About Schmidt

Rating:
Summary: About Schmidt . . . About Time
Review: I admit it was a bit jarring when Jack Nicholson is first revealed in this film alongside his senior citizen wife. "Are my eyes deceiving me?" I thought. "This is Jack Nicholson, Hollywood satyr, squire of Lara Flynn Boyle, bad boy with a golf club!" But then it dawned on me. No, this ISN'T Nicholson; this really is Schmidt, Warren Schmidt.

Playing his real age, and not his PR reputation, Nicholson embodies a character who is finally coming to grips with his purpose in the universe. Having spent a lifetime in insurance, married to a woman who has become his jailer/nanny, Schmidt has played by the conventional rules. He put in his years on the job (valiantly staying until the stroke of Five on his final day)and has raised a daughter. Still, he wonders what is life all about.

After his wife's unexpected, sudden death, he starts out on a road trip. Ostensibly, it's a way to get to his daughter's wedding in Colorado, an event that he bitterly opposes. Cinematically, it's a journey like the one that "Harry & Tonto," "Thelma & Louise," and the bikers from "Easy Rider" set off on. He's journeying outward to discover what's within.

I know that sounds all "hippie-dippy" and New Age, but it isn't. The people that Schmidt encounters along his route to Denver teach him about his weaknesses, his flaws, and his lack of purpose. Ronald Reagan once joked that "an unexamined life IS worth living." No, not true at all.

Schmidt considers his role in the world, and he faces down his moment of truth at his daughter's reception. Nicholson's performance as Schmidt trying to give a toast to his daughter's future, while simultaneously warning her about her impending doom, is beautiful and comical and uncomfortable to behold. It's perfect acting.

The supporting players are all excellent. Kathy Bates nails her role as a woman who disports herself as though she were Cleopatra, a deluded would-be artist who thinks she is sophisticated and a siren. She's neither. She's bossy, loudmouthed, rude, and without boundaries.

Hope Davis as Nicholson's daughter and the bride-to-be is not an object of sympathy. Though her father thinks she's selling herself short, her character seems determined (and happy) about becoming part of her new in-laws' clan. Dermot Mulroney (almost unrecognizable in his odd mullet hairstyle)is goofy, airheaded, a tad spaced-out, yet he truly loves his fiancee. He is also a huge proponent of self-help books and get-rich-quick schemes. Though he comes across as a T-shirted loser at first glance, there seems to be more to him beneath is button-down flannel shirt.

A good film, a grand look at everyone who gets up in the morning and loses their way throughout the day--basically it's an examination of all of us. Does one life matter? Schmidt's recently acquired African orphan ("adopted" through a TV Childreach advertisement) would say yes. His thank-you letter to Schmidt closes out this well-made Alexander Payne film. The African lad and Payne teach us that it's not just about having a lot of money and retirement years on our hands, it's how we mold and meld it. It's about time.

Rating:
Summary: It's about Growing old
Review: We will have to meet that time in our lives when our long careers are over, and we go back home and find what was there when we were gone. Your reaction depends on what kind of a person you were when you were in your prime. Warren Schmidt (a pitch perfect Jack Nicholson) goes home after spending his life, not just his career, working for Mutual of Omaha insurance company, and finds that his 40 year marriage is anything but enjoyable, his life now in neutral because he has no purpose with no job. A fact pointed out in a hilarious letter to his sponsored child. But when his wife suddenly dies, Schmidt realizes he has to take control of his life. He does so by going on a road trip throughout Nebraska (yes it is that bland, I live in Omaha) to find his roots and reconnect to his daughter, who is going to marry a blatant underachievng loser from Denver, and whose mother (kathy bates at her most provacative) brings a load to Schmidt's as well.

The movie was overlooked by the oscars, which is a kind of travesty. Everything about this movie holds substance in its hand, especially the acting. Jack of course is the best, as he challenges himself not to once cruise on his trademark sarcastic attitude. The result is a compelling portrait of the American Everyman, and Jack quietly charges the Character with nuanced emotion. Now the acting was not overlooked, but writer/director Alexander Payne and fellow screenwriter Jim Taylor. They both crafted one of the best scripts I have ever seen put to the screen, and Paynes' directing shows restraint, but also real power. The movie will have you talking far into the night.

