Review of About Schmidt (2002) by Michael T — 10 Mar 2012

Before watching this movie, I was wondering about who is my favorite actor. I longer have to look, for Jack Nicholson has assurred his place at #1 for me after watching this. Seriously, I was in awe of Nicholson throughout the entire movie. Surely no one else could pull off the role of Warren Schmidt. Most of the movie has no dialouge in it. It is either Schmidt doing something (like eating, brushing his teeth, driving, etc.) or Schmidt's narration of a letter he is writing. The movie is about a man who's at the downslope of his life. He can't stand his wife, he has to retire from his job, young people look down to him, and his only daughter is marrying a loser. This is when Schmidt begins funding an African boy. All of the checks Shmidt sends to him come with a letter about what is going on in his life at the time. When Schmidt's wife dies, he realizes that he needs to be with his daughter and stop her wedding. So he goes on a road trip, and along the way he writes to the African boy and visits nostalgic locations. All of this leads up to the day of the wedding, which he repeatadely tells himself he must break up.

"About Shchmidt"succeeds at absolutely everything. When there is a dramatic moment, the moment is very dramatic. When there is a sad moment, is extremely depressing. When there is a touching moment, it is incredibly moving. And when there is a funny moment, it is downright hillarious. Jack Nicholson truly steals the show by bring Warren Schmidt to life. However, Kathy Bates gives a great performance as well as the mother of Randall, Schmidts daughter's fiance. Bates is extremely funny and her conversations with Nicholson are some of the funniest interactions I've ever seen in a movie. There were two scenes in the movie that were so touching that I was actually brought to tears (I don't cry very often). The ending of the movie (without spoling anything) was so moving that I cried my eyes out. A few hours after I finished watching the movie I remembered the ending and I cried again. There is honestly nothing negative I have to say about this movie.

"About Schmidt" is funny, touching, moving, dramatic, sad, and a masterpeice. It is an instant favorite for me. Nicholson is a remarkable actor who gives his heart out in this movie. I'd recommend this movie to any drama buff, Nicholson fan, or anyone who wants to see a masterful movie that'll make you smile.