The Baxter (2005)
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33% of critics liked it
(73 reviews) -
73% of users liked it
(7,306 ratings)
A man with a "doormat" personality tries standing up for himself for a change in this comedy. Mild mannered tax accountant Elliot Sherman (Michael Showalter) is what he calls a "Baxter": the kind of calm, unexciting fellow who "wears sock garters" and "enjoys… More A man with a "doormat" personality tries standing up for himself for a change in this comedy. Mild mannered tax accountant Elliot Sherman (Michael Showalter) is what he calls a "Baxter": the kind of calm, unexciting fellow who "wears sock garters" and "enjoys raking leaves." Loved by bosses and parents, Elliot is a perfectly nice guy. And that's his problem -- he's safe and pleasant, but not very interesting, so as a consequence he hasn't had much luck with long-term relationships, and more than one woman has abandoned him for someone more exciting. Elliot believes his luck has finally changed for the better when he becomes engaged to Caroline Swann (Elizabeth Banks), a smart and attractive editor at a successful magazine. However, a few weeks before the wedding, who should come back into Caroline's life but Bradley Lake (Justin Theroux), her high school sweetheart and, according to many, the great love of her life. Bradley quickly makes it clear that he wants to win Caroline back, and generally in such circumstances Elliot would politely step aside, but just this once Elliot decides to fight for the woman he loves. Elliot gains an unexpected champion in Cecil Mills (Michelle Williams), a frumpy but adorable temp employee at his office who encourages Elliot to develop a take-charge attitude, though the results aren't quite what he expects. The Baxter was written and directed by Michael Showalter, who also plays Elliot; Showalter was a member of the sketch comedy troupe the State, and also works with the comedy performance trio Stella, whose other members, Michael Ian Black and David Wain, also appear in the movie. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Directed By
- Michael Showalter
- Written By
- Michael Showalter
- Genres
- Comedy, Romance
PG-13,
- In Theaters
- Aug 26, 2005 Wide
- Studio
- IFC Films
Critic Reviews
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J. R. Jones, Chicago Reader
The performers are fresh and offbeat, with the diminutive Peter Dinklage (Elf, The Station Agent) especially funny as a gay wedding planner named Benson Hedges.
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Jeff Strickler, Minneapolis Star Tribune
Showalter tackles his mission with energy and an upbeat attitude that makes him a winner as a lovable loser.
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Wesley Morris, Boston Globe
Only when Williams is around does the movie seem human, true, and funny: Even in her slapstick there's pain. She's almost too good: It's not until she's left a scene that you realize the movie isn't working.
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Bill Muller, Arizona Republic
There are enough laughs that those who enjoyed The 40-Year-Old Virgin might want to take The Baxter for a whirl.
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Desson Thomson, Washington Post
Showalter all-too-slavishly follows the lock-step school of formula romance.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Michael Showalter
as Elliot Sherman
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Elizabeth Banks
as Caroline Swann
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Michelle Williams
as Cecil Mills
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Justin Theroux
as Bradley Lake
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Zak Orth
as Wendall Wimms
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Michael Ian Black
as Ed
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Catherine Lloyd Burns
as Stella
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Peter Dinklage
as Benson Hedges
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Paul Rudd
as Dan Abbott
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David Wain
as Louis Lewis
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A.D. Miles
as Bar Baxter #1
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Joe Lo Truglio
as Bar Baxter #2
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Seth Herzog
as Bar Baxter #3
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Jonathan Marc Sherman
as Deaf Bar Baxter
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Leslie Lyles
as Sheila Sherman
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Donna Mitchell
as Judy Swann
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Haviland Morris
as Kate
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Audrie J. Neenan
as Pastor Pritchard
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Marylouise Burke
as Delores
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Gabriel Millman
as Max
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Sarah Drew
as Serena
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Ken Marino
as Jack Mechanic
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Jim DeMarse
as Leonard Sherman
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Chris Spain
as Tanner Bates
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John DeVries
as Alan Swann
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Peter Stadlen
as Young Elliot
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Abigail Wathen
as Kimberly
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Bobby Tisdale
as Emcee
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Michael Portnoy
as Interpretive Dancer
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Maya Goldsmith
as Muffy
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Jenny Maguire
as Peg
- Katharine Powell
