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About Schmidt |
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SCORE: 3 1/2
About Schmidt is a meandering film,
punctuated by random bursts of desperation and humor. The
screenplay is too anecdotal to be considered brilliant. Our
movie feels like a collection of scenes rather than a cohesive story.
It all works because About Schmidt is "about" great
characters.
The story begins with Schmidt's retirement.
We get the feeling that Schmidt (Jack Nicholson) made a
comfortable living and had the respect of his peers. We also get
the feeling that Schmidt's job was none too difficult or
imaginative. Still reeling from the loss of his career,
Schmidt's wife of over forty years dies. I give this away
because it happens early (and she is drawn as more of a caricature
than a real person). Facing tremendous loss and equal doses of
boredom, Schmidt no longer feels useful. But, there's something
deeper that troubles him. Schmidt is unable to feel
satisfaction because his life was previously "defined" by
his career and his marriage. The man has little to call his own.
Stimulating hobbies? None. Profound ideas? Zero.
At this point, our screenplay could have taken us just about
anywhere. What follows is a kind of road picture where
Schmidt is unable to orchestrate a single successful
relationship with those he meets along the way. Herein
lies the (dark) humor of the film.
Ultimately, Schmidt is on a quest to mend his relationship with his
daughter. She's about to be married to a man of questionable
standards. Is Schmidt a good father? Is his relationship
with his daughter now paramount because of the loss of his wife?
Will Schmidt find a new "purpose" or find fulfillment?
These are the themes of About Schmidt.
Nicholson will be remembered for a lot of roles. Schmidt may
not be his greatest character. There are times where Jack is
just being Jack. It's easy to forgive an actor with such an
established personality. Mr. Nicholson is vulnerable, funny,
poignant, and supremely aware of what the movie is about. Jack
brings to life a character who is past his prime (even if Jack
isn't).
About Schmidt has been criticized by some for varying from the
novel. I have not read the novel. I can only hope the
original story contains the hilarious letters composed to Schmidt's
"adopted" African child. I won't take the time to
explain, but let me just say the movie has an original narrative
style.
Among the colorful supporting cast, Kathy Bates "makes
waves" with a nude hot-tub scene. I once saw Johnny
Carson strip for a TV crowd for a laugh. The difference was
that Johnny didn't go "all the way." And, Johnny was
in good shape. I appreciated the fact that Bates was
willing to do anything for a laugh (while remaining in character).
The scene is not gratuitous. I appreciate the fact that
About Schmidt was written for adults.
SCORE: B+ Plot: Man retires. Wife dies. Daughter gets married. Man connects
with nothing.
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