About Schmidt (2002)

A recently retired man embarks on a journey to his estranged daughter's wedding, only to discover more about himself and life than he ever expected.

Director:

Alexander Payne

Writers:

Louis Begley (novel), Alexander Payne (screenplay)

Stars:

Jack Nicholson, Hope Davis, Dermot Mulroney

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 25 wins & 69 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jack Nicholson	...	Warren Schmidt
Kathy Bates	...	Roberta Hertzel
Hope Davis	...	Jeannie Schmidt
Dermot Mulroney	...	Randall Hertzel
June Squibb	...	Helen Schmidt
Howard Hesseman	...	Larry Hertzel
Harry Groener	...	John Rusk
Connie Ray	...	Vicki Rusk
Len Cariou	...	Ray Nichols
Mark Venhuizen	...	Duncan Hertzel
Cheryl Hamada	...	Saundra
Phil Reeves	...	Minister in Denver
Matt Winston	...	Gary Nordin - Warren's Replacement
James M. Connor	...	Randall's Best Man (as James Micheal Connor)
Jill Anderson	...	Bridesmaid Reading St. Paul

Storyline

Warren Schmidt (Jack Nicholson) has led a safe, predictable life working in the insurance industry in Omaha, Nebraska for many years, yet now faces retirement. At the same time, he is forced to take a hard look at his wife, his life, and his relationship with his estranged daughter. An often hilarious series of events follow as Schmidt embarks on an unpredictable RV journey to attend his daughter's wedding in Denver, Colorado.

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Plot Keywords:

minden nebraska | retirement party | recreational vehicle | omaha nebraska | female nudity | 

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Taglines:

Schmidt Happens

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some language and brief nudity

Did You Know?

Trivia

The word "Ndugu" means "brother" literally in Kiswahili (same as Swahili). It is also used as slang for "friend" as in the U.S.

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Goofs

Warren travels to Holdrege, Nebraska, to visit his childhood home, at "12 Locust Avenue," which he discovers has been replaced by a tire store. This address does not exist, as there is no Locust Avenue in Holdrege.

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Quotes

Roberta Hertzel: You already know how famously they get along as friends, but did you know that their sex life is positively white hot? The main reason both of my marriages failed was sexual. I'm an extremely sexual person, I can't help it, it just how I'm wired, you know, even when I was a little girl. I had my first orgasm when I was 6 in ballet class. Anyway, the point is that I have been always very easily aroused and very orgasmic, Jeannie and I have a lot in common that way. Clifford and Larry, they were ...
[...]

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Crazy Credits

The film title appears above the New Line Cinema Release credit as end credits are done.

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Connections

Featured in WatchMojo: Top 10 Gratuitous Nude Movie Scenes (2013)

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Soundtracks

Sentimental Lady
(1972)
Written by Bob Welch (as Robert L. Welch)
Performed by Bob Welch
Courtesy of Capitol Records
Under license from EMI-Capitol Music Special Markets

User Reviews

Enormous emotional impact.

This is the saddest movie I've seen in years, maybe in my entire life. People who say it's comedy are dead wrong. It's a realistic, brutally true example of a failed life, and it's so tragic.

Nicholson plays Warren Schmidt, an insurance salesman, whose life crashes down on him when he retires. Nicholson, someone I've loved ever since I first saw him, gives his best performance since "One flew over the cuckoos nest". He's so subtle, so sad, so hollow. You don't doubt for a second that he is Schmidt. He has let his body age for the role, which makes him even more real.

Alexander Payne's direction is flawless. Everyone, simply everyone, does a great job portraying the various characters, from the hotshot newly educated young man who takes Schmidt's job, to the embarrassing buddy of Schmidt's daughter's fiancé.

This is a must-see movie. Even if you hate Jack in all his other movies, you will love him in this one. Don't expect a "hilarious comedy", though. This is a thoughtful movie and not "Anger Management".

10/10

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

3 January 2003 (USA)

Also Known As:

About Schmidt

Filming Locations:

Nebraska, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$30,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$282,367, 15 December 2002

Gross USA:

$65,016,287

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$105,834,556

Company Credits

Production Co:

New Line Cinema, Avery Pix

Technical Specs

Runtime:

125 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1