Hubbry Logo
The BaxterThe BaxterMain
Open search
The Baxter
Community hub
The Baxter
logo
7 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
The Baxter
The Baxter
The Baxter
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

The Baxter
Directed byMichael Showalter
Written byMichael Showalter
Produced byReagan Silber
Galt Niederhoffer
Starring
CinematographyTim Orr
Edited by
Music by
Production
company
Distributed byIFC Films
Release date
  • April 24, 2005 (2005-04-24)
Running time
91 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Box office$181,872[1]

The Baxter is a 2005 American comedy film written by, directed by and starring comedian Michael Showalter. A "Baxter", as defined by the film, is the nice, dull guy in a romantic comedy who is dumped at the end of the story for the protagonist.

Much light humor is made of showing Showalter as a "Baxter" in several typical romantic comedy clichés: being abandoned at the altar as a former love is claimed by her high school sweetheart, and being left in college at a pep rally for an underdog sports hero. The plot revolves around the life of Elliot Sherman during the two weeks before his wedding, as he doggedly fights off the curse of his former Baxter role in relationships.

IFC Films financed the film and produced it with Plum Pictures. They gave the film a very limited release; it had a U.S. box office gross of $181,872.

Plot

[edit]

Elliot, a tax accountant from Brooklyn, is a dependable though thoroughly average young man doomed to be the "Baxter", the nice guy who's bound to lose the girl to the leading man in romantic comedies. Losing three girlfriends to last-minute rekindled relationships with their ex-boyfriends has made Elliot wary of being abandoned yet again.

About a week before his wedding to his girlfriend, Caroline Swann, Elliot discovers that her high school beau, Bradley, is back in town. Elliot tries to keep himself composed, but even Caroline's reassurances do not convince him that her feelings for Bradley are buried. In the meantime, Elliot meets Cecil, his temporary secretary at his accounting firm. As he resigns himself to losing Caroline to Bradley, Cecil offers him a ray of hope: she does not believe in "Baxters" and thinks that his predicament is avoidable.

The two meet up again later that night at a small club where Cecil performs her original songs, and Cecil tells Elliot he needs to take more risks. When Cecil fights with her unsupportive boyfriend Dan, Elliot offers to put her up for the night. The next morning, Caroline shows up early with their wedding planner to finalize their plans. Elliot panics due to Cecil's hidden presence and during the meeting, makes a string of awkward suggestions, upsetting Caroline, who begins to doubt his commitment to their relationship, to the point of calling off the wedding.

While out at a bar with his friends from work, Elliot accidentally runs into Dan, who recognizes him as Cecil's "Baxter" friend. Dan is there to meet with Sonya, who's Bradley's current girlfriend and Dan's old college friend. They all decide to sit together, much to Elliot's chagrin. Both Dan and Bradley laugh and joke with Elliot's friends until one of them mentions that Caroline left him. Depressed and upset, Elliot leaves and contemplates suicide but he's interrupted by Caroline's brother-in-law, Louis (David Wain), who tells him Caroline is willing to give their engagement another chance.

Elliot plans a romantic dinner with Caroline but finds her with an anguished Bradley, who just broke up with Sonya and is back flirting with Caroline. Caroline convinces Elliot to take Bradley out with them. They cancel Elliot's reservations to an expensive restaurant and go instead to a burger place that Bradley knows well. Elliot feels out of place and eventually calls Cecil from the back of the restaurant, confessing that he feels that his marriage will be over before it begins.

The next day, Elliot arrives at work to find that Cecil is his temp again. When she proposes to go have a drink together, Elliot explains that after his phone call, the night actually got better for him. As Caroline accused Elliot of being unromantic, he stood up for himself and accepted to go dance with her and Bradley, actually impressing Caroline with his moves. Bradley shows off his breakdance routines, accidentally hitting Elliot in the face, to Caroline's concerns. Bradley apologizes and reveals that he will leave the next morning to Malta for his work as a geode student.

Though happy for him, Cecil is saddened by the news because of her growing feelings for Elliot. She mentions that Dan is moving to Cincinnati and she's going to follow him there, to Elliot's discomfort.

At Caroline and Elliot's wedding, Bradley crashes the ceremony and declares his love for Caroline, a split second after Elliot was going to voice his own objection. Caroline finally gives in and kisses Bradley passionately in front of the whole church. Elliot takes off immediately to catch Cecil before she leaves town and finds her at her apartment right while Dan is leaving. Elliot declares his love for her and chases off an old friend of hers who suddenly shows up. Later, they perform together at the same club where they had their first date, with Cecil singing one of her songs and Elliot playing the piano to back her up.

