28 · 9/10 · 30 October 2005]

I thought this film was nearly flawless.

First of all, the acting was incredible. I had only known Patrick Warburton as Putty from Seinfeld, so I was expecting him to have the same dufusy air about him. However, Patrick really gave the character of Max Bright a great deal of dimension, and I was impressed by his ability to convey subtler feelings later in the film. Marie Matiko, who portrays the female protaginist, was sublime; she played her role perfectly. The supporting cast was not outstanding, but generally each actor gave a convincing performance.

The story was borderline sensational but also captivating. I enjoyed the mild plot twists. The writer/director spoke after the screening I attended, and he said that he had no outline for the script; the story just told itself along the way. This approach shows a little bit, but the movie never seems aimless.

And finally, I laughed a lot. I really came to like the characters, which certainly helped.

wild ride

[mkjor · 10/10 · 6 May 2005]

This movie was a total surprise from the first scene. Twisted and turned and the loved the handling of the theme of redemption. Caught this at Worldfest Houston, 2005, and have to say that anyone who can write a script like this in 2 weeks blows my mind to pieces. Really appreciated the contrasts and the superb acting. The writer/director stayed true to his characters and story line throughout. There was not one moment that lost my attention. Eric Roberts was the best I have ever seen him. His every word and action completely convinced me he was in the best role of his career. In every male in the movie, I have to say, that I have known many men with the exact characteristics portrayed and punched around in the movie. Sadly, I have met few women that have the devotion and fortitude of Mai Ling (the Chinese mail order bride) character in the movie. I applaud the entire movie: creative idea, screenplay,directing, acting, editing, total, total. I left the theater wanting more.

A Small Indie Gem

[Crap_Connoisseur · 30 March 2006]

The Civilization of Maxwell Bright is an unexpected gem. The film is not only very funny but also surprisingly insightful and endearing. David Beaird has crafted one of the most winning American indie films of recent times with the help of a uniformly great cast.

Maxwell Bright is one of the most despicable anti-heroes to come along in some time. Max is a close-minded misogynist, living a painfully unhappy life in Los Angeles. After breaking up with his girlfriend, Max deems modern women too demanding and decides to buy an Asian mail order bride, hoping to purchase a sex slave and house cleaner in the one subservient package. Needless to say, Max gets more than he bargains for with Mai Ling.

At the core of the film is Max's transformation from a clueless Neanderthal to a reasonably well-rounded human being. This could have been incredibly trite in the wrong hands, but Beaird's acidic writing manages to keep any kind of sentimentality at bay. Beaird's writing can not be praised highly enough. He has crafted a truly hilarious screenplay with hidden depth. My only objection is Mai Ling's Buddhist nun back-story which seems very far fetched and out of place in a film so anchored in reality. The same could probably be said about the scene where Max takes Mai Ling to see a preacher.

Funny dialogue would be useless without the right actors and Beaird has collected a wonderful cast for the film. Patrick Warburton is a revelation as Max. Warburton gives a brave and honest performance, never shying away from the fact that Max is generally a bad person and knows it. This self-knowledge has the counter intuitive effect of making Max strangely endearing. Marie Matiko is good as Mai Ling but is somewhat hampered by the "wise Asian" syndrome, with some of her dialogue veering dangerously close to Grasshopper territory. Luckily Matiko is a good enough actress to imbue her performance with enough grit to be believable.

Eric Roberts almost steals the show as an uncharacteristically sympathetic character. Roberts, so renowned for playing sleazy thugs, is hugely affecting as Max's best friend, Arlis. The scene in which Max ends their friendship was the highlight of the film for me. I love Jennifer Tilly, so it was nice to see her in a small cameo as Max's doctor. The same can be said for the inimitable Missi Pyle, who has a memorable turn as a foul mouthed police woman.

The civilization of Maxwell Bright is a bitterly funny tale of one man's redemption. While I didn't quite buy into Max's "civilization" and found his fate somewhat theatrical, I still enjoyed the film immensely as a fascinating character study of an unpleasant, but very real, human being.

Enjoyable Film

[rusty_borders · 9/10 · 15 October 2010]

This little film had a surprising performance from a very good character actor. Patrick Warburton made me cringe a few times and there was no guess as to where the plot was going. I was pleased with the casting, there was exceptional writing to go with it as well.

Marie Matiko had a outstanding performance as the demure, mail order bride with grace and beauty. I hope to see more of her in future films as she has a catching personality.

As a side note, there was an excellent performance from Eric Roberts as the long time friend. Since the release date was in 2007, I watched it from Netflix, but however you have to, go see it, or rent it, you won't be disappointed.

