ABOUT SCHMIDT (2002)

Directed By: Alexander Payne 
Written By: Alexander Payne & Jim Taylor 
Based on the Novel By: Louis Begley 
Cinematography: James Glennon 
Editor: Kevin Tent 


Cast: Jack Nicholson, Kathy Bates, Dermont Mulroney, Hope Davis, June Sqibb, Howard Hesseman, Harry Groener, Connie Ray, Len Cariou 


Warren Schmidt has led a safe, predictable life working in the insurance industry in Omaha, Nebraska for many years, yet now faces retirement. At the same time, he is forced to take a hard look at his wife, his life, and his relationship with his estranged daughter. An often hilarious series of events follow as Schmidt embarks on an unpredictable RV journey to attend his daughter's wedding in Denver, Colorado

The film seem more built to appeal more to middle America.

This is a movie Jack Nicholson really doesn’t get enough credit for his performance.

A film that while well written and filmed is built around a character and a hell of a performance that shows range, complexity and nuance as it doesn’t let the lead character or even actor jack Nicholson off easy. It puts them both through the ringer. Through confrontation not letting him coast at all. In fact this is the most unglamorous but strong performance from Nicholson in quite some time. That allows him to be more subtle. He isn’t playing off his usual on screen personae. Not using his tricks. Here he plays against style as a more mild mannered character. Who could be seen at times as more of a loser. As he seeks to play up his importance as we realize and the film shows he wasn’t as important or as responsible as he believed himself to be. Especially when it comes to his daughter. 

He expects greatness in her. That he himself never really acquired. Never realizing most around him are perfectly happy being normal and getting by. Leading simple lives. Even if he might be correct about him dim witted son in law being a loser.

The film also shows him dealing with grief after his wife’s death. Who we always see him complain about bit we slowly learn as does he that she really helped keep it all together and took care of him. And that he truly loved her. It’s jarring st first to see him actually paired up with an actress his actual age.

Throughout the film he writes to an African orphan who he is sponsoring through charity. These letters are inappropriate for a child but also serve as a kind of journal. That lets the audience know where his head is at and of his history through his point of view.

Though the film has plenty of good performances to try to match him. It’s a film more built around him and his performance. As they come shining through and are the face and body of the film. Who try to counter Nicholson’s dark shadow.

Kathy bates gives a brave performance as she bares it all. This was where she really started doing more comedic work and showed no fear in her performances. Her nude scene really helps to define the film. It shows that this film is more natural and is willing to let it all hang out and still be treated as everyday. Not sensationalized. Not much usually is in the films of Alexander Payne he has seemed to work that out of his system after films such as CITIZEN RUTH and ELECTION which were a bit more political. with the Kathy bates scene it shows he still likes to startle his audience but is beginning to see it as unnecessary. As his films try to play more like slices of life.

The film truly has no winners as everyone here seem to have their problems and weaknesses but hope for the best and enjoy themselves while they can. Not worrying so much about legacy as much as he is.

This film is a comedy of errors and taking on the subject of lost glory and try not to take an adventure but instill that sense into his daughter who he feels is settling and for all of his complaints he seems to have closed his eyes to what he has has and squandered. How so many more people took care of him then he took care of them. How good he had it and now that he has to fend for himself he chooses to complain and be righteous when really he more wants his daughter back to take care of him.

The film is more a character piece but a sly one most of us can identify with but might choose to avoid as it might reveal too much about themselves. As in the end it is about a man seeking to find that he made a mark in life. That he affected the world in a positive way and can be remembered. He also has a false sense of self that somehow he is above others and is leaving a perfect legacy that he refuses to let be tarnished. Though he seems to be doing that himself.

I will admit I didn’t necessarily like this film when I first saw it in theaters. This was a film where the impact of the ending was ruined by an unruly audience who laughed at inappropriate times.

Though the emotional ending was actually the one part of the film that affected and stayed with me after that first viewing. Over the years and repeat viewings. I can’t say that I love the film, but the power and meaning of the film is strong and more favorable to me. As the film resonates to me more.

 Grade: B