... It was called ‘About Schmidt’, and I can honestly say I haven’t been so moved and entertained by a film in my whole life. Sure, I was as moved by ‘Philadelphia’, but that had no belly laughs, and whilst ‘There’s Something About Mary’ might have made my sides hurt with laughter, it didn’t make ... Read review
Warren Schmidt (Nicholson) has arrived at several of life's crossroads all at the same ... more
time as he is forced to deal with an ambiguous future as he enters retirement. Soon after his wife of 42 years passes away and he must come to terms with his only d...
Postage & Packaging: £0.00 Availability: 3-5 working days
Wareen Schmidt (Jack Nicholson) has arrived at several of life's crossroads all at the ... more
same time. To begin with, he is retiring from a lifetime of service as an actuary for Woodmen of the World Insurance Company, and he feels utterly adrift. Furthermor...
Production Year: 2004 - Drama - Director: Nick Cassavetes - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over, 12 years and over - Starring: Rachel McAdams, Ryan Gosling, Gena Rowlands
Advantages: unbelievably moving, yet very funny Disadvantages: none that i can see
...laughs, and whilst ‘There’s Something About Mary’ might have made my sides hurt with laughter, it didn’t make me weep into my drink so my husband couldn’t see me and tease me for being a soppy old tart.
It’s about a man called Schmidt, surprisingly enough. At the start of the film, he retires from his job, and has little to occupy himself, especially as his replacement is doing rather well at taking over his job. By chance, he sees ... ...into the way he’s feeling about his life, and the way he sees the events surrounding him.
At first, these letters seem unimportant to the plot – they provide some comedy, as he is waffling away at this child who cannot speak any English, and also a much-needed narrative element. However, eventually they become by far the most important thing in the film, and change it from an amusing film about dysfunctional family units, into something ... more
Dear Nwoke,
I was reminded to reply to your letter the other night whilst watching an amazing film my husband rented on DVD. It was called ‘About Schmidt’, and I can honestly say I haven’t been so moved and entertained by a film in my whole life. Sure, I was as moved by ‘Philadelphia’, but that had no belly laughs, and whilst ‘There’s Something About Mary’ might have made my sides hurt with laughter, it didn’t make me weep into my drink so my husband couldn’t see me and tease me for being a soppy old tart.
It’s about a man called Schmidt, surprisingly enough. At the start of the film, he retires from his job, and has little to occupy himself, especially as his replacement is doing rather well at taking over his job. By chance, he sees a commercial about sponsoring a child in a developing country (much the same as you) that strikes a chord somewhere. He writes to the little boy, just as I write to you; the letters become an insight into the way he’s feeling about his life, and the way he sees the events surrounding him.
At first, these letters seem unimportant to the plot – they provide some comedy, as he is waffling away at this child who cannot speak any English, and also a much-needed narrative element. However, eventually they become by far the most important thing in the film, and change it from an amusing film about dysfunctional family units, into something incredibly moving, thought provoking, and life affirming.
I won’t spoil the ending for you, just in case you ever get a chance to see it, but I was really quite embarrassed about getting so upset by something so simple – Ian even had a lump in his throat, and once he saw me sobbing my eyes out, it set a tear trickling down his cheek as well. The ending sneaks up on you; just when you think you know what he’s going to do, something else happens, and the director fools you into making a mistake. I think that’s why I was so knocked for six, because it was so unexpected.
I don’t know whether you’ve heard of him over there, but the main star is Jack Nicholson, a well-respected and well-loved actor, who has appeared in more films than I’ve eaten pink wafers, and has been acting since before I was born. The last few films he’s been in have been a bit disappointing, but he is perfect for this role, and it was nice to see him finally acting his age. The only other person I recognised was Kathy Bates – her most famous role is in ‘Misery’, but most recently she’s been acting in and directing ‘Six Feet Under’, that show about funeral directors I mentioned liking last time I wrote. She’s really a very talented actress, and I enjoyed her onscreen moments most of all.