In a mid-credits scene, Dan reflects in narration on his own status as a Baxter, having just lost the girl to the leading man.

Cast

[edit]

Reception

[edit]

On review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 32% based on reviews from 75 critics, with an average score of 5.05/10. The website's critics consensus reads: "The Baxter is good-natured, but there are simply not enough laughs to fuel this comedy."[2]

Roger Ebert gave the film two out of four stars and wrote: "The problem with The Baxter is right there at the center of the movie, and maybe it is unavoidable: Showalter makes too good of a baxter. He deserves to be dumped."[3] John Anderson of Variety magazine wrote: "Showalter pushes too far: Nerdiness, after all, can be only so attractive."[4]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

The Baxter

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The Baxter is a American film written and directed by , who also stars in the lead role as Sherman, a mild-mannered tax accountant. The story centers on , whom he self-describes as a "Baxter"—the kind of unassuming man women date temporarily until their ideal partner arrives—whose impending wedding to his fiancée Caroline Swann () is disrupted when she reconnects with her charismatic ex-boyfriend Bradley Lake (). Amid this turmoil, receives guidance from Cecil Mills (Michelle Williams), an office temp and free spirit, helping him confront his passive nature and pursue genuine connection. Produced by IFC Films and Plum Pictures, the 91-minute film premiered in theaters on August 26, 2005, earning a PG-13 rating for its blend of indie humor and heartfelt romance. Notable supporting performances include as Benson Hedges, Elliot's irreverent best friend, adding sharp wit to the ensemble. Shot in , the movie draws stylistic inspiration from classic comedies, emphasizing Elliot's awkward odyssey through heartbreak and self-discovery in the two weeks before his wedding. Critically, The Baxter received mixed reviews for its quirky take on romantic tropes, with for Showalter's earnest portrayal but of its uneven pacing. It holds a 32% approval rating on based on 75 reviews, highlighting its appeal as a low-key comedy for audiences familiar with being sidelined in love. Despite modest returns, the film has garnered a for its relatable exploration of insecurity and growth in modern relationships.

Development and pre-production

Concept and writing

The Baxter originated as a satirical examination of conventions, centering on the known as the "Baxter"—a term coined for the film to describe the reliable but unexciting who inevitably loses the romantic lead to a more charismatic rival. This concept draws from longstanding tropes in the genre, exemplified by characters like Ralph Bellamy's roles in 1930s screwball comedies, where the dependable suitor is sidelined for the exciting protagonist. , the film's writer and director, popularized the term through the movie, using it to highlight the overlooked perspective of the underdog in love stories. Showalter's inspiration stemmed from his personal observations of romantic comedies and his own experiences with anxiety and self-doubt, which he channeled into the protagonist Elliot Sherman as a self-deprecating . As his directorial debut, the film allowed Showalter to subvert expectations by flipping the focus to the "Baxter" character, blending with to critique the formulaic nature of such stories. He drew from classic influences like Frank Capra's heartfelt comedies and Ernst Lubitsch's witty style, aiming to create a rhythmic, dialogue-driven script that embraced while gently mocking the tropes. The screenplay's development took approximately two years, with Showalter writing it solo as a showcase of his skills, initially envisioning a traditional about the rival couple before layering in the Baxter's fragmented viewpoint. This process emphasized self-deprecating humor to explore themes of underdog resilience, where grapples with societal pressures and personal insecurities amid the chaos of impending . By introducing these elements early in the writing phase, Showalter ensured the script's core was a thoughtful inversion of romantic expectations, prioritizing emotional authenticity over resolution. Prior to The Baxter, Showalter had built a foundation in through groups like The State and Stella, which informed his humorous yet introspective approach to the script.

