| The Baxter | |
|---|---|
| |
| Directed by | Michael Showalter |
| Produced by | Reagan Silber Galt Niederhoffer |
| Written by | Michael Showalter |
| Starring | Michael Showalter Elizabeth Banks Michelle Williams |
| Distributed by | IFC Films |
| Release date(s) | 24 April 2005 (premiere) |
| Running time | 91 min |
| Language | English |
| IMDb profile | |
The Baxter is a 2005 film written and directed by Michael Showalter of Stella. 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 is made of showing Showalter as a "Baxter" in several typical romantic comedy clichés; for instance, he is shown being left 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 produced and financed the film. They gave the film a very limited release; it had a U.S. box office gross of $181,872[1]
- Tagline: A romantic comedy for anyone who's ever been dumped.
Cast
- Michael Showalter – Elliot Sherman
- Elizabeth Banks – Caroline Swann
- Michelle Williams – Cecil Mills
- Justin Theroux – Bradley Lake
- Peter Dinklage – Benson Hedges
- Michael Ian Black – Ed
- David Wain – Louis Lewis
- Paul Rudd – Dan Abbott
- Joe Lo Truglio – Baxter Friend
Trivia
The name of Michael Ian Black's character references the sitcom Ed, on which he played a recurring character, and his wife's name Stella references the comedy group that consists of Black, Showalter, and David Wain.
