“About Schmidt” (New Line Cinema)
Jack Nicholson is walking away with a ton of awards for his performance in the new film “About Schmidt.” He is the best thing about the film and the only reason to see it is to marvel at his acting abilities. The movie on the whole is a depressing look at life in middle age and in Middle America.
Nicholson plays Warren Schmidt, a sixty-six year old man who is facing retirement. He has spent his life working for an insurance company and now they are putting him out to pasture. He looks at his life and sees barrenness and looks at his wife and sees an old woman. His only child, a daughter (Hope Davis), is closer to her mother than to him, and seldom comes home to visit.
Schmidt becomes convinced that his daughter is getting ready to marry the wrong guy (Dermot Mulroney) and so he takes off in his Winnebago to save her from a fate worse than death. On his way to where she lives he stops at some tourist spots and observes the country.
When he reaches his daughter’s home he meets her future mother-in-law (Kathy Bates). She and her kooky family welcome him with open arms. She even tries to seduce him in a hot tub, which provides one of the more unappealing scenes in the movie.
The movie is written and directed by Alexander Payne who was the force behind “Citizen Ruth” and “Election.” Both of those movies generated some critical acclaim. Payne has a quirky sense of humor that may or may not strike your funnybone. It certainly doesn’t mine.
The movie is rated R for profanity and nudity. Unfortunately the nudity belongs to Kathy Bates, a woman who should not be taking it off on screen.
“About Schmidt” is part drama, part comedy and total confusion. For people who are at retirement age, the movie paints a dim picture of their chance for future happiness. It all seems to be one long dull look at a boring future stretching out ahead of them. At least that is what faces Schmidt.
Nicholson underplays the role which is a change for him. You expect tirades and rampages but in this movie he is surprisingly low key. He is worth watching but the movie isn’t. I found myself just tuning the whole thing out.
I scored “About Schmidt” an about nothing 4 out of 10.
©2002 Jackie K. Cooper