Casting

Michael was cast in the lead role of Elliot Sherman, drawing on his established comedic persona from the series The State to bring authenticity to the character's awkward, self-deprecating qualities. As writer and director, Showalter positioned himself as the ideal embodiment of the "Baxter" archetype, leveraging his background in improvisational humor to ground the film's satirical take on romantic comedies. Elizabeth Banks was selected for the role of Caroline Swann, the poised fiancée whose internal conflict drives much of the narrative tension, aligning with her emerging reputation for playing multifaceted romantic leads capable of blending charm and complexity. Michelle Williams was chosen as Cecil Mills, the quirky office temp serving as an alternative love interest, to infuse the character with a sweet, innocent depth that contrasted the more conventional heroine trope; Showalter specifically noted her wise and endearing presence, evoking classic comedic ingénues like Shirley MacLaine. The supporting cast was assembled to enhance the film's ensemble dynamic, with many selections emphasizing performers' shared improv roots for seamless comedic interplay. Justin Theroux portrayed Bradley Lake, the suave rival, chosen for his striking physicality and understated comedic timing that added layers to the antagonist role. Paul Rudd played Dan Abbott, a close friend offering wry counsel, selected partly due to his longstanding collaboration with Showalter from projects like Wet Hot American Summer and his talent for blending movie-star appeal with offbeat humor. Peter Dinklage was cast as Benson Hedges, the sharp-tongued coworker and wedding planner, valued for his innate wit and ability to elevate brief scenes through versatile performance. David Wain appeared as Louis Lewis, Elliot's eccentric boss, while fellow The State alum Michael Ian Black took on the role of Ed, the loyal best friend, contributing to the group's familiar banter. Zak Orth was cast as Wendall Wimms, a familial supporting figure, and Black also featured in a smaller party guest capacity, further bolstering the troupe's chemistry. The casting process prioritized actors with strong improvisational backgrounds, particularly from the The State comedy collective, to foster organic ensemble chemistry and precise comedic timing essential to the film's rapid-fire dialogue and satirical tone. Auditions were minimal for familiar collaborators, with Showalter relying on personal networks rather than extensive open calls, allowing for quick alignment of the cast's skills with the script's demands for authentic, unforced humor. This approach ensured the performers could ad-lib effectively within structured scenes, amplifying the movie's playful of rom-com conventions.

Production

Principal photography

Principal photography for The Baxter took place primarily in New York City, focusing on authentic urban settings to capture the film's comedic tone. Scenes depicting protagonist Elliot Sherman's home and office were filmed in Brooklyn neighborhoods such as Boerum Hill, Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn Heights Promenade, and areas around 136 Atlantic Avenue and Clinton Street, while other sequences utilized Manhattan locations including the Brooklyn Bridge in the Lower East Side and West 156th Street in Harlem. The production shot over a 20-day schedule beginning in March 2004, operating as a low-budget with a total cost under $1.5 million and minimal logistical disruptions, such as no need to close streets. Produced by Plum Pictures and IFC Films, the shoot employed cinematographer to achieve a vibrant, naturalistic look that highlighted the city's and energy. Director , who also starred as , adopted a hands-on approach informed by his extensive acting background with comedy troupes like The State, allowing him to efficiently manage the rhythm and cadence of ensemble scenes featuring familiar collaborators such as and . However, the presented challenges, including a split focus that made it difficult to oversee every detail on set and self-direct his performance without external guidance. Coordinating the large cast for comedic timing in urban environments further tested the production's indie setup, though the on-location filming in Brooklyn's vibrant streets helped foster the film's authentic, quirky vibe.

Post-production

Post-production for The Baxter involved editing the captured during to craft the film's lighthearted comedic tone. The editing was led by Jacob Craycroft and Sarah Flack, who assembled the 91-minute runtime by balancing the narrative's romantic elements and ensemble scenes. The original score was composed by , with additional music contributions from , providing quirky and upbeat cues that complemented the protagonist's journey. Sound design was overseen by Tom Paul as supervising sound editor and re-recording mixer, incorporating foley work by Eric Milano to enhance the film's setting through subtle urban ambiance. were minimal, consisting primarily of basic enhancements for montages and uncredited contributions from Keith Yurevitz, keeping the focus on the story rather than elaborate digital elements.

