THE BAXTER (2005) ** Michael Showalter, Elizabeth Banks, Michelle Williams, Justin Theroux, Michael Ian Black, Peter Dinklage, Paul Rudd. So-so rom-comedy of manners with Showalter (who wrote and directed) as the titular doofus whose life-long suffering as a nerd who cannot grow a spine when it comes to matters of the heart finds his latest challenge in the form of his fiancée's long-lost high school beau (Theroux), while his office temp friend (the sunny and welcome Williams) offers him more than a shoulder to cry on when said fiancée (the underused Elisabeth Shue doppelganger Banks) fails to see his true emotions. A few amusing moments but Showalter's cartoony turn grates most of the time.
Review of The Baxter
