Wet Hot American Baxter

The Baxter
Starring: Michael Showalter, Michelle Williams, Paul Rudd, members of Stella/The State/Wet Hot American Summer
(MGM)

Like many people in their mid-20's, I remember watching this show on MTV called "The State," a sketch show that had much of the off center, comic bookish humor that I was accustomed to, and not the dumbed down variety like the early 90's run of "SNL." Unlike some of my same-aged peers, however, "The State" and its various sketch incarnations such as "Viva Variety" and like-minded "Upright Citizens Brigade" stays intact with vivid memories because I did not ravage my brain cells with drugs or multi-flavored Slurpees.

Many of "The State's" principal cast went on to other non-sketch comedy related projects like "Dawson's Creek," "I Love the 80's," and "Stella." In 2001, most of the cast reunited for an off-kilter camp comedy called "Wet Hot American Summer" and like "The State" it was massively insane and funny. With a second wind in their collective bodies, "The State" kids go at it again with "The Baxter."

A departure from the shock and shuck of "Wet Hot," "The Baxter" relies on the subtle and tepid humor of screwball comedies (see: "My Man Godfrey") and it's plot alone is unique. The story goes like this: in every great romantic comedy, there is always the "other person" (i.e. Tim Robbins in "High Fidelity" or Patrick Dempsey in "Sweet Home Alabama") that the romantic interest is obviously not right for. But when the credits roll and our protagonist gets the person they've coveted, what happens to the other person? "The Baxter," as coined by Michael Showalter's Elliot Sherman, is the jilted ex-lover, the person who is left at the altar in all those trite movies.

Like the title suggests, "The Baxter" attempts to follow life of this person after the credits have finished and the theater staff is sweeping the aisles.

Sherman is backed by an unlikely sidekick in Cecil Mills (Michelle Williams), who plays the kind of leading lady role that Merna Loy would've died for in her heyday. As the story unfolds, you find that everybody is a baxter to some degree, Elliot merely plays an exaggerated, archetypal version.

What I thought was so great about this film is that it didn't try to repeat the schtick of "Wet Hot American Summer." It's a cohesive film, easy on the eyes and on the heart. Though it's influenced by the films of yesteryear, it works in 21st century as well and doesn't undermine the intelligence of the audience.

"The Baxter" is a damn sweet movie and everybody should watch it once. At least before ingesting a large size Vanilla Coke Slurpee.