Synopsis and cast

Plot summary

Elliot Sherman, a mild-mannered tax accountant in , is preparing for his wedding to his fiancée, Caroline Swann, a stylish fashion magazine editor. Throughout the story, Elliot is haunted by flashbacks to his past romantic failures, where he has repeatedly been the "Baxter"—the nice but unexciting guy who loses his partner to a more charismatic rival. These include being jilted at his high school prom by Kimberly for , losing his college girlfriend Serena to Tanner Bates after a misunderstanding involving a coat check, and being stood up in business school. One and a half years earlier, first encounters his coworker, the quirky temp secretary and aspiring singer Cecil Mills, with whom he shares nerdy interests like collecting vintage lunchboxes, but he does not pursue her romantically. Soon after, he meets Caroline when she seeks his help with her taxes, and they quickly fall in love, get engaged, introduce each other to their families, and hire consultant to plan the event. As the wedding approaches, confides in his friends—Wendall Wimms, Ed, and others—about his "Baxter" insecurities during casual outings, including discussions at a bar that evoke antics. A week before the ceremony, Caroline's charismatic ex-boyfriend from high school, Bradley Lake, unexpectedly returns to town, reigniting her feelings and amplifying Elliot's anxieties. This leads Elliot to reconnect with Cecil, attending one of her singing performances and later inviting her to stay at his apartment after she argues with her boyfriend, Dan Abbott; though nothing romantic occurs between them, the situation creates awkward tension when Caroline visits unexpectedly. The narrative builds to the wedding day, where Bradley dramatically interrupts the ceremony to profess his love for Caroline, prompting her to leave with him and abandon at the altar. In the aftermath, begins to pursue a relationship with Cecil. A mid-credits scene reveals that another character has met a similar "Baxter" fate.

Characters and performers

Michael Showalter portrays Elliot Sherman, the film's protagonist and quintessential "Baxter"—a neurotic defined by his awkward reliability and perpetual romantic misfortune as a mild-mannered . Showalter's performance emphasizes through clumsy bumbling and wide-eyed perplexity, while infusing vulnerability that lends poignant awkwardness to Elliot's good-hearted but passionless demeanor, making him a relatable despite the character's blandness. Elizabeth Banks plays Caroline Swann, Elliot's fiancée and a flighty archetype as a trendy, successful editor whose beauty and ambition place her seemingly out of his league. Banks brings charm to Caroline's indecisiveness, portraying her as a smart yet distracted romantic prize whose wavering affections drive the central conflict, though her engagement to Elliot remains somewhat unexplained in the narrative. Michelle Williams offers a nuanced depiction of Cecil Mills, the quirky alternative to Caroline as a shy, bookish temp from Fergus Falls, Minnesota, who enters Elliot's life with gentle warmth and subtle adoration. Williams highlights her dramatic range in this comedic context through a luminescent, childlike openness that glows with quiet appeal, adding emotional depth to Cecil's bedraggled yet endearing presence and elevating the film's otherwise dry tone. Justin Theroux embodies Bradley, the charismatic antagonist and Caroline's suave high-school sweetheart, a wealthy whose sudden return disrupts Elliot's world. Theroux's delivery calibrates the role with precise smarm that keeps Bradley human and threateningly appealing, underscoring his role as the effortlessly magnetic rival. Paul Rudd plays Dan Abbott, Cecil's boyfriend, who argues with her during the story. Michael Ian Black plays Ed, Elliot's wisecracking best friend whose quirky banter offers levity amid the romantic turmoil. Zak Orth plays Wendall Wimms, one of Elliot's friends. In supporting dynamics, steals scenes as Benson, the acerbic gay wedding planner, leveraging height-based humor in his hilarious, scene-dominating turns that inject sharp wit into the ensemble.

Release

Theatrical release

The Baxter premiered at the on April 24, 2005. It was subsequently given a in the United States by IFC Films, beginning in on August 26, 2005, and expanding to on September 2, 2005. The film was distributed primarily to art-house theaters in major cities, targeting audiences interested in independent cinema. Marketing efforts positioned The Baxter as an indie , highlighting the central "Baxter" concept of the perpetually unlucky through trailers that featured comedic scenarios from the plot and showcased cameos from its ensemble cast, including and Michelle Williams. The film received an MPAA rating of PG-13 for brief sexual humor, , and some drug references. International distribution was minimal, with releases in select markets outside the U.S., such as on September 30, 2005; no major European theatrical rollout occurred in 2006.

Home media

The Baxter was released on DVD on December 13, 2005, by in a single-disc edition featuring the film in 1.85:1 with 5.1 audio and English subtitles. The special features were limited, consisting primarily of a brief blooper reel divided into short segments and trailers for other titles. No Blu-ray edition has been released, and no special editions or re-releases have followed, consistent with the film's modest commercial performance and gradual development of a among indie comedy enthusiasts. Digital availability emerged in the 2010s, with the film becoming accessible for rent or purchase on platforms such as and ; by 2025, it streams on services including Paramount+, , and . Internationally, the DVD saw limited distribution, with the U.S. Region 1 edition imported to markets like the without region-specific extras or dedicated releases.

