Review of About Schmidt (2002) by Spencer S — 27 Mar 2011

Before I review this, let's state the obvious: this is a Jack Nicholson vehicle. His worst film could be the best of the decade. Saying that, I only have several problems with this film. Though it's a wrenching drama about the limitations of old age, the death of loved ones, and the inevitability of death, there was nothing new or explosive about it.

Sure, men of a certain age become desperate, childlike nimrods when left to their own devices, and they search for validation in their loved ones who have since moved on, but an angsty road trip film isn't going to encapsulate that fully.

The build up to that final scene was without any warning, and though it was tear inducing, it was not what that film needed. It needed its own validation. Oh, and it's true about the Kathy Bates nude scene, but it's brief, so don't refuse to see it just because you're close minded.