The Civilization of Maxwell Bright

R

2005

1h 47m

Drama

List

Reviews

69%

Audience Score

500+ Ratings

After a bad breakup, Maxwell Bright (Patrick Warburton), a diehard male chauvinist, declares he is fed up with dating and decides to buy a mail-order bride from China. When she arrives, Mai Ling (Marie Matiko) is quiet and submissive, but Maxwell cannot stop his piggish ways. After continued abuse, Mai Ling reveals she is actually a Buddhist nun, sent to America in place of her sister. After this, Max has an epiphany and devotes himself to making Mai Ling happy.

Read More

Read Less

Los Angeles Times

You have to wonder what David Beaird, writer-director of the execrable The Civilization of Maxwell Bright, was thinking when he created his abusive, misogynistic title character.

Rated: 1/5

Oct 12, 2007

Full Review

Sam Sweet

L.A. Weekly

Given to misogynistic outbursts that border on the psychotic, Maxwell Bright (Patrick Warburton) is as unlikable as movie heroes come, yet director David Beaird insists there is Zen within this modern Neanderthal.

Oct 11, 2007

Full Review

Steve Rhodes

Internet Reviews

An entertaining roller coaster of a ride.

Rated: 2.5/4

Mar 21, 2005

Full Review

Read all reviews

Audience Member

If you let this one in, it'll surprise you.. Might even improve your life!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/02/23

Full Review

Audience Member

After Watching this, I looked around for some small animals to kick or beat. What garbage. His wife should have poisoned him , to help speed the ending.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

01/20/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Spiritual sleeper of the decade. Truly a hell-to-heaven journey. The hell part requires you to withstand extreme vulgarity; but the heaven part makes up for it. Includes a stunning cameo by John Glover.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/12/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Story of finding peace within with help coming from unexpected places. Warburton is up to the demands of the lead but the character for most of the film's running time is an immensely off putting jerk. Carol Kane shows up for a few brief minutes to offer up a charming little performance.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/27/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Buddhism, love, forgiveness, and redemption... this movie was simply beautiful.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/28/23

Full Review

Audience Member

American book of the dead

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/14/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

David Beaird

Director

Patrick Warburton

Max Bright

Marie Matiko

Mai Ling

Eric Roberts

Arlis

Carol Kane

Actor

Simon Callow

Mr. Wroth

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

Fox Searchlight Digs the "Phat Girlz"

View more photos

Synopsis

After a bad breakup, Maxwell Bright (Patrick Warburton), a diehard male chauvinist, declares he is fed up with dating and decides to buy a mail-order bride from China. When she arrives, Mai Ling (Marie Matiko) is quiet and submissive, but Maxwell cannot stop his piggish ways. After continued abuse, Mai Ling reveals she is actually a Buddhist nun, sent to America in place of her sister. After this, Max has an epiphany and devotes himself to making Mai Ling happy.

Director: David Beaird
Producer: Steven J. Wolfe
Screenwriter: David Beaird
Production Co: Sneak Preview Entertainment
Rating: R (Strong Language|Graphic Nudity|Some Sexuality|Sexual References)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 20, 2017
Runtime: 1h 47m