R | 2h 5min | Comedy, Drama | 2002
Narrative films about “finding oneself” through miserable circumstances can sometime come off as contrived. If they don’t seem contrived, they can sometimes fall into another undesirable, yet all-too-common category: the overly saccharine and schmaltzy.
Just last week I watched and reviewed the phenomenal 2013 film “Nebraska” (starring Bruce Dern, Will Forte, and June Squibb), directed by one of my new favorite directors (who coincidentally is from Nebraska), Alexander Payne. It simultaneously managed to be earthy, raw, and hilarious. So, when I'd discovered that he directed another movie about a man going through some serious trials and tribulations, but still tries to make amends for past wrongs, I knew it wouldn’t fit into either of the aforementioned categories.
This older, 2002 film, “About Schmidt,” stars none other than the great Jack Nicholson. Payne also uses the criminally underappreciated June Squibb—a consummate character actress with some serious gravitas. It’s safe to say that schmaltzy wouldn’t be allowed anywhere around either of these performers.
Making Up for the Past
Nicholson plays Warren Schmidt, who has worked at Woodmen of the World, a life insurance company, for his entire life. As the first act unfolds, Schmidt is attending his retirement celebration with his wife Helen (Squibb).
As his retirement days roll by, we sense Schmidt’s restlessness. This manifests itself in things like aimlessly flipping through TV channels, or sitting at his desk in his study and filling out boxes in magazine word games, which to him at least emulates the structure of his old work office. He feels as though he should be doing something worthwhile and productive.
He even pays his young replacement a visit and asks the man if he needs help with anything. Unfortunately, the man declines, and Schmidt dourly departs (although he tells his wife that his offer of help was accepted).
While flipping through TV channels one day, Schmidt watches an ad for Plan USA, an international humanitarian organization that allows adults to foster-adopt destitute children from third world countries, for the sum of $22 a month. He orders an information package and comes across the photograph of a 6-year-old African boy named Ndugu Umbo.
The foster program encourages adoptive parents to write to their new children and in some hilarious scenes, Schmidt unleashes a flurry of letters to Ndugu that have to do with his life’s triumphs and tragedies, as well as a lengthy list of little things that bother him—chief among them some of his wife’s undesirable habits and annoying idiosyncrasies. I haven’t had such a good laugh in quite a while (well, besides with “Nebraska”).
Regardless, he has been planning a road trip with Helen for a long time. Their vehicle of choice is a humongous Winnebago that barely fits in their driveway.
But a family tragedy causes Schmidt to reflect on his life and re-examine himself.
Part of his life’s journey entails taking a whack at reconciling with his estranged daughter, who is scheduled to marry an unsavory character whom he dislikes. Watch for the scene of the betrothed man’s family wolfing down food like a pack of feral hyenas while Schmidt recoils in disgust—it’s hilarious.
At a certain point, Schmidt attempts to make amends for the wrongs he committed in his past. Again, there’s nothing that feels phony about this important period of his life. Rather, it’s heartfelt and inspirational, bolstered by Nicholson’s immense radiance and ample acting chops.
“About Schmidt” not only lived up to my expectations (after seeing “Nebraska”), it surpassed them. This is another character-driven tale about normal people living through fascinating circumstances. It also showcases Payne’s gift for transmuting the ordinary into the extraordinary. Although we see funky bars and dilapidated motels, non-descript chain restaurants and dingy liquor stores, this becomes cinematic poetry taken to another level entirely.
