'The Baxter'

Arrested development

FANS OF MICHAEL Showalter – he was a member of the late, great sketch comedy group the State, currently appears on Comedy Central's Stella, and cowrote and starred in Wet Hot American Summer – might find themselves perplexed by his directorial debut. A proudly old-fashioned love story, The Baxter introduces us to uptight tax accountant Elliot Sherman, a perennial "Baxter" – the film's terminology for a love triangle's odd man out, the poor slob frequently left adrift at the end of "old romantic movies," per Elliot's narration. That The Baxter aspires to be a contemporary spin on such movies is clear from the start. Also obvious: an unhappy finish to Elliot's relationship with the too-perfect Caroline (Elizabeth Banks), as well as the Hollywood ending he eventually gets with Cecil (Michelle Williams, whose quirky performance is the film's biggest boasting point). Other characters that enter the space between Ms. Wrong and Ms. Right include Caroline's skeevy ex-boyfriend Bradley (Justin Theroux, break-dancing for his art); Cecil's ill-suited beau (Paul Rudd); and Elliot's next-door neighbor (fellow Stella star Michael Ian Black). The Baxter has already earned comparisons to The 40-Year-Old Virgin, and not just because it has cast members Rudd and Banks in common. Both films feature a repressed, très prissy leading man – though Elliot's a more insecure, and less likable, hero. (The Baxter also foregoes any gross-out humor, which may not be a bad thing, though it ends up with far fewer laughs than Virgin). Ultimately, The Baxter is a sweet movie that demonstrates, if nothing else, that Showalter's aim is true. But for his next film, he might want to consider Cecil's advice for the too-careful Elliot: "You have to be willing to take risks." (Cheryl Eddy)