Reception

Critical response

The Baxter received mixed reviews from critics, who praised its good-natured intent and ensemble performances while frequently criticizing its lack of humor and predictable execution. On review aggregator , the film holds a 32% approval rating based on 75 reviews, with an average score of 5.05/10; the site's consensus describes it as "good-natured, but there are simply not enough laughs to fuel this ." Roger Ebert awarded the film 2 out of 4 stars in his September 2005 review, commending Michael Showalter's committed performance as the hapless protagonist but lamenting the character's overall lack of appeal, which he argued undermined the comedy's effectiveness. Similarly, Variety's Todd McCarthy critiqued the film's overly nerdy, "loser comedy" tone in a May 2005 festival review, noting its weak laughs and failure to make the inept lead likable, though he appreciated standout ensemble contributions from Peter Dinklage as a catty wedding planner and Michelle Williams as the charming love interest. Indie outlets offered some positive notes on the film's subversive take on tropes, with Slant Magazine's Nick Schager calling it a "skewed-perspective " that playfully deconstructs genre conventions through Showalter's self-deprecating bumbling, though he found it ultimately unthreatening and low on energy. The Chicago Reader's J.R. Jones echoed this in his September 2005 assessment, highlighting the fresh, offbeat performers—including Dinklage's hilarious turn and Williams's evocation of classic heroines—but faulting the predictable plot for diluting the energetic, affectionate vibe rooted in Showalter's sketch-comedy background. Overall, the reception was mixed, with critics viewing The Baxter as a charming if flawed debut for Showalter that subverted rom-com expectations through its perspective but struggled with unfunny and formulaic storytelling.

Box office performance

The Baxter opened in limited release across 47 theaters on August 26, 2005, earning $37,437 during its debut weekend. The film ultimately grossed $181,872 at the domestic , accounting for its total worldwide earnings with no significant international distribution. Produced as a low-budget , The Baxter operated on a shoestring financial model typical of indie comedies from Plum Pictures and IFC Films, resulting in a theatrical loss but aligning with the sector's reliance on ancillary markets for profitability. Its commercial outcome was influenced by constrained marketing efforts and a niche appeal that limited mainstream draw, compounded by stiff competition from blockbuster romantic comedies like , which earned $209 million domestically that summer. A premiere at the in April 2005 generated festival-circuit visibility and sustained modest audience interest through October, though this long-tail effect did not translate to substantial additional revenue. Compared to director Michael Showalter's later indie successes, such as (2017), which grossed $56 million worldwide on a $5 million , The Baxter exemplified his early career focus on small-scale, character-driven projects with constrained commercial reach. The film's mixed likely further tempered attendance in its limited run.

References

  1. https://www.thebaxtermovie.com/
  2. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0401244/
  3. https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-baxter-2005
  4. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/10005403-the_baxter
  5. https://chud.com/4082/interview-michael-showalter-the-baxter/
  6. https://movies.radiofree.com/interviews/thebaxte_michael_showalter.shtml
  7. https://movieweb.com/michael-showalter-is-the-baxter/
  8. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0401244/locations/
  9. https://onthesetofnewyork.com/thebaxter.html
  10. https://pro.imdb.com/title/tt0401244/?rf=cons_ttpg_ov_hdr&ref_=cons_ttpg_ov_hdr
  11. https://variety.com/2005/film/markets-festivals/the-baxter-1200526124/
  12. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0401244/fullcredits/
  13. https://www.vulture.com/2017/12/michael-showalter-from-actor-to-filmmaker.html
  14. https://www.milanrecords.com/release/the-baxter/
  15. http://www.entertainyourbrain.com/baxterrev.htm
  16. https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/the-baxter/
  17. https://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/26/movies/shes-beautiful-hes-bland-can-this-marriage-work.html
  18. https://www.blackfilm.com/20050826/reviews/thebaxter.shtml
  19. https://app.productionbeast.com/projects/14093-the-baxter
  20. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0401244/releaseinfo/
  21. https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Baxter-The
  22. https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/19412/baxter-the/
  23. https://www.whatdvd.net/the-baxter-dvd-review-3451.html
  24. https://www.blu-ray.com/The-Baxter/162695/
  25. https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/the-baxter
  26. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Baxter-DVD-Region-US-NTSC/dp/B000BMY2K6
  27. https://chicagoreader.com/film/the-baxter/
  28. https://www.metacritic.com/movie/the-baxter/
  29. https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl3343222273/weekend/
  30. https://www.boxofficemojo.com/month/august/2005/
  31. https://www.nyfa.edu/student-resources/8-recent-indie-movies/
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.