A young American boy unable to overcome a speech defect is disturbed by the constant bickering of his parents, and when they get divorced, he slides into an emotional breakdown.A young American boy unable to overcome a speech defect is disturbed by the constant bickering of his parents, and when they get divorced, he slides into an emotional breakdown.A young American boy unable to overcome a speech defect is disturbed by the constant bickering of his parents, and when they get divorced, he slides into an emotional breakdown.
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Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaBoth Scott Jacoby and Sally Thomsett were substantially older than the early-teen characters they play.
- Quotes
[Roger's mother is ranting and raving, and slaps Roger's face when he won't talk to her after suffering a nervous breakdown. Dr Clemm slaps Mrs Baxter's face to shock her out of her rage]
Dr. Roberta Clemm: [quietly but menacingly] I hate violence, Mrs Baxter, and tomorrow I'm going to hate myself for this, but right now I warn you if you so much as move, I'm going to break you into little pieces.
- ConnectionsReferences Casablanca (1942)
- SoundtracksI Won't Dance
(uncredited)
Music by Jerome Kern with original lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II and revised lyrics by Dorothy Fields, Otto A. Harbach and Jimmy McHugh
Performed by Jean-Pierre Cassel
We are seeing several key factors in this movie: an American boy whose character seems to jar against the European people's character, dysfunctional and abusive parental relations, a boy's inability to cope with his problems and the tragedy of losing a dear friend. This movie does touch upon some very poignant issues and some of the scenes are underlined in progressing the overall pathos of his situation. Baxter is certainly not dealing with anything extraordinary or even insurmountable. These problems are pretty common among families and youth of today. But what makes this movie so special is how it presents them and treats them with compassion. It's rare, if not nonexistent, in movies today. The manner in which this couple befriend and show love for this boy will truly warm your heart. And Britt Eckland was definitely a sight to behold. Patricia Neal is convincing and correctly dominant in her role to protect this young man from his mother and put him under her care and supervision. The climactic ending has a physical confrontation with the boy's mother and his Mrs. Clemm as Mrs. Clemm fights the boy's abusive mother over gaining rights to have him hospitalized due to his acute anxiety that has stricken him. a series of disappointing events including the death of his model friend, Chris, is what has put him over the brink of mental breakdown.
This movie is quite dated with its production values. The director uses echoing sound effects during Baxter's moments of fear and psychosis as we have extreme zoom in and out close ups of adults talking at him. This is supposed to magnify how often people are unable to connect with those who are under severe mental breakdowns. There's also a couple of charming scenes where (Chris) strikes fashionable modeling poses while Baxter mimes camera shooting, and another where Baxter and (French Roger) prepare a Lobster feast for his girlfriend. We don't see this type of bittersweet drama anymore and perhaps it may not be marketable in today's pop-culture. I also doubt that this obscure film will resurface in any way except for nostalgic people who have a faint memory of Baxter! and find this on youtube. But Baxter is something that remains in the recesses of my mind.
- imbluzclooby
- Aug 13, 2016
Details
- Release date
- Countries of origin
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- Also known as
- The Boy
- Filming locations
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime1 hour 40 minutes
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1
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