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About Schmidt

Play trailer Poster for About Schmidt R Released Dec 20, 2002 2h 4m Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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86% Tomatometer 203 Reviews 74% Popcornmeter 50,000+ Ratings
Warren Schmidt (Jack Nicholson) has arrived at several of life's crossroads all at the same time. To begin with, he is retiring from a lifetime of service as an actuary for Woodmen of the World Insurance Company, and he feels utterly adrift. Furthermore, his only daughter Jeannie (Hope Davis) is about to marry a boob. And his wife Helen (June Squibb) dies suddenly after 42 years of marriage.
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About Schmidt

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Critics Consensus

In this funny, touching character study, Nicholson gives one of the best performances of his career.

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Critics Reviews

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Nell Minow Common Sense Media Heartfelt Nicholson, not for kids at all. Rated: 3/5 Sep 2, 2010 Full Review Empire Magazine Rated: 4/5 May 2, 2003 Full Review Peter Rainer New York Magazine/Vulture These filmmakers have a feeling for the isolation of blasted lives, but they also can't resist putting them down. Jan 16, 2003 Full Review James Croot Stuff.co.nz This is Nicholson's show -- and he excels. Rated: 4/5 Dec 22, 2022 Full Review Danielle Solzman Solzy at the Movies Jack Nicholson delivers one of the best performances of his career in About Schmidt. Rated: 4/5 Dec 14, 2022 Full Review Joanne Laurier World Socialist Web Site The latest film by Alexander Payne (Election, Citizen Ruth) scrutinizes features of America's social fabric with a relatively sharp eye. Mar 5, 2021 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Godfrey D Its a really good movie. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/07/24 Full Review The H Jack Nicholson proved he's not just an interesting face. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/27/24 Full Review Marcos M Good drama, with comedic parts at times, and with really good acting. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 11/12/23 Full Review Umatsu O The single worst movie I've ever seen. No idea why people like this. Intensely slow and Intensely dull. I "affectionately" call this movie "About Sh*t" when people begin discussing bad films, and this one inevitably comes up. "About Jack Sh*t" more like though. A toddler could tell a more compelling story. Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 10/10/23 Full Review Steve C At least Schmidt didn't get scammed from revealing all that social engineering rich information. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 10/07/23 Full Review Leaburn O Nooo sorry, this was such predictable schtick. It was like emotionally manipulative, base humour, particularly by by numbers film making. It lost a whole star for the ending. Basically the story of a mediocre man having a late life crisis as he reflects upon his mediocre life and then takes philosophical solace through some banal musings on the futility of life and an African kid's kindness. Pleeeeease. Nicholson is an actor who always annoys me. This wasn't for me clearly. Dreary, pointless film making. Bought on DVD a long time ago, finally got round to watching unfortunately. Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 09/20/23 Full Review Read all reviews
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About Schmidt

Kathy Bates (far left) and Jack Nicholson (far right) star in Alexander Payne's, About Schmidt. (l to r): Dermot Mulroney (Randall,) Hope Davis (Jeannie,) and Jack Nicholson (Warren Schmidt) star in New Line Cinema's upcoming comedic-drama ABOUT SCHMIDT. Kathy Bates stars in Alexander Payne's, About Schmidt. Jack Nicholson stars in Alexander Payne's, About Schmidt. Jack Nicholson stars in Alexander Payne's, About Schmidt. Kathy Bates stars in Alexander Payne's, About Schmidt. Hope Davis stars in Alexander Payne's, About Schmidt. A scene from the film ABOUT SCHMIDT. Jack Nicholson (left) and Director Alexander Payne on the set of About Schmidt. (left to right) Kathy Bates and Jack Nicholson (Warren Schmidt) star in New Line Cinema's upcoming comedic-drama ABOUT SCHMIDT. View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Warren Schmidt (Jack Nicholson) has arrived at several of life's crossroads all at the same time. To begin with, he is retiring from a lifetime of service as an actuary for Woodmen of the World Insurance Company, and he feels utterly adrift. Furthermore, his only daughter Jeannie (Hope Davis) is about to marry a boob. And his wife Helen (June Squibb) dies suddenly after 42 years of marriage.
Director
Alexander Payne
Producer
Harry Gittes, Michael Besman
Screenwriter
Alexander Payne, Jim Taylor
Distributor
New Line Cinema
Production Co
New Line Cinema
Rating
R (Some Language|Brief Nudity)
Genre
Comedy, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 20, 2002, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
May 23, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$65.0M
Runtime
2h 4m
Sound Mix
Dolby SR, DTS, Dolby Stereo, Surround, SDDS, Dolby A, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
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