Michael Showalter,
Elizabeth Banks,
Michelle Williams,
Justin Theroux,
Zak Orth
... see more 
A man with a "doormat" personality tries standing up for himself for a change in this comedy. Mild mannered tax accountant Elliot Sherman (Michael Showalter) is what he calls a "Baxter": the kind of c... read more
DVD Release Date: December 13, 2005
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Stats: 622 reviews
Your Rating
Flixster Reviews (622)
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August 29, 2010CUTE! Peter Dinklage completely stole the movie, as he always does. Michelle Williams is adorable, as she always is. Very cute and offbeat.
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August 14, 2009this low-key comedy invents a culture of upscale WASP nerddom that Showalter gets to act out with the maximum mannerisms; Rudd and Banks are unfortunately diminished, mostly by mediocre dialogue; a major step forward in portraying the ultra-cool romantic rival as shallow and tire... read more
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November 6, 2006One of the most underrated movies ever. If you liked The State you'll definitely like this.
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June 13, 2008I found this movie to be realistic, and fictional at the same time, but mostly realistic. The movie is funny, and has black humor, but definitely worth watching.
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April 29, 2008Pretty bad. Michele Williams and Michael Ian Black are kind are fun to see but other than that, it's brutal and unfunny.
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September 11, 2011Written, Directed, and Starring Michael Showalter (of Stella), this average comedy makes fun of the standard character in romantic comedies, that guy who is always dating the girl that the leading man must steal away. It is a decent concept, and the movie is funny enough. It wa... read more
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August 14, 2009Showalter has a crude mise-en-scene, but that's all you need when you have such a pitch perfect script and characterizations. He skirts a fine line between convention and absurdism and does so beautifully. Michelle Williams gives an outstanding performance, and Showalter gives th... read more
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July 12, 2008Awesome movie. I fell bad for those Baxter's out there. Cecil was a better match for Elliot. Caroline just seemed self centered. Movie was really good. Had it's funny moments. And best of all Paul Rudd was in it, I didn't even know he was in it.
Critic Reviews
April 6, 2010
J. R. Jones, Chicago Reader
September 29, 2005
Jeff Strickler, Minneapolis Star Tribune
Showalter tackles his mission with energy and an upbeat attitude that makes him a winner as a lovable loser. Full Review
September 24, 2005
Wesley Morris, Boston Globe
Only when Williams is around does the movie seem human, true, and funny: Even in her slapstick there's pain. She's almost too good: It's not until she's left a scene that you realize the movie isn't w... Full Review
September 22, 2005
Bill Muller, Arizona Republic
There are enough laughs that those who enjoyed The 40-Year-Old Virgin might want to take The Baxter for a whirl. Full Review
September 16, 2005
Desson Thomson, Washington Post
Showalter all-too-slavishly follows the lock-step school of formula romance. Full Review
September 16, 2005
Tom Long, Detroit News
Mildly cute while thoroughly forgettable, the chief achievement of The Baxter is it serves to remind viewers how thoroughly adorable Michelle Williams can be, even in something this inconsequential.
September 16, 2005
John Monaghan, Detroit Free Press
The Baxter has many of the ingredients of a good-natured indie date movie. But when the lead performance isn't one of them, it gets difficult to recommend.
September 16, 2005
Michael Booth, Denver Post
The Baxter is a self-conscious one-man show that obliterates the fine line between 'quirky' and 'annoying.' Full Review
September 15, 2005
Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer
No great shakes, The Baxter nonetheless has a quiet loopiness going for it.
September 15, 2005
Bob Townsend, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
While trying really hard to make Elliot a lovable loser, Showalter too often just renders him shrill and annoying. Full Review
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The Baxter
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