The Baxter (2005)

Genre: Comedy/Drama/Romance

Starring: Michael Showalter, Elizabeth Banks, Michelle Williams, Justin Theroux

If you thought your love life is messed up, you might want to know about the story of Elliot Sherman (Showalter). Elliot calls himself a baxter, or someone who has lost their girlfriend to her ex-boyfriend who casually walks back into her life and sweeps his lady love off her feet. Not once, but twice and it just happened the third time. Elliot was to marry Caroline (Banks) until her high school crush Bradley (Theroux) arrives at the wedding and proposes to her leaving Elliot in a position he is no stranger to. The movie flashes back and goes on to tell you exactly how this awkward situation arose and what comes thereafter. Cecil (Williams) is Elliot's temporary secretary whom he grows fond of and confines his fears of getting dumped again when he is all set to marry Caroline and bring her into his life. The movie builds on an interesting concept, different than what a normal romance comedy would be and attempts at being realistic rather than being idealistic. The movie suffers with being slow and stretched and since it gives away the climax at the very beginning, you know exactly what to expect and hence one is simply expected to enjoy the journey till the end. That, sadly does not happen and your thankful the movie is over rather than getting up with a broad smile and a sense of enjoyment.

Thumbs up: Good idea to explore upon

Thumbs down: Stretched, slow and boring

Rating: 5.7/10