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About Schmidt

Play trailer Poster for About Schmidt R 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 09/02/2010
3/5
Heartfelt Nicholson, not for kids at all. Go to Full Review Peter Rainer New York Magazine/Vulture 01/16/2003
These filmmakers have a feeling for the isolation of blasted lives, but they also can't resist putting them down. Go to Full Review Stanley Kauffmann The New Republic 01/08/2003
A poignant marker in the career of a major artist. Go to Full Review James Croot The Post NZ 12/22/2022
4/5
This is Nicholson's show -- and he excels. Go to Full Review Danielle Solzman Solzy at the Movies 12/14/2022
4/5
Jack Nicholson delivers one of the best performances of his career in About Schmidt. Go to Full Review Joanne Laurier World Socialist Web Site 03/05/2021
The latest film by Alexander Payne (Election, Citizen Ruth) scrutinizes features of America's social fabric with a relatively sharp eye. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Circus E. @COS.ENT85 Apr 5 9/10 come on, its Jack, you can't go wrong. See more Linda G @Goldy78 Apr 1 Jack Nicholson and Kathy Bates. Enough said!! See more RichardAB T @PoorDearRichard Jan 24 About Schmidt is a quietly powerful, bittersweet exploration of life, aging, and the search for meaning. Jack Nicholson delivers a masterful, if occasionally unhinged, performance as Warren Schmidt, a recently retired man confronting the emptiness of routine and the unpredictability of family. Of course, Jack Nicholson is a premier actor, and without him this film might not have worked—but why does he always play a nutty person? I always enjoy seeing June Squibb in anything; she always seems so casual, like someone you’d genuinely want to know. Not flashy, but deeply relatable and satisfying—a reflective journey that might just make you question your own path in life. See more Anitakey K @Anitakey Dec 23 Alexander Payne is one of my favorite directors because his movies have heart. I agree with the critic that said this movie is not for children. You need to be towards middle age to identify with the story. Nicholson is an amazing actor. You can see so much of the tension and feelings in his eyes. Touching story about life and how we all come to terms with our mortality. Kathy Bates is equally fabulous with her open personality and vibrant lifestyle. Cast is excellent. See more Oggie B @OGDawg Nov 29 A character study that has the emotional richness of the great Italian and Eastern European films of the 1960s, in which humor and pathos rode up and down on the seesaw together. See more Cruise B @RT10531553 Sep 6 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. See more 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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