The Baxter DVD Review:

Independent films often try very hard to escape classification. They defy being labeled, and by doing this they are often difficult to classify, because they don’t easily fit in any genre. The Baxter is a genius film because of its ability to stay within the classifications of a romantic comedy, but at the same time it is from a view point which is never seen in this very specific genre. This method is hilarious as well as thought provoking because we understand immediately who this guy is from merely having seen other romantic comedies. This makes The Baxter more entertaining and more fun than most independent films, mostly because it takes less work and is easily accessible to the audience. It may not have the driving power of some creative and original work, but that is obviously not because of the material, which is subtly brilliant.

Elliot Sherman is a conservative and safe guy who works in accounting, and hasn’t always had the best luck with women. Elliot’s grandmother has a name for men like Elliot, who are the guy in the romantic movie that were engaged to the leading woman before she realizes that she is meant to be with the leading man. The guy left at the alter is called The Baxter, and that is exactly what Elliot is. He has had countless situations in which a girl has left him for another guy who makes a sweeping gesture that ensures the two of them will live happily ever after while Elliot is left alone. When Elliot meets Caroline, a beautiful and intelligent woman who also happens to come from money, he is determined not to lose her. Everything is going well and they are engaged to be married, but when an old high school boyfriend shows up, things look bleak for Elliot once again. He turns to a temp in his office, played by Michelle Williams, for advice, but it may be too late for him to get the leading woman.

The Baxter is filled with great actors that you have seen in other things, but have not become household names yet. Michael Showalter is great as Elliot, especially considering he wrote and directed the film as well. He really does have a grasp on what a Baxter is and many of his friends in the film are great examples as well. Justin Theroux is perfect as the ex-boyfriend that threatens Elliot. Some may have seen Justin as a Baxter himself in the hit show Six Feet Under. Elizabeth Banks plays Caroline, but audiences are likely to recognize her from her small role in The 40-Year Old Virgin which came out around the same time. Then of course, there is Michelle Williams, who is a bit of a Baxter herself in this film.

What makes The Baxter great is the simplicity and familiarity of the material. If there are still original ideas to be made into films, this is definitely one of them. It is the right amount of painfully funny and sweetly romantic. Elliot is a bit annoying, and although you root for him, you also know he is at least a little deserving of his fate.

The DVD has a fun menu, but the cover art on the DVD is rather bland. It doesn’t really tell what the film is about very accurately, and this isn’t one of those films that everyone already knows about. There is a blooper reel for a special feature, but it doesn’t make sense why there wouldn’t be a director’s commentary, especially considering how involved he was in the production.



Ryan Izay