As well as the superb acting, there were some great moments of cinematography. I particularly liked a section early on in the film where he talks about what he hates about his wife, which is accompanied by close-ups of the parts of her he hates, or shots of her doing the things that drive him mad.
So, do go and see it if you get a chance to. It only lasts for 2 hours, and yet it won’t feel that long at all. I think the message it gives is so universal, that anyone can enjoy. I have to admit to not looking forward to it, possibly because I knew nothing about it, and I realise I’m guilty of also not giving away too much. However, I think to say any more would spoil the beauty of discovering a truly wonderful film for yourself, so take my word for it, and look out for in your local rental store, or when it comes on television. Remember, though, it is rated an 18, presumably for the language, (senior citizen) nudity, and truly appalling mullets.
Advantages: A subtly told, meandering tale with good writing, tight direction and a fantastic performance from Jack Disadvantages: As bleak as a Nebraska skyline, this isn't easy watching if you're just looking for laughs
About Schmidt
Warren Schmidt (Jack Nicholson) is not finding life after retirement quite as easy as he expected. In fact, after his reluctant departure from the insurance firm to which he gave the best years of his life, and the sudden death of his wife, he finds that he actually has very little life left at all. And so he sets off on a soul searching, cross-state journey in his motor home, to try to stop his daughter from marrying a 'nincompoop' ... ...of him.
'About Schmidt' is a simple, melancholy story, carefully and deliberately told through the eyes of one man who wakes up one morning to find that his life is devoid of meaning and, in whatever way he can, begins to look for an answer. And it's this slow paced yet quietly adventurous journey we find ourselves embarking on with him, a voyage of self discovery with a cantankerous old man who doesn't particularly want to be 'discovered'. Jack ...
Spiderkid 03.10.2005
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of About Schmidt (DVD)
Advantages: Thought-provoking, Kathy Bate's performance Disadvantages: Really depressing at times
...a while, but she is about to get married to Randall, of whom her father deeply disapproves, and has to return home to carry on with the preparations. Warren finds himself completely lost with no-one to talk to about his wife except by letter to a young boy he has 'adopted' in Africa. He decides to go on a trip to 'find' himself. Will he be able to come to terms with his wife's death? And will Jeannie's marriage to Randall definitely go ahead?
I ... ...watch - there is much about Warren that isn't very pleasant, but there is no doubt that he is in pain because of his wife's death and daughter's marriage - and this is written all over Nicholson's face. And there is enough strength in the character to be able to hold the film - for much of it, Nicholson is the only face we see - without it becoming boring. Despite Nicholson's performance, it is still a relief when Kathy Bates, who plays Randall's ...
sunmeilan 10.11.2008
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of About Schmidt (DVD)
Advantages: Jack Nicholson on Oscar winning form Disadvantages: Kathy Bates' big old boobs - though I don't doubt these would be seen as an advantage by many (Karen? anyone?)
...ready to file another op about another incredibly understated and intelligent film. And this time folks… you’ve got Jack too.
About Schmidt ought to be a quiet, unassuming little film, attracting attention only from chin-strokers such as myself. But it isn’t – it’s HUGE. The heat is on for Jack’s fourth Oscar win, and while he’s a shoo-in for the nomination, remember he’s right up against the walking ... ...horrid fighting film.
Warren Schmidt, the man in the title played by Jack Nicholson, is the has been who never was. As the film opens, we see him watching the final seconds of his career in insurance tick away, and then we accompany him to his retirement party. Sound exciting so far? Well, it’s not really meant to be. Like Warren himself this film is a bit downbeat, a little tired, but full of quirks and flashes of humour.
Let’s face ...
ShoppingGirl 31.01.2003
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of About Schmidt (DVD)
Advantages: Poignant yet compelling. Disadvantages: Nicholson plays Nicholson.
...version of his wife. She`s about to marry a a no-hoper whom he can't stand . His future son-in-law is a third-rate water bed salesman - not Schmidts idea of a steady job with prospects!
