The Civilization of Maxwell Bright (2005)

User Rating:

6.6/10   

Director:

David Beaird

Writer (WGA):

David Beaird (written by)

Release Date:

28 September 2007 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot Keywords:

Buddhism | Mail Order Bride | Character Name In Title

Awards:

7 wins

Cast

Patrick Warburton	...	Max Bright
Marie Matiko	...	Mai Ling
Simon Callow	...	Mr. Wroth
Austin Pendleton	...	Jaurice
Jennifer Tilly	...	Dr. O'Shannon
Kurt Fuller	...	Berdette
Eric Roberts	...	Arlis
Keith Diamond	...	Jackson
Rick Mali	...	Timo
Constance Hsu	...	Mrs. Wroth
Bryan Clark	...	Justice of the Peace
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Monique Coppola	...	Gabby Client (scenes deleted)
Leland Crooke	...	Buddy DeHare
Cathryn de Prume	...	Helen
Nora Dunn	...	Mary Jane
Nicole Gian	...	Claudine
John Glover	...	Ogden
Carol Kane	...	Temple
Terence Knox	...	Officer Riggs
Missi Pyle	...	Cop
Renee Ridgeley	...	Amber
Paul Taegel	...	Hugo
Shawn David Thompson	...	David Law

Also Known As:

Sex & Violence (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated R for strong language including sexual references, some sexuality and graphic nudity.

Runtime:

USA:107 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Certification:

Australia:MA | USA:R | New Zealand:R18

Company:

Sneak Preview Entertainment

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: In at least two shots when Maxwell is supposed to be dead in his apartment, his lips and/or eyelids are seen moving.

Quotes:

Max Bright: What's there to discuss, because I 100% approve of Mai Ling, totally approve. So what's to discuss?
Mr. Wroth: Mai Ling has to approve of you.
Max Bright: Oh. Oh. Well, that's fair... What do I gotta do, drop my shorts?

The most surprising film I've seen so far this year

Excellent film about misogynist Maxwell Bright (Patrick Warburton) who, fed up with his dating history with American women, decides to get a mail order bride from China. Things go well for him at first as she appears as subservient as advertised, but when he embarrasses her (and himself) in front of his friends at a poker night, he finds that she is much more than just a prim and proper housewife. In fact, the gifts she has may even lead this unlikeable jerk to redemption.

Warburton gets to bust out of his usual monotonous character trappings and shows some serious depth and rage. The changes seen in Maxwell Bright are neither smooth nor immediate. He has a tendency to lash out verbally at any female in the vicinity, and his tirades are alternatively LOL funny and cringe-worthy for their cruelty. Marie Matiko plays the beautiful Mai Ling, Max's bride, with equal amounts dignity and strength. When Max finally makes his turn for the "better", the lessons learned are never preachy, and the story doesn't turn sentimental. Religion is dealt with in a mature manner that is a departure from most movies I've seen that have tread in that area. David Beaird's screenplay treats its characters and the audience with respect.

I went into this film thinking it was just going to be a cute little romantic comedy or fish-out-of-water story, but the plot twists taken are brave and eventually much more satisfying. This is not light-hearted fare. It's worthy of a wider release.