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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

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 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 Stanley Kauffmann The New Republic A poignant marker in the career of a major artist. Jan 8, 2003 Full Review James Croot The Post 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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Cruise B Great movie and cast. So many of us are getting older but don't fully realize or accept it. I loved when he questioned who was the old lady in his bed. Finally for a short while Jack Nicholson had in his bed a loving, older wife that most people have. Loved this movie. Kathy Bates is excellent as usual. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 09/06/25 Full Review Gareth v While far from perfect, this is a reflective, bittersweet film that’s quietly moving, anchored by Nicholson’s brilliant lead performance. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 08/15/25 Full Review Stephen C Funny in 2 hours and 4 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated R for Some Language and Brief Nudity!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $65,000,000.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/22/25 Full Review Divyansh U. A sweet, little, beautiful movie that holds its punch right till the very end and then delivers it perfectly in a way that gets you. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 07/22/25 Full Review Gray R The movie gets better with multiple watching. The nuanced acting, facial expressions, the absurdity of what life's waves can wash up upon your shore and how a man chooses to deal with them is captured by Jack Nicholson who nails the landing on this masterpiece dismount from a working man's career. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/12/25 Full Review Francisco S The movie betrays Schmidt's character many times going in the wrong direction. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 03/09/25 Full Review Read all reviews
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Cast & Crew

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Alexander Payne

Director

Jack Nicholson

Warren Schmidt

Hope Davis

Jeannie Schmidt

Dermot Mulroney

Randall Hertzel

Kathy Bates

Roberta Hertzel

Len Cariou

Ray Nichols

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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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