Review of About Schmidt (2002) by Paxton H — 09 May 2009

This is a movie that I gave the total once over. I wasn't totally too impressed with Mr. Nicholson's last movie (the highly overrated 'As Good As It Gets' (or the movie he did after this one, the truly awful 'Something's Gotta Give')) so when the opportunity arose to watch 'About Schmidt' I did so somewhat grudgingly.

This is one of the funniest, and one of the most touching movies I've seen in years.

Where can I start? The story is about a recently retired and a recent widower, played amazingly by Jack Nicholson who decides that since he's got gallons of time on his hands now, he'll just go to Denver now, a couple of days early, for his daughter's wedding. His daughter is not too crazy about the idea, and convinces him to delay his arrival. Rather than going back home, Schmidt decides to travel around the country to reflect on his life (partially through a somewhat hilarious correspondence to a foster child named Ngugu) and also meeting (and somewhat terrifying people) along the way before he finally arrives in Denver, and who better to greet him but his daughter's future Mother-In-Law, and who else could play that part but the marvelous Kathy Bates? One of the most appealing parts of this movie, besides the story, which is WONDERFUL, is the somewhat offbeat kilter casting. Aside from Nicholson and Bates, I didn't recognize a single soul in this movie. (I actually did a what the? When I found out that it was Dermot Mulroney playing Jack Nicholson's totally goofy red-neck future son-in law). The more I think of it, it makes the journey Schmidt take strange for us as well, as we're faced with actors we're not familiar with (most of the actors are localized actors from the regions where the movie takes place).

The ending of this is so devastating. You just GET it, it's painful, and it's so wonderful in it's simplicity.

What a great film.