CS Weekly Archive > Weekend Read > 8/26/05

A Film That Embodies Its Name (Unfortunately)

By danny munso

The Baxter

Michael Showalter (also directed and starred)

In a welcome twist to the romantic comedy genre, The Baxter tells us the story of the loser, the guy who's always left at the altar. However, the excitement this spin brings is the last drop of originality poured into the script, which is more than competent, but takes as many risks and unexpected turns as an ABC Family Original Movie. The film longs to be an odd love-child of old '40s screwball comedies and Woody Allen's late-'70s work, retaining the tame qualities of the former but foregoing the maturity of Allen's writing altogether. It isn't that The Baxter is unfunny, because it certainly has its share of moments (particularly Peter Dinklage's wonderfully written turn as a wedding planner). Unfortunately, the characters and story are cut from such a derivative cloth that most of the big laughs go wasted. Ironically, The Baxter becomes a mirror of its subject: a loveable loser who never takes a chance and comes up a bit short.

The Baxter
Independent Artists
Rated PG-13; 91 min.

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Danny Munso graduated from film school in 2004 and can currently be found on his computer working on one of his many half-written screenplays. Or, more likely, he's on the Internet checking the scores of his beloved Bay Area sports teams.

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