Some of my friends were very disappointed with About Schmidt. It went against their perception of Jack Nicholson's recent comedic typecast; a wicked Jack who embraces his roles with gusto. But even though the film claims it, About Schmidt is no comedy. It's a downer. Jack looks like the same old Jack, but Warren Schmidt is not a funny man, he's a shell of a human. A recently retired life insurance underwriter in Omaha, his wife abruptly dies leaving him alone and with nothing do to. His wife and his job were his whole universe, and now they're both gone. To make matters worse, while going through his wife's affects, he finds love letters from a long ago adulterous affair with their best friend. In late middle age, what little life Warren has remaining comes crashing down around him.
His grown daughter is getting married in Colorado (to a man Warren believes beneath her), so Warren embarks on a road trip to see her and meet her family. A family headed by Roberta, played by Kathy Bates, who embraces life. Will she be Warren's salvation?
Warren Schmidt is a very difficult character, but Jack Nicholson nails it with a very understated and gutsy performance. He is supported by a great and believable supporting cast, and the on-site Midwestern winter locales add truthfulness to the tale. And then there's Jack in one of his best roles. About Schmidt is highly recommended.
His grown daughter is getting married in Colorado (to a man Warren believes beneath her), so Warren embarks on a road trip to see her and meet her family. A family headed by Roberta, played by Kathy Bates, who embraces life. Will she be Warren's salvation?
Warren Schmidt is a very difficult character, but Jack Nicholson nails it with a very understated and gutsy performance. He is supported by a great and believable supporting cast, and the on-site Midwestern winter locales add truthfulness to the tale. And then there's Jack in one of his best roles. About Schmidt is highly recommended.