Rating:
Summary: About to fall asleep
Review: One thing is rather certain: people who will like this movie will be people either as shallow as the script or Nicholson fanatics who are in denial and refuse to believe that Jack starred in such a mediocre film.
But more to the point: a film that intends to show a man pondering about the pointlessness and vanity of his life as he reaches retirement should be an excellent vehicle for an actor of the caliber of Nicholson, right?
Should be, yes, but that would only work if the script was equal to an in-depth character study (which this script is far from) and the story in general wouldn't compete with sleeping pills.
Riddled with cliches, and bombarded with uninspired lines, the scipt -to begin with- is a total failure. As Nicholson starts contemplating his life, his marriage, and his choices, his wife dies leaving him to make probably the most important choice of his life: to rediscover himself. And what does Nicholson's character do? He jumps on a Winnebago and starts wandering about meeting other pointless characters having pointless conversations and drinking beer . The only thing he rediscovers is the highway (albeit a small part of it...)
Nicholson seems to be dragged down by the numbingly flat script and gives a below par performance. In all honesty: were it not for Nicholson starring in this flick would there be any reason to remember it for? Absolutely not and even that is not enough of a motive to go see this.
In fact, all the characters in the movie are unimaginative, boring, super-insignificant.. All, with the exception of Cathy Bates who is salvaged because of a couple of vibrant punchlines.
Included are gimmicks such as the one where big Jack is updating an african kid about the developments in his life (to whom he's come in contact through a charity) by writting letters to him. This is utilised so we hear the character's thoughts as his life goes into turmoil but instead we get more boredom.
The letters to "Ndugu" are used to introduce a humorous feeling to it all but that doesn't work either as the humor is B-level stuff at best.
Perhaps the only thing that's truly funny about this film is that it caused oscar nominations. Go figure..
Save your time for something, anything, else. Watch some paint dry. Watch a fly walk in circles instead. You'll be better off.

Rating:
Summary: Not a promising picture of older age
Review: As many of the former reviewers discussed the film's content, I would like to comment about several other aspects of this movie - First of all how refreshing it is to see a movie about older people and not to see another group of gorgeous young actors. Although I am not close to this age yet I think that many people around me, including myself, live their lives preparing for the "retirement day" in the sense they make decisions which are aimed at "wanting to feel good about my life when I look back on it". People are afraid of the day when you will need to answer to YOURSELF how you feel about the choices you made. The attempt this movie makes at trying to deal with this issue is noteworthy.
The film does not leave you with a good feeling. One of the former reviewers has already noted that this is one film he is going to avoid watching again. I feel this is true - not because this is not a good film but as it deals with feelings you do not wish to feel: bitterness, despair, a sense of no direction, hopelessness and a lot of anger. A feeling that there is so little you can do to change... although presented by some as a comedy I think the only comic parts serve as a true "comic relief" when the diretor chose to let you laugh rather then cry (people at the theater laughed every time the words "Dear Ndugu..." were heard, but I don't think anyone really thought it is funny to have a far away 6 year old as your only close soul). Schmidt's character undergoes several stages of mourning - a mourning about his personal "lost life" - a life that was wasted in many aspects including lack of real communication, lack of love and a no real connection to people - not even those closest to him; a mourning of his inability to influence, to change (his daughter's marriage decision stands out in this regard - she is so indifferent to her father's opinion she does not even bother to ask what are his reasons)and also a mourning of Helen, his dead wife whose loss raises so many conflicting emotions - until a final "reconciliation" with her memory is acheived in the "night outside". However, this is not a reconcilliation the "Hollywood style". You do not feel that Schmidt looks back at Helen's memory with loving eyes. Helen's loss seems to me more of "Schmidt's loss of himself as he knew himself" rather then her loss as a unique person. Her loss forces Schmidt to think what HE wants to do now that she is gone, as she was probably the one who made the plans for their future and the caravan tour (which he did not seem to be so happy about). A scene that did not seem to get a lot of attention is the scene where Warren Schmidt visits his fellow campers and joins in on their meal in what seems to start as a heart warming scene of Schmidt finally reaching out and connecting to other people; this scene quickly turns into another case of miscommunication where Schmidt is overwhelmed by Vicki's ability to "see through him" and interprets her friendliness as an advance or maybe is so overcome by himself he reacts in the only "closeness" act he knows. His act causes such rejection he has no choice but to run away. This scene is also a good example of how truly unexpected this movie is. The scenes take an unexpected twist and are never what you expect. I for example was exepcting Schmidt to reach some sort of reconcilliation and understanding of his daughter's motives (re her marriage) and maybe some understanding of how her emotion-empty childhood led her to look for a warm (if somewhat crazy) family such as Randal's where Roberta and Larry, Randal's divorced parents and their constant fighting seem "more married" then Warren and Helen ever were - however, this is not what happens. Schmidt understands he has to put on a social show, which he succeeds in doing at jeannie's wedding. He hides his real thoughts and gives Randal's family a welcoming speech. But maybe this can be seen as a "growing up" scene?

