About Schmidt Movie Review 2002

Jack's back and playing against type as Warren Schmidt, a man left with virtually no identity once he retires from his ho-hum insurance job. Left only with time to reflect on a meaningless life, he questions everything he once took for granted, including Helen (Squibb), his wife of 42 years. The day after his retirement, the couple shares breakfast before Helen suddenly dies. With nothing left to lose, Schmidt hits the road in a Winnebago to visit his daughter and try to find some meaning in his poorly thought-out life. In Denver, he meets and immediately hates his daughter's cheesy salesman fiance Randall (Mulroney), while Randall's flowsy mother Roberta (Bates) tries to seduce the lonely introvert in a hot tub. Combines humor, pathos, and hope with a first rate performance by Nicholson, who quashes any of his characteristic animation. Davis, Mulroney, and especially Bates are also excellent.

Distribution

Warner Home Video, Inc., 5775 Linder Canyon Rd., Westlake Village, CA 91362, URL: http://whv.warnerbros.com, Remarks: Does not handle retail queries from consumers; contact your local video distributor.

Available on VHS, DVD
Running time 124 minutes.
Originally from United States.

Cast and Crew

Genres

Widows & Widowers, Growing Older, Road Trip, Dads, Wedding Bells, Funerals, Insurance

Screenplay

Alexander Payne, Jim Taylor

Cast

Jack Nicholson, Hope Davis, Dermot Mulroney, Kathy Bates, Len Cariou, Howard Hesseman, June Squibb

Cinematography

James Glennon

Director

Alexander Payne

Music

Rolfe Kent

Other

Art Rochester, Kevin Tent, Wendy Chuck, Jane Ann Stewart

Producer

Harry Gittes, Michael Besman, New Line Cinema

Awards

Golden Globes 2003: Actor--Drama (Nicholson), Screenplay; L.A. Film Critics 2002: Actor (Nicholson), Film, Screenplay; Natl. Bd. of Review 2002: Support. Actress (Bates).