Rating: 
Summary: A touching film of one mans attempt to find himself.
Review: Warren Schmidt has just become retired, his company is being handed over to a young hooligan. He and his wife plan to see America in their new RV. But now his wife is dead and he questions himself and his past. His daughter is getting married to a watterbed salsemen with a family like poisones honey. He goes on a journey to find himself, and ends up finding a whole lot more.This is definately one of Nicholson's bests. A few funny scenes but very touching.
Rating: 
Summary: OKAY, WHO ARE YOU AND WHAT HAVE YOU DONE WITH JACK?
Review: I used to think that anything that Jack Nicholson touched turned to gold. About Schmidt proves that Nicholson is not the cinematic alchemist that was once believed he was. A grinding film, Schmidt attempts the human interest magic so characteristic of other Nicholson classics. Instead there is no story, no supporting acting, nothing memorable of any sort. You would think that a movie featuring Nicholson and Kathy Bates, two Academy Award-winning giants, would be a natural winner. Frankly, Bates was more interesting as a court reporter in Dick Tracy. And her hot tub scene in this film?well let's just say that I could have lived a long, long time and not been disappointed at missing a birthday-suited Bates joining Nicholson for a midnight chat amid the bubbles. Gratefully the scene went nowhere or it might have really gotten ugly. Nicholson is an absolute mess in this one. Don't waste your time with it and flee as fast as you can to Terms of Endearment or, better still, As Good As It Gets.
Rating:
Summary: Isn't it supposed to be bland?
Review: I mean, come on. The pale emotionless expression stuck to Jack's face in the opening scene as he stares at his office clock with an almost corpse-like demeanor should be enough of a hint that this isn't neccesarily an 'action packed' flick. It is, after all, a movie about a pathetic old man. Yes this is about an old man who feels he has nothing to show for his long life after he's retired, but it's really not as boring as it sounds. After a startling revelation about his deceased wife, Schmidt begins a soul-searching journey across country with the intent on preventing the marriage between his ungrateful spoiled daughter and the mullet-wearing waterbed salesman that she's chosen as a husband. And yes, it is as funny as it sounds.
Rating: 
Summary: Very Weak and Uneventful..
Review: Jack has done alot of great movies but this is definately the WORST one I've ever seen...Don't waste your time on this one.
Rating: 
Summary: " Dear Ndugu, I am writing now a review for About Schmidt "
Review: Very interesting and confusing film about 66 year old, just retired and widowed Mr.. Schmidt (Jack Nicholson). During this 2 hour long movie we find out much more about him not from what he is doing during the film but from his letters to Ndugu, some kid in Africa whom he decided to sponsor. Something like that:
" Dear Ndugu,
Last night I decided to rent few videos and watch it with my girlfriend Christa. She loves old British dramas and I was absolutely sure, that she is going to like this movie, called in America "About Schmidt". I don't now if you heard about it, but when you'll grow up nobody will remember this film so just don't worry about it.
An old retired Nebraskan taking off in a trailer and drives to Denver, for his daughter's wedding. I don't know if you heard anything about Denver, but they have very good hockey team "Avalanche". I bet you heard about them in your little village in Africa. During this very slow trip he explore himself and others. My girlfriend Christa liked this movie, but I have to make a comment. I gave it only 3 stars because during this 2 very long hours (not including 2 trips to the bathroom and one trip to the kitchen to grab a beer) I was waiting for something to happen. I was waiting for a reason why this movie was made. And guess what, my little friend Ndugu? Nothing happened at all and even two excellent actors, Jack Nicholson and Kathy Bates was not able to save this film.
I just whish that instead of spending $4 to rent this film, I would of send it to you, my dear Ndugu."
"russianwriter.net"
Rating:
Summary: It's about 2 hours longer than it should be
Review: I like Jack and his performance is quote good. However, that is not enough to save this bland, dull movie. In my view it is about 2 hours longer than it should be. Don't waste your time or money.
Rating:
Summary: Nothing new
Review: Hearing all the buzz about this movie, I went into it expecting something original. But it seems like they made the movie specifically for Oscar buzz. I know, it's based on a book that I haven't read, so I can't comment on that, but the movie brings forth no interesting points. There's nothing for me to chew on at the end of the movie, because I've seen it all before. Yes, the unexamined life is not worth living. I know this, you can at least present it to me in an interesting way. We just go through the motions of Schmidt's life and what eats at him. He hates that he's old. He doesn't know how to deal with his wife's death, or take care of himself after she's gone. He has a broken relationship with his daughter. All these things were presented with poignant music, expecting me to feel for him. But I don't. He's bland, the story is bland, and nothing was interesting. You might like it if you haven't seen many movies, but I've seen this story done before.
Rating:
Summary: Only Infrequently Credible
Review: This film was much less impressive when I saw it again recently than it was when first released. Then and now, given Nicholson's public persona as a quick-witted and articulate misanthrope, he seems miscast. (Not so as Melvin Udall in As Good as It Gets.) I find it almost impossible to believe that he really is Warren Schmidt, that he would marry and then remain married to a woman such as Helen (June Squibb), and that he would endure (with only a grimace) his prospective in-laws. Schmidt's relationship with a child whom he sponsors and to whom he writes a series of letters also seems contrived. I can see William H. Macy or perhaps John C. Reilly doing this but not Nicholson. Nonetheless, this film still has its moments, as when when Schmidt gazes at wife Helen asleep in bed next to him and asks "Who is this old woman who lives in my house?" Later, as he sleeps under the stars atop his camper-van and then when Roberta Hertzel (Kathy Bates) joins him in the hot tub. In my opinion, Bates and Hope Davis (Jeannie Schmidt) provide the strongest performances. There really isn't much to the plot. Lots of missed opportunities for biting satire or least fully-developed comic moments, especially during the wedding and reception to which director Alexander Payne devotes only brief attention. Schmidt's estrangement from his daughter is never satisfactorily explained nor is his domestic sloth after Helen's death. (A retired actuary, Warren Schmidt is renowned for fastidiousness in all areas of his life.) So many unanswered questions remain as the film ends. For whatever reasons, I have no interest in having them answered.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful and poignant
Review: This is one of Nicholson's finest performances. Subtle and flawless. The rest of the cast is supporting yet brilliant as well. But what will haunt you is how this is a taut, moving portrait of one man's realization of what his life has (or hasn't) meant. And while nothing is really tied up at the end, we are left with a sense of accomplishment. A remarkable, funny, important film.
Rating:
Summary: an unappreciated gem
Review: What an amazing movie! As 168 other fine people have summarized the movie already, I'll just touch on what I loved. This is the closest to experiencing someone elses life I can ever imagine. After going through some major losses in my family, I found the beginning to be espescially moving (the reference to the tray of cold-cuts is ingenious, and brings this home to anyone who has ever had to arrange a funeral) and did feel very much endeared to Schmidt, despite what other reviewers have said otherwise (dairy queen was priceless).
Kathy Bates is divine, and as my own mother is your quintessential horn-dog divorcee I will also say her performance was magnificent. OK, one and only gripe: the shooting star. After a movie pulls no punches, to have one of the single most cliched see-it-from-a-mile-away cop out scenes ever left a real sour taste, but the hummel figures sliding back and forth on the roof of the winnebago made up for it. This is a really great movie, obviously not a light-hearted comedy, for crying out loud, look at the friggin' cover?!?!? Don't go in with the wrong expectations and you're in for a treat; expect jack nicholson to be type-cast and caveat emptor.
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