About Schmidt

Now that he is retired, Warren Schmidt (Nicholson) is struggling to find things to occupy his mind. He finds solace is writing to Ubugu, a six-year-old African orphan he sponsors, telling him about his uneventful life and how he is powerless to change this. After the sudden passing of his wife, Warren embarks on a journey of remembrance and self-discovery.

About Schmidt is a movie designed to do one thing and one thing alone, win awards.

Alexander Payne's follow-up to the tremendously funny "Election" is short on laughs and something to say. The story of the inevitability of death and that retirement is just the precursor is an interesting subject with a lot of comedic potential but Warren Schmidt's story is only mildly amusing and remarkably uninteresting.

Jack Nicholson saves the film from been a total disaster just through sheer screen presence alone. The man is one of the best actors in the business and he could make the reading of a shopping list interesting. It is the script that let's him down however, as there are large periods the movie were he doesn't even speak and just stands there doing nothing. Yes, we know he is supposed to be a downtrodden man coming to terms with his old age and loneliness but the script seemed to restrain the character's development. When Jack is allowed to express himself he shines, especially in the few very funny moments, as he is playing a character that is true to his 65 years (He even sports a comb-over).

The main problem is that the movie has very little to say. It is just a showpiece for Jack's unquestioned talents and he is the only reason to see it.Lacking on laughs and quite boring in parts, About Schmidt is a movie that most critics feel that they have to like, especially during the awards season.

Deleted footage, DVD-Rom content, Trailer, Interactive menus & Scene selection

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2003