Introduction"The Baxter" is a 2005 romantic funny movie directed by Michael Showalter. The film, including Showalter, Elizabeth Banks, Michelle Williams, and Justin Theroux among others, checks out love, relationships, and the drama leading up to the altar. The term 'Baxter' refers to the character always left in romantic stories-- the safe and trusted option that the heroine discards for her real, more interesting, love.
Plot OverviewShowalter plays Elliot Sherman, an accounting professional who self-identifies as a 'Baxter': the kind of man who never gets the woman. He's preparing to marry Caroline Swann, played by Elizabeth Banks, however is haunted by his history of being left by women for their ex-lovers. As Elliot internalizes his anxiety, Caroline's old high-school beau Bradley, played by Justin Theroux, appears, producing the best setup for history to repeat itself.
In the meantime, Elliot hires a temporary secretary, Cecil Mills, a wacky and charmingly awkward lady played by Michelle Williams. Cecil is genuinely thinking about Elliot and his work, unlike Caroline who is preoccupied with social status and wedding event preparations.
Character DevelopmentElliot is a quintessential 'Baxter,' constantly playing it safe, being polite, and normally being dull. Cecil, on the other hand, is authentic, thoughtful and a lot more fascinating for her peculiarities and originality. She values Elliot's trustworthy traits and is the one who truly enjoys him for who he is. On the other hand, Caroline is a rather shallow and materialistic character, who gets swayed by Bradley's beauty and affluence.
Climax & ResolutionThe climax of "The Baxter" takes place at Elliot's and Caroline's wedding event when Bradley disrupts to proclaim his love for Caroline. Doing the same, Caroline leaves Elliot at the altar, showing his fear of being a 'Baxter.' Elliott goes off to find Cecil, who by coincidence will board a train to Vermont. Lost in his thoughts, Elliott doesn't acknowledge her in the beginning however when he does, he stops her from boarding the train. They share a passionate kiss, revealing that there can be romantic success even for a 'Baxter.' Elliot winds up with Cecil, who releases him from his afraid mold, showing that even 'Baxters' can get their happy endings.
Conclusion"The Baxter" is a film that twists the normal quiet-before-the-storm circumstance which regularly threatens cinematic romance. Showalter's movie is a light-hearted and remarkably relatable take on the dilemma of discovering the 'right' love. It features a third-lead character frequently overlooked in romantic comedies and effectively portrays a humorous, bitter-sweet story of unrequited love from the 'Baxter's' perspective. It motivates us to cherish credibility and appreciate common people who love extremely.
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