Roller-coaster of emotions-amazing movie

[traceyk · 10/10 · 21 April 2005]

I have been watching movies most of my life. I have seen some great ones, bad ones but I have never seen a movie that slapped me with such a roller-coaster of emotion. By the time I figured out what I should be feeling I was experiencing another emotion. It was non-stop. Should I laugh or cry, get mad...love, I did not have enough time to know what to feel.

This movie was all of this. I wanted to see it over and over again! This movie proves that we are not what we seem on the outside. Patrick Warburton has established himself as an actor that should be a "star". His acting shines throughout in every scene...even without words.Ms. Matiko is beautiful. Amazing movie!

biggest load of crap I've ever watched

[iisaiambchops · 5 March 2010]

I made an account JUST to review this movie. It is the biggest load of crap I have ever seen and it just made me SUPER angry. This movie was nothing but stereotype after stereotype of Asian women. We are NOT trained in sex as adolescents to please our husband. We do not wait hand and foot and scrub our husband's asses. We do NOT sit around and let him make racist comments and take it smiling idiotically. Quite frankly, I feel extremely offended and seeing all these people make these positive raves about this film disgusts me. This movie is just the Asian equivalent of Birth of a Nation by D.W Griffith, and quite frankly, the only people who watches this film and thinks that it's an amazing work of art, are obviously men with Yellow fever as this feeds into their supposed "ideal" Asian woman. disgusting.

Open up!

[dreamrr · 9/10 · 8 October 2005]

Raw, powerful film that grips your shirt collar and proceeds to rip you into the roof of rage, drag you down walls of ugliness, beauty, disgust and sorrow that are all human, and finally drop you breathlessly into serene consciousness. Actors are terrifically on-target; I hope this opens new doors for Warburton and gets Matiko greater exposure. I've always been a Roberts fan, but this one brings out something in him I've not seen in a long time. Writer/director Beaird also did the film Scorchers, which I recall recommending to folks years ago when I worked in a video store -- now here's another to add for truly, refreshingly, "touch-my-soul" viewing.

Additionally, since Maxwell Bright was shown as part of Scottsdale's International Film Festival, producer Steven Wolfe and actor Patrick Warburton hosted the filming and stayed after for a Q&A -- REALLY wish there were more of that in this country. Both gentlemen offered a grounding, personable and humble connection between film-goers and film-making (smilin', but I can't resist -- Warburton appears much the shy boy, proving his talent on screen, and Wolfe brings an authentic, accessible face to the business of producing). Nice, truly. Really nice. Fantastic evening.

excellent transformation!

[roxieandjjroco · 10/10 · 22 October 2005]

Witnessing the transformation of the main character in this film, I felt as fortunate to be a part of the Desert Film Society's audience as Mr. Walburton stated in the subsequent Q&A he was to play the lead. Analagous to the Mr. Bright being civilized, transformed if you will, in this movie is the marvelous revelation of the viewer that the talent of Mr. Walburton is not limited to sitcoms and animation. Ms. Matiko modestly understated the chemistry that exists between herself and Mr. Walburton on camera during the ensuing questioning session as, in my opinion, a cohesive couple of this caliber is rare even in big production films. Every aspect of the film deserves high praise from the cast to the music, the editing to the makeup. All of these beautiful boughs branch from the tremendous trunk of the solid script designed specifically for Mr. Walburton by his former teacher, Mr. Beaird.

At the outset one might be prompted to depart the theater but, much like the example in the film, patience and understanding have their rewards. On the surface it may appear that a mail-order bride might be the cure for a former jock's jerky behavior, but the dialog and performances take the viewer for a trip through the spectrum of emotions. There are directing nuances that remind me of Kubrick, in particular the parallel of montages between Mr. Bright's "male bonding" near the beginning of the movie and the "personal closure" clips in the latter frames. One subtle observance is the relative shakiness of shots at the onset, perhaps analogous to the character's life, later balanced with images obtained from a sturdier camera as the lead role becomes more "grounded." In the end, one will be moved to e-mailing their address list to spread the word about this "indie" and hope one day a DVD copy will be available to share with their children.

Want something new?

[micron_rt · 8/10 · 25 January 2007]

The very first thing which jumped into my eyes was the difference of culture between those two: the American husband and his Asian wife. Of course, "Marie Matiko is an American actress" you'd probably say. In Mai Ling's role she just impressed me! I wonder how come that it wasn't made fun of that Chinese (or Japanese) culture? I believe Europe used to have some similar customs for training expectant wives, excluding sexual training (or am I wrong here?). Anyway, when I started watching this, there were only signs of another cheap movie. I'm not sure I could say that it changed much in the end but I've got the feeling that it was worth watching.