Presumably because it prominently features an RV, I have had a few people mention About Schmidt to me over the past few years as a movie I might like.
Knowing only that About Schmidt was about a retired Jack Nicholson taking a road trip across country in an RV, I had somehow ended up with the impression that the movie would be a Meet the Parents style screwball seniors comedy, perhaps with a bittersweet twist. Needless to say – About Schmidt wasn’t high up on my “to see” list.
Fortunately, while passing through Atlanta recently Cherie spotted the DVD lying out on our hosts coffee table, and mentioned that it was one of her personal inspirations towards leading a nomadic life. We ended up watching it that evening, and I am so glad that we did. Rarely has a movie so thoroughly exceeded my expectations – I was honestly blown away.
About Schmidt is not a comedy, nor is it entirely tragic. The film is a character study, looking deep into the character of Warren Schmidt, and in the process casting a harsh and unflattering light onto the superficialities and isolation of modern life.
Jack Nicholson’s performance as Schmidt was Oscar nominated, and he should have won. His was an acting tour de force filled with subtlety and emotion. Kathy Bates was also deservedly nominated for Best Supporting Actress.
Director Alexander Payne does a fabulous job using imagery, framing, color, perspective, and focus to give every scene a certain look and a sense of emotion that I found captivating. His Golden Globe winning screenplay is refreshingly clever, and not at all formulaic.
Roger Ebert’s review sums up the genius of this film better than I can:
“About Schmidt” is essentially a portrait of a man without qualities, baffled by the emotions and needs of others. That Jack Nicholson makes this man so watchable is a tribute not only to his craft, but to his legend: Jack is so unlike Schmidt that his performance generates a certain awe. Another actor might have made the character too tragic or passive or empty, but Nicholson somehow finds within Schmidt a slowing developing hunger, a desire to start living now that the time is almost gone. … Most teenagers will probably not be drawn to this movie, but they should attend. Let it be a lesson to them. If they define their lives only in terms of a good job, a good paycheck and a comfortable suburban existence, they could end up like Schmidt, dead in the water.
Portraying that “slowly developing hunger” is at the core of About Schmidt, and it is clear to me now why Cherie cites this film as one of her inspirations.
Though the RV trip is actually secondary to the deeper story, every full time RV’er will find a touch of truth and inspiration in this story. And every wannabe traveler will find in Schmidt motivation to hit the road sooner rather than later. Don’t wait to start living your life!
Watching this film is watching masters at work. Go see it.
Rating: 5 stars!
PS: An earlier version of this review is featured on my personal LiveJournal blog. If you like my movie reviews, you can find many more posted here.
Maybe it’s time to give this movie another viewing. We watched a while back (years maybe?), and it didn’t leave much of an impression on me. The first time I watched American Beauty, I detested it. Many years later, I watched it again, and now it has a completely different (better) meaning to me.
.-= Hitekhomeless (jenn)´s last blog ..Party over here! =-.
Hadn’t heard of this but it sounds good actually (RV or not, as you say). Will check it out.
.-= Andy Hayes | Sharing Travel Experiences´s last blog ..Travel Where You Want =-.
Definitely worth a viewing. Thanks for the Stumble on this too, Andy!
Thanks for the review, Chris.
Now I am gonna have to go get it. I don’t watch too many movies these days for two reasons. One, the quality of movies out there today lacks the standards I am used to from the past, and two, I don’t see myself spending sixty bucks to go out to movies for a family of four. That is between four tickets, a jumbo popcorn and two sodas.
Now if I could only find it at the Red Box.
Rasheed
.-= Rasheed Hooda´s last blog ..Learning to Living Up To My Own Expectations =-.
I remember this movie, I like it.
My favorite part is Schmidt correspondence with Ndugu, the kid he is “sponsoring” in Africa.
Usually, Jack Nicholson is himself or a variation of himself in most of his roles, but in this one, he deviates quite a bit, so I liked it even more for this.
On the same venue of “examination of one’s life” I recommend “The Big Kahuna”, with Spacey and DeVito.
One of the best scenes of the movie:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PkOc-B64dY
Cheers!
.-= Adolfo Isassi´s last blog ..Good bye old friend… =-.