About Schmidt
"Blisteringly funny and equally moving." -Michael Rechtshaffen, Hollywood Reporter
Warren Schmidt is about to experience a bittersweet slice of life. Newly retired, he and his wife Helen have big plans to see America-but an unexpected twist changes everything. Now Schmidt is determined to stop his daughter's wedding to an underachieving waterbed salesman. From meeting the groom's eccentric parents to sponsoring a Tanzanian foster child, Schmidt sets off on his mission...and gets lost along the road to self-discovery.
Member Reviews
About Schmidt is a curious slice of Americana. Jack is back!! - moviemonger
About Schmidt is an unsentimental yet effective portrait of a character struggling with the essential questions of life. Although it has moments of cynicism, this is not a cynical film. Although it contains instances of humor, it is not a comedy. And, although it contains elements of the road trip genre, it is not a road trip movie. Instead, this is an opportunity to spend two hours in the company of a fairly ordinary man who no longer understands the point of anything. About Schmidt is at its best when the satirical and comedic elements are low-key and unforced. One thing that is rock-solid throughout is the performance of Jack Nicholson. Nicholson carries the movie, and does so by not just being Jack, but by using an understated approach to playing Warren. This isn't a flamboyant, over-the-top individual, but a sad, quiet man who looks at the world though lenses tinted with despair. About Schmidt" is also blessed by a smashing supporting performance from Kathy Bates. This is one of Nicholson's best acting assignments in years. On balance, I recommend the movie both for Nicholson's performance and for the opportunity to spend some time with the kind of man that we often meet in real life, but rarely see on screen.Worth Watching - Miss_Anthrope
I rented this movie based on somebody telling me that this is how Jack believed his life would have turned out had he not found acting. If you are expecting funny, this really isn't the movie for you. If you like watching characters develop in a realistic, yet slightly absurd, sort of way then you might enjoy this. It chronicles the transition of a middle-management drone from working life to retirement and explores what happens when he has a bit more time for self-reflection. There are some very slow points and a few cliche stereotypes but they don't take away from the overall effect of the film.The best I've seen. - tamroi
This is the best movie I seen in years. It is extremely depressing, and not for childish minds. The reviewer from Bridgewater,N.S., probably sells waterbeds, and believes in get rich schemes. The subtlety of Jack's acting is amazing. What's more important, the story is so true in such extraordinary detail for essentially every middle class American or Canadian. It should be seen more than once to catch more subleties - unless you're under thirty and prefer being blind.
Member Reviews
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About Schmidt is a curious slice of Americana. Jack is back!! - moviemonger
About Schmidt is an unsentimental yet effective portrait of a character struggling with the essential questions of life. Although it has moments of cynicism, this is not a cynical film. Although it contains instances of humor, it is not a comedy. And, although ...Worth Watching - Miss_Anthrope
I rented this movie based on somebody telling me that this is how Jack believed his life would have turned out had he not found acting. If you are expecting funny, this really isn't the movie for you. If you like watching characters develop in a realistic, ...The best I've seen. - tamroi
This is the best movie I seen in years. It is extremely depressing, and not for childish minds. The reviewer from Bridgewater,N.S., probably sells waterbeds, and believes in get rich schemes. The subtlety of Jack's acting is amazing. What's more important, ...