BAXTER
A film review by Thomas E. Billings
Copyright 1991 Thomas E. Billings
Synopsis: The story of a dog, a bull terrier, who goes through a succession of owners in search of an authoritarian master. A black comedy/satire that explores the strange things that people do. The film is thought-provoking, but not very entertaining.
France (English subtitles), color, 1991, 82 minutes. Director: Jerome Boivin
The screenplay for this film was written by the Director and Jacques Audiard, and is based on the novel "Hell Hound", by Ken Greenhall. (I haven't read the book, so cannot comment on how the film relates to the book). The film is the story of Baxter, a dog, a bull terrier. Perhaps I should identify the bull terrier breed; the dog in the beer ads, "Spuds McKenzie, Party Animal", is a bull terrier.
The story is told from Baxter's viewpoint, with extra scenes added that Baxter does not appear in, to complete the story. Some scenes are shot from Baxter's point of view, i.e., close to the ground. The story is narrated by Baxter, who relates his thoughts and plans.
The story begins as Baxter is taken from a breeding kennel and given to an old woman. Baxter quickly tires of living with the old woman, because he wants discipline; he wants to obey, and the old woman will not discipline him. Baxter looks across the street at the young couple moving in; their liveliness and strong smells excite him.
The old woman suffers from two mysterious accidents (were they arranged by Baxter?), and Baxter is given to the young couple. That arrangement does not last, and Baxter is given to a new, perhaps ideal owner: a young teenage boy with a Nazi fetish! The story continues as Baxter is disciplined by his new owner, who constructs a replica of Hitler's bunker in the junkyard that he plays in.
The film has some black comedy in it, and at times becomes a sharp satire on human relations and customs. Unfortunately, the film is not very entertaining; there is not much humor. Indeed, one local newspaper mini-review described it as a horror film (in some ways it is).
However, the film gives a rich insight into the personality of Baxter, and the craziness of humanity. There are layers of social commentary present, in allegorical form, to analyze. Inasmuch as Baxter is searching for someone to obey, his relationship with people can be seen as an allegory of the "fatal attraction" humanity has with totalitarianism. An alternate view is that Baxter, with his strong need to be controlled, is the "ideal citizen" for whom social and political activists are only too happy to provide control.
Because the film is not very entertaining, I would not suggest it to a general audience. If you want a film to analyze for its layers of social comment, it is worth considering.
Distribution. Now in its first U.S. theatrical run. Playing in the San Francisco area; should be available in other areas also.
Reviewer contact: teb@stat.Berkeley.EDU
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