Review of About Schmidt (2002) by Lorenzo V — 18 Mar 2010

"Schmidt Happens".

Warren Schmidt is a man in his 60's. While trying to run his daughter's life, he realizes that he wasted his.

REVIEW.

Nicholson gives a career high performance as Warren Schmidt, a recently retired life insurance actuary from Omaha, Nebraska who comes to an emotional crossroads in his life when his wife suddenly dies and his only daughter is about to marry a complete moron. Schmidt seeks some meaning for his existence and goes on a literal and metaphorical road trip, Winnebago at the helm, across America as he ventures to the wedding ceremony accruing while realizing that life will always take care of itself even if one doesn't know what will become of themselves (no truer thought has ever been realized quite comically nor clearly as it does here). Filmmaker Alexander Payne (who adapted Louis Begley's novel with his longtime collaborator Jim Taylor) shrewdly mixes the mundane with the meaningful in an acrid slice of Americana that threatens to curdle as it nurtures along its merrily demented way. Nicholson smartly downplays the easily caricatured character it could've been by ditching his waycool persona and physically resembles a shrugged shoulder replete with bad combover and easily to his 12th Academy Award nomination. Immersing himself wholeheartedly and - who expected, quite poignantly - brilliantly; one of the finest interpretations ever displayed in cinematic history (and that's saying something for this icon's canon of film work!) Bates is a riot as his in-law to be who has no qualms about herself - a complete 180 from Nicholson's impression - and Mulroney lets the mullet do all the work smartly. Davis manages the tightrope of good daughter and angry child within allowing her character's seams to show at her worst and deep down loves her estranged father.