EffettoKirlian
Baxter is a French movie inspired by Ken Greenhall's Hell Hound novel. Set in Belgian suburbs, it revolves around the relation between a dog called Baxter and his owners – those he calls "the humans". Indeed, this is a dog that thinks and speaks aloud! But, far from being a Scooby Doo or a Beethoven, Baxter's behavior is far more realistic, and beastly. As we soon discover, Baxter is a creature with a strong character and distinct tastes, which will lead the story in unexpected directions.The narration is structured in an initial prologue followed by three segments, one for each of Baxter's owners. The movie is occasionally humorous, but overall very dark and serious. It explores the beastly spirit found in animals as well as in humans, and the joys and sorrows of a discipline of obedience. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Michael Neumann
A maladjusted bull terrier finds the perfect master in a psychotic suburban teenage boy who, when he isn't slapping his hand on thumbtacks to teach himself pain, is busy building a scale replica of Hitler's bunker. Needless to say, the star of this unusual French novelty item is a far cry from Lassie, and the already perverse scenario is made even more strange by maintaining the dog's point of view, with voice-over narration by Baxter himself, a device that could only have worked in a subtitled film. It all adds up to a small cautionary fable about the consequences of neglect and cruelty, to both animals and children, with an implicit critique of fascism summed up by Baxter's last words: "never be obedient". The moral is clear, but the message is mixed, because Baxter's obedience is already selective: his primitive canine instincts can sometimes override his training. But the film certainly has cult potential, and with a concise running time of only 82 minutes it won't likely tax anyone's patience.
fertilecelluloid
Chilling, brooding, low key adaptation of the extraordinary Ken Greenhall/Jessica Hamilton novel about an evil, cynical bull terrier (Baxter) who moves from owner to owner (killing as he goes) until he finds the Master of his dreams, a small boy with Third Reich ambitions. Just as Hamilton's novel, 'Elizabeth', examined the nature and allure of evil, so does "Baxter". As the novel was narrated by the dog, so is this film. The voice-over, in fact, is that of an old, mean-spirited man whose tone is one of despair and malice.Director Jerome Boivin creates a bleak world for Baxter to exist in, a world the dog slips quite easily into. Baxter, like many creatures, has a talent for altering his demeanor to suit the moment or Master's needs. He is occupied with doggy pursuits also, of course, but, at heart, he is an opportunist who feels nothing but contempt for four- and two-legged animals.The score, by Marc Hillman and Patrick Roffé, is extremely spare. At times, we hear only a strange "blip" or single, resonating note on the soundtrack. Cinematography by Yves Angelo has a reddish, saturated interior tint and a bluish exterior one. Performances are measured and fascinating. Lise Delamare as Madame Deville makes an impression.The overall tone of "Baxter" is disturbing and some viewers will be upset by the brutal (faked, of course) animal cruelty. The film is devoid of light, but rich in atmosphere, suspense and revelation. A scene involving a baby in jeopardy is powerful and unnerving.A minor masterpiece.
philomise-2
I thought this movie was wickedly delicious at times, but at the same time is was downright depressing and had that feel of a car accident that you know you shouldn't be watching, but you keep your eyes glued to it anyway feel.Perhaps I'm a fool, but here's my major complaint: I could not tell that this was such a dark movie just from the box. I picked it up at the video rental store thinking it would be some kind of cute flick about a dog doing social commentary. The box neglected to mention that it was a sick existential journey into the mind of a sociopathic pit bull who lives only to serve himself and destroy others.I'll grant that the movie was hilarious in one part where Baxter is shown a baby and he comments on how disgusting this "bag of flesh" is. With lines like, "I thought they were trying to apologize to me for this mess they had conceived," you can't help but crack up. As for the rest of the movie though, I found myself shifting around uncomfortably a great deal more.
AD