He is really at a loose end and a visit to his old place of work to see if they need his help is one more disappointment for him. As with many people who stop work he finds himself stuck in front of the television flicking from one channel to another. Suddenly one ... ...really start to find out about the man hidden within the manufactured exterior as he uses these letters as a means to unburden himself as one would do to the priest in a confessional box.I found that this is an excellent way of allowing us to share his thoughts, failed hopes and aspirations of Schmidt. Calamity follows for his wife dies suddenly and now he really cut adrift. His life goes to pot and here Nicholson is superb at portraying the slob ...
bwanamdevu 25.03.2003
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of About Schmidt (DVD)
Advantages: Good cast and characters, funny, true to life, sad. Disadvantages: None for me
The DVD box of About Schmidt has claims that this film is 'hilarious' and 'a comic treasure'. Perhaps it is because I am not that far from the age of the main characters that I felt that despite being a funny film it was more sad and in many ways true to life than hilariously funny.
Warren Schmidt, played by Jack Nicholson, is about to retire. Actually the film starts as the final minutes countdown on his career in insurance. After many years with ... ...a large tourer and are about to set of on some final adventures. Of course life never likes to play the game and Warren's life is set to be turned upside down. Whilst going through the motions and trying to pick up the pieces he uncovers a skeleton in the cupboard which truly upsets the applecart.
Added to all of Warren's personal trials and tribulations his beloved daughter, who lives some distance away, is about to be married to someone that Warren ...
grafter123 01.11.2008
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of About Schmidt (DVD)
On his retirement Warren Schmidt is uncertain about his future but when he loses his wife he has to come to terms with a son-in-law he dislikes and the waste he has made of his life...
"...The power of this great movie -- part comedy, part tragedy, part satire, mostly masterpiece -- is in the details..." (Entertainment Weekly, p.58, 13/12/2002)
"...The film is a gutsy, truthful, deeply rooted vision of contemporary American life, scaled to the size of an ordinary man....Payne has become the most gifted comic social satirist to hit our movies since Preston Sturges..." (Los Angeles Times, p.C1, 13/12/2002)
"...Instead of flash, what Mr. Nicholson brings to his role is a sorrowful awareness of human complexity whose emotional depth matches anything he has done in the movies before..." (New York Times, p.15, 13/12/2002)
"...This may be Nicholson's boldest performance. It's certainly one of his best..." (Rolling Stone, p.116, 19/10/2002)
"...[Nicholson's] acting is at once edgy and restrained, holding his natural exuberance on a tight leash, festering with dormant energies..." (Sight and Sound, p.34, 01/01/2003)
"...[Nicholson's] restraint is superbly on the mark..." (USA Today, p.8E, 13/12/2002)
DVD Description
In Alexander Payne's ABOUT SCHMIDT, Warren Schmidt (Jack Nicholson) is retiring from a long, dedicated tenure at Woodmen of the World Insurance Company. Though he is proud of this achievement, he finds some difficulty adjusting to life without work; and to make matters worse, his loving wife Helen (June Squibb) passes away, leaving him all alone. Schmidt turns to his daughter Jeannie (Hope Davis) for support, but she is busy planning her marriage to Randall (Dermot Mulroney), who Warren just can't stand. He decides to sponsor a Tanzanian child, Ndugu, through a program advertised on television, and sends elaborate letters to the 6-year-old boy along with his $22 monthly checks. Meanwhile, he sets off on a soul-searching voyage across the west in his new RV. Nicholson's deadpan voice-over narration, especially in his letters to Ndugu, give ABOUT SCHMIDT a solid balance between comedy and drama. The crux of the film is the daughter's wedding in Denver, where Warren is the guest of Randall's outrageous, new-agey mom (Kathy Bates). Though the funny moments make light of Warren's state in life, the overall feel of the film is a bit sad, and its enigmatic ending will keep viewers guessing what will happen to this uniquely knowable character.
Compare About Schmidt (DVD) to other similar Drama »
![About Schmidt [DVD] [2003]](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/78524990.jpg)
![About Schmidt [VHS] [2003]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/83964035.jpg "About Schmidt [VHS] [2003]")
