Elliot, the CPA who is seen at the beginning of the picture, is a nerd. Don't get me wrong, he is a good nerd, and that's his own downfall. We watch him as Carloline Swann, his fiancée, enters the church to stand next to him. Right there we realize these two are not made for one another. But have no fear, help is on the way. When the female minister asks the congregation if there is anyone who knows why this marriage can't proceed, a disheveled Bradley, who loves Caroline, comes forward to claim her for his own, leaving Elliot at the altar alone.
The action then goes back in flashbacks as to how Elliot and Caroline met. Elliot has employed a temp, Cecil Mills, who is new to Manhattan and is late for work because she got lost. Cecil and Elliot seem to strike a much balanced match, but the beauty of Caroline, when she enters the office erases all traces of the mousy Cecil from Elliot's mind, as he doesn't finish asking her for a concert that night.
As the preparations for the wedding get on the way, we realize Elliot and Caroline are not suited for one another. There is a hilarious gay wedding planner called Benson Hedges who will be in charge of the nuptials. Elliot in the end will be "the Baxter" of the title, because he is the man who will end up without getting the luscious Caroline.
This wonderful comedy written and directed by Michael Showalter, came and went without much fanfare. It deserved much better, but it might have been the timing for its release that killed all the possibilities, as it came out right after "The 40 Year Old Virgin" had captured the movie going public's affections. This film, in comparison, is like a string quartet. Its heart is in the right place and Mr. Showalter got excellent acting from his ensemble cast.
The director, like Woody Allen, just to mention another writer-creator, could have done better by staying behind the camera and casting his Elliot with another actor. Not that he doesn't do a good job, but perhaps he would have made Elliot a more lovable character than what comes in the screen.
Michelle Williams steals the film. This actress is amazing. She may not have the meatiest role, but she is someone who the viewer will remember in spite of the beautiful, and talented Elizabeth Banks, who plays the two-timing Caroline. Justin Theroux is Bradley, the boyfriend who couldn't stay away. Zak Orth, Paul Rudd, Havilland Morris, and especially Peter Dinklage, are all wonderful in supporting roles.
"The Baxter" is a delightful film thanks to the talented Michael Showalter who will no doubt will go far in whatever he decides to do next.
The action then goes back in flashbacks as to how Elliot and Caroline met. Elliot has employed a temp, Cecil Mills, who is new to Manhattan and is late for work because she got lost. Cecil and Elliot seem to strike a much balanced match, but the beauty of Caroline, when she enters the office erases all traces of the mousy Cecil from Elliot's mind, as he doesn't finish asking her for a concert that night.
As the preparations for the wedding get on the way, we realize Elliot and Caroline are not suited for one another. There is a hilarious gay wedding planner called Benson Hedges who will be in charge of the nuptials. Elliot in the end will be "the Baxter" of the title, because he is the man who will end up without getting the luscious Caroline.
This wonderful comedy written and directed by Michael Showalter, came and went without much fanfare. It deserved much better, but it might have been the timing for its release that killed all the possibilities, as it came out right after "The 40 Year Old Virgin" had captured the movie going public's affections. This film, in comparison, is like a string quartet. Its heart is in the right place and Mr. Showalter got excellent acting from his ensemble cast.
The director, like Woody Allen, just to mention another writer-creator, could have done better by staying behind the camera and casting his Elliot with another actor. Not that he doesn't do a good job, but perhaps he would have made Elliot a more lovable character than what comes in the screen.
Michelle Williams steals the film. This actress is amazing. She may not have the meatiest role, but she is someone who the viewer will remember in spite of the beautiful, and talented Elizabeth Banks, who plays the two-timing Caroline. Justin Theroux is Bradley, the boyfriend who couldn't stay away. Zak Orth, Paul Rudd, Havilland Morris, and especially Peter Dinklage, are all wonderful in supporting roles.
"The Baxter" is a delightful film thanks to the talented Michael Showalter who will no doubt will go far in whatever he decides to do next.