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.jpg) Elliot Sherman (Michael Showalter) just doesn't have any luck with the ladies. He refers to himself as a Baxter, the kind of guy who just can't get a break with love. He's getting married in two weeks. He's nervous because his Baxter ways are getting the best of him.
Elliot's fiancée, Caroline (Elizabeth Banks) has just ran into her old high school sweetheart, Bradley (Justin Theroux). Elliot becomes obsessed that Bradley, who has just left his girlfriend, will take Caroline away from him. Elliot finds comfort in talking to Cecil (Michelle Williams), a temp at his office who shares a lot of the same interests as Elliot. In the two weeks before his wedding, Elliot must fight his Baxter ways to reclaim Caroline or be caught in Baxter-hood forever.
Some films earn their rankings through hard work and brilliant filmmaking. Films like "The Baxter" just win me over though its quirky characters and hilarious situations. I really didn't know what to expect from this film. I knew I liked Showalter on "The State", MTV's comedy show from the 90's, but I didn't know if he could write a script by himself that would be funny. He has.
"The Baxter" harks back to the earlier days of cinema. It's a screwball comedy that isn't afraid to be quirky. Showalter is bold in allowing these characters to have their fair share of awkward moments. Each character has its fair share of quirks that are funny, but not really discussed at any time. The film isn't afraid of strange moments. I think this is why I found the film very very funny.
Showalter plays the perfect loveable loser. I felt Elliot's pain as the "better guy" gets into his subconscious and starts torturing Elliot. This film knows how a character like Elliot thinks; He's constantly paranoid that he's not good enough for any woman. The film plays all these things for laughs and the laughs connected for me. I found myself laughing a lot during this film.
Michelle Williams is very good as Cecil. Michael and Michelle have very good chemistry and aren't afraid to have a silent, awkward moment or two...or ten. Some of Showalter's "State" cohorts show in supporting roles. Michael Ian Black is very funny as Ed, Elliot's quirky best friend. He's a strange bird, but very funny. David Wain steals a dinner scene. Joe Lo Truglio has a small, but funny role. Ken Marino shows at the end and doesn't do much...mostly because Showalter upstages him.
The biggest highlight in this film for me is a scene where Caroline and her wedding planner show up at Elliot's apartment after Cecil has innocently spent the night. The wedding planner, Benson Hedges, is played by Peter Dinklage and he steals the scene. Dinklage shows a new level of fearlessness in this scene and he plays it perfectly. He's the highlight of the film for me. I laughed very hard during this scene.
Like I said, some films are just fun and quirky enough that it's hard to not love them. I really enjoyed my time with "The Baxter." Showalter has created a film that is touching along with being very funny.
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