Rating:
Summary: One Life Does Make a Difference.
Review: Before the final minutes of this movie, I did not like ABOUT SCHMIDT. The movie is real and true to life, so much so that it is depressing and almost painful to watch. It's almost like watching a documentary about a man whose life is ebbing away. There is a subtle dark comedy beneath the surface, but that humor fails to balance the lonely desolation and buoy the film from depression. It isn't until the film's final moments that everything comes together and the catharsis is made complete. One life does make a difference and life truly is beautiful.

Jack Nicholson pulls off one of the finer performances of his career playing title character Warren Schmidt. Nicholson isn't allowed to display the maniac inensity that has become his trademark characteristic and instead contains it, forcing it to stay below the surface, embodying the lonely frustration Schmidt feels, but fails to vent.

The other performances in the movie are good, but none as noteworthy of Nicholson's. Kathy Bates' really doesn't do much and just because she takes her clothes off doesn't give her a better performance.

A dark, deep, thought-provoking movie worth watching.

Rating:
Summary: I Don't Want to Know Schmidt
Review: I went to this movie because I love Kathy Bates and Jack Nicholson. It's a slow moving depressing movie. I have NO idea what the academy was thinking when they nominated those two for Oscars for this film. Kathy Bates gets one for going naked and Jack Nicholson gets one for crying? If you have to see this film wait and rent it don't waste your money.

Rating:
Summary: Jack is great
Review: I am from Omaha, so that is one of the reasons why I saw this movie. I pretty much laughed the whole way through. I don't like to say too much about the plot b/c there are already a lot of reviews on the actual storyline and everyone has probably seen the previews. Go see this movie or rent it when it comes out on DVD. It is supposed to be a comedy, but in many places it is a drama.

Rating:
Summary: Don't let the trailer fool you...
Review: into thinking that "About Schmidt" is merely a comedy.

Granted, there are plenty of laughs sprinkled liberally throughout this movie. You can laugh yourself silly just by looking at Dermot Mulroney (and his startling hairdo), cast against type, as the son-in-law to be that every father would try to get out of his little girl's life..what a loser!

There is only one thing funnier than Nicholson trying to get comfortable going to be on a waterbed without the baffles, and that's watching him wake up after a night of "sleep" on the damn bed. There are so many moments of not only wry humor, but physical comedy from Nicholson, moments that stop just short of being slapstick. And yet, we are utterly invested in Nicholson as a dour retired actuary with a simmering layer of rage and disappointment in his life, just below the surface.

About Schmidt is a tour de force for Nicholson, and even the incredible Daniel Day Lewis should fall short of the Oscar in comparison to JN in this complex role. Nicholson is alone on film for much of the movie, in his genteel, out of style residence, or on the open blank screen that is the Midwestern highway. It is a "coming of age" film for a 66 year old man, who is facing the realities of his ordinary life for perhaps the first time. Prior to this, he always had his job to sustain him. Not for one moment can you pity Nicholson (cast as Warren Schmidt), because you know of his secret life....

That's the one where he is the sponsor and "foster father" of Ngudu, a six year old African Child. Schmidt's letters to this child are the only place where he does not suppress his anger and sense of helplessness at the way his life turned out.

And it is this sense of helplessness, almost a wistfulness, that the film is truly about. Warren has to gulp back his distaste for his daughter's (Hope Davis) upcoming marriage. If she goes through with it, will she have even less of a life than he did? Davis gives us a skilled picture of the sense of exasperation that most adult children have with their parents.

