About Schmidt (2002)
Medium Level Coarse Language
| Director: | Alexander Payne |
| Actors: | Jack Nicholson, Dermot Mulroney, Kathy Bates, Hope Davis |
In the finest drawn characterisation of his career, Jack Nicholson is Warren Schmidt, a man at the crossroads of life. Retired, restless and wondering 'who is this old woman who shares my bed'; Schmidt's life has been one of passive acceptance and repressed rage. But two major events force Schmidt to wake up for the first time. So he takes to the road in a 35-foot Winnebago to try and save his estranged daughter from marrying a loser. But what he really embarks on is a journey of discovery, a darkly funny and painful odyssey...and what he finds ain't pretty. From Alexander Payne, the award winning Writer/Director of 'Election', this is a blisteringly funny yet profoundly moving film that is impossible to pigeonhole and impossible to forget.
| Status: | QuickPick |
|---|---|
| Run time: | 120mins |
| Origin: | UNITED STATES |
| Aspect Ratio: | 1.85:1 16:9 Enhanced |
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Member Reviews (61)
61 Member
Reviews
CL-D
says
A great movie but for me the written narrative running throughout the movie to Ndugu, a 6 Y.O. African child who Schmidt, uncharacterisically, fosters at $22.50 a month is not necessary and it really seems impausible coming from someone as mean, self centred and pragmatic as the character Nicholson is playing. He isn't that stupid that he wouldn't realise a six year old Tanzanian would not have a clue about his ramblings, nor even be able to read them.
It should have simply been him narrating his thoughts to the audience. The rest?......Gold.
Mike Brindley
says
A hard to classify movie. At times a satire, at others an investigation of anger, disappointment & self-delusion. Like Payne's 'Sideways' without the humour. Leaves a bitter taste. Depressing.
Janice
says
This was a dry movie, Jack Nicholson while a great actor played quite a grumpy nothing to look forward to old man, similar to his part in As Good As It Gets.
chookey
says
Realiazed I had seen it before and I don't watch movies a second time normally but it was a joy. Don't care for Jack as person but what an Actor. Soooo believable. Great acting for him and Nancy Bates a big fav of mine. Well done the olds. Would more than recommend.
Josh
says
A really great story about old age and dissappointment. Jack Nicholson is absolutely moving in his role. Alexander Payne is clearly one of the best writers and directors in today's film industry. About Schmidt just rocks!
Ron
says
If you are in the relevant age group this movie is really worth it. If you relate to someone in this age group it may be helpful. Jack "makes" the movie. (What happens to Ndugu?)
Lynette
says
It was okay, funny but I would have like to see a bit more at the end as I did not like the ending at all!
Paul
says
Probably one of Jack Nicholson's best performances and a clever assessment of the issues that suddenly confront people when newly retired; asking the eternal question "what's life all about?"
yeo44
says
a fantstic movie, Jack Nicholson p laying the part of an elderly gentleman who comes to the crossparth of his life on retiring, all of a sudden having to axcept that life is changing dramaticly and there is nothing he can do to change it, ,
Osti
says
There is enough matter in this story for quite a good one-hour film. Unfortunately it lasts two hours.
Jamie C.
says
Great movie. Yes it is long, but that helps portray some of the tone and atmosphere of this story. If you've ever thought about how your current path in life is not exactly how you imagined it would be you will relate to this film in someway. I also enjoyed how everthing in this film can add weight to Schmidt's predicament, form the constantly cold and dreary landscape to the everyday interactions of new family, his daughter's husband's family.
And yes, as everyone has mentioned Jack Nicholson is fantastic in this role.
Norma T.
says
Jack Nicholson is up to his very best in this black comedy. A moving portrayal of Warren Schmidt.
Gayle R.
says
i thought this movie was absolute rubbish - read the member reviews and took it on members ratings - bad move - jack nicholson what were you thinking.
Matthew B.
says
With Jack Nicholson and Kathy Bates I had expected a whole lot more from this film. Bates and Nicholson are great but Nicholsons Schmidt takes a lot to get to like.
John N.
says
Do we really need to see, yet again, the aged office executive going through the tedious hoops of becoming retired. In this movie it all took so long and was so depressing that what came later hardly lifted the gloom.
Yvonne M.
says
Good performances by Jack Nicholson and Kathy Bates. Great movie for people about to retire or who have recently retired.
Harold S.
says
A little slow but not too bad
Nigel W.
says
Excellent movie about growing old and looking back at a life we have lost in living it. Like life it can be sad but punctuated with funny bits. Great performances by all. More a movie for those passing into middle age and knowing it.
Belinda P.
says
Found this irritating and boring. GROAN!
Paula M.
says
This is a movie about a man reveiwing his life after his wife dies suddenly, Jack Nicholson plays the part as only he can,the result is a satisfying feel good movie.
John C.
says
Michelle A.
says
loved it excellent movie
Leanne B.
says
A very moving funny movie that has some very 'real-life' situations and circumstances. Jack Nicholson plays this character very well, and I recommend it.
Elizabeth P.
says
This is truly not to be missed by anyone, young or old, male or female. It's Jack Nicholson perfecto!
A fab story and great music to boot.
Dick S.
says
John D.
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Alison M.
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David P.
says
Barry
says
Not bad- but.
It ia a typical movie regarding a retired person with a chip on his shoulder.
Sorry, not my type of movie or person.
Hasan R.
says
Heidi K.
says
a bit slow moving to start with but i really enjoyed it.
Tricia B.
says
Margaret Foley
says
Just great - Jack Nicholson in one of his best performances yet.
Craig Sheffield
says
John Reeve
says
Brilliant & unforgettable!
Dennis Griffin
says
Jack, as I have never seen him, plays the part of Schmidt to a tee. great storyline.
Brian Graham
says
Absorbing human interest movie with stellar acting from Jack Nicholson, who appears in almost every scene.
Fiona
says
James Gerrand
says
I started thinking this was Schindler's List and was agreeably surprised what a good movie it was in representating a very realistic drama of a husband/father who did not realise until after his wife died what an unfeeling, autocratic person he had become. His exposure then to friends and daughter then finally brought him to his senses.
Jane Hadley
says
Loved it, so funny!
Ming Goh
says
Chas Elmore
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Leslie Hucker
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Norlaw65
says
A story of a sad & lonely man, whose understanding of life changes with an unexpected event. Beautiful story, with a little touch of humour as only Jack Nicholson portrays.
Laraine Jeffs
says
Barbara Swiatkiwsky
says
Not action packed - more of a chick flick.
Trevor Satill
says
Natalie Mcvean
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Anne Donaghue
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Roger Holton
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Ray Warren
says
If I could rate this lower than one star I would, even though it stars my favourite actor. Jack, Jack, Jack why did you do this? Nothing funny in it. Nothing clever in it. Nothing interesting in it. Nicholson suceeds in portraying the tedium and boredom that filled his character's life. But who wants that? Kathy Bates flashes her naked body at us, burning in a mental image that takes weeks to fade. If you feel the need to be hurled into a depression that's hard to shake, this is the movie for you.
Yuri Szilasi
says
Ross Mcnaughton
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Bill Fordham
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Cinefile
says
Cinefile
says
jaybee
says
As a retired person it gave me some hometruths I will have to face about getting older. Liked his idea of having a RV and tripping around the country.
Kyla Macdonald
says
Carrie
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David
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Maurice
says
Playing the role of a lonely, introverted loser, so out of character for Nicholson, is a tour de force for the actor. The final scene really touches the heart.