Nicholson is the most skilled actor of his generation. Argue Anthony Hopkins and Sean Connery if you will - Nicholson is blessed with a face that can convey whatever he wishes it to. He's willing to act in farce and physical comedy as well as drama and action, and these types of comedy have given us some of the finest performances of his career.

He's not alone here; in addition to fine work by Mulroney and Davis, he's joined by character actors Kathy Bates and the delightful Howard Hesseman. They are outstanding and believable as "fringe" baby boomers.

As for the film quality - the editing sometimes misses its mark, but it is a gem, although probably too sad and depressing for some. Small touches of irony revolve around things like Schmidt's dead wife, Helen, who was a terrific housewife, but even she had folded baskets of laundry scattered throughout the various rooms of the house. How many of us do not?

There's a ton of symbolism in the film as well - none better than the feature near film's end on the historical bridge monument at Kearney, Nebraska. It helps Schmidt put all of our comfortable lives in perspective - when we compare our difficulties with those of the pioneers before us.

There aren't enough words to convey how fine a movie is "About Schmidt". You will walk away much richer than when you entered the theater.

Rating:
Summary: "SHINING THRU!"
Review: We've had "The Long Long Trailer"; "Harry and Tonto"; "The Rain People" amongst other things, but our Boy Mr. Jack Nicholson adds yet another facet to the 'on the road' movie - although this one's a little more about that 'space' between retirement and ...... 'the end'. June Squibb is the Missus - like a misplaced Good Fairy, she cleans up, fixes, mops and cooks whilst hubby - Mr. Schimidt - brought in the bacon - the only offspring - a daughter seems just so slightly, err .... distant.
[The Chilly but very practical Hope Davis - excellent!!]

HOWEVER, this is a slow but enjoyable journey with Jack - mainly happening after wife's untimely demise - and the subsequent revelations thereafter.

As the odd potential Inlaws - Kathy Bates illuminates as the eternal Earthmother - the rest of the family being close cousins of the Manson clan or possibly "Texas Chainsaw Massacre" - but the benevolent kind. Howard Hesseman shines as one of the ex-husbands .....

DERMOT MULROONEY? Just want to hug this bemulleted albeit slightly balding doofus [with ever-changing facial hair] and take him home - not a bad bone in that body - SO overlooked for Supporting Actor!!!

TECH credits are excellent expecially the Art Direction [the Bates home - complete with MichaelAngelo-obligatory stutuary ..... and the subtle and so spot-on costumes.

Music? Great score with a nod to Erik Satie.

Lovely, mood movie - leaves one positivie - and SO wanting to meet Jack's foreign {real} little pen-pal!!! Maybe at the Awards?

Rating:
Summary: Jack's the greatest
Review: About Schmidt, although somewhat plodding, provides the perfect vehicle to demostrate that there is no finer and more talented actor on the screen today than Jack Nicholson.

Nicholson plays Warren Schmidt, a Nebraskan actuary who works for a large insurance firm. His regimented life, shaped by his henpecking wife is inexorably altered by his retirement. He gets thrown into further turmoil when returning home from running some errands he discovers that his wife has dropped dead. Nicholson's only daughter played by Hope Davis arrives from out of town for the funeral with her morally bereft loser of a fiance played nicely by Dermot Mulroney. Her upcoming betrothal is one strongly disapproved by Nicholson and a cause of friction between them. They soon leave and Nicholson is left to fend for himself.

Nicholson commences passing his time aimlessly. While cleaning out his wife's possessions, he discovers love letters documenting an adulterous affair with his best friend. He is crushed and sees his very existence as an abject failure. He has in his loneliness adopted an underprivileged foster child in a third world country through a televison ad. He writes to the 6 year old child using a diary format sprinkled with some highly inappropriate verbiage.

He decides to take a road trip in a large camper on his way to his daughter's wedding. Upon his arrival in Colorado, he meets and stays with his future son in law's dysfunctional family headed by the terrific Kathy Bates. Despite his objections, the wedding goes on without a hitch, highlighted by Nicholson's toast. By this time, Nicholson is totlly crestfallen, convinced that his life has no meaning.

His return home is met by the arrival of a letter from his foster child that reveals to him the true meaning of life, an absolutely wonderful ending to the movie.

Nicholson richly deserves an Oscar for his performance but might get snubbed because his collection of statues is vast already. Kathy Bates deserves consideration for best supporting actress.