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About Schmidt

  • 20022002
  • RR
  • 2h 5m
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
128K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Jack Nicholson in About Schmidt (2002)
Theatrical Trailer from New Line Cinema
Play trailer2:36
1 Video
99+ Photos
  • Comedy
  • Drama

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.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.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.

IMDb RATING
7.2/10
128K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Alexander Payne
  • Writers
    • Louis Begley(novel "About Schmidt")
    • Alexander Payne(screenplay)
    • Jim Taylor(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Jack Nicholson
    • Hope Davis
    • Dermot Mulroney
Top credits
  • Director
    • Alexander Payne
  • Writers
    • Louis Begley(novel "About Schmidt")
    • Alexander Payne(screenplay)
    • Jim Taylor(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Jack Nicholson
    • Hope Davis
    • Dermot Mulroney
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 658User reviews
    • 198Critic reviews
    • 85Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 2 Oscars
      • 25 wins & 71 nominations total

    Videos1

    About Schmidt
    Trailer 2:36
    About Schmidt

    Photos196

    Dermot Mulroney in About Schmidt (2002)
    Jack Nicholson and Alexander Payne in About Schmidt (2002)
    Jack Nicholson in About Schmidt (2002)
    Jack Nicholson, Dermot Mulroney, and Hope Davis in About Schmidt (2002)
    Jack Nicholson in About Schmidt (2002)
    Hope Davis in About Schmidt (2002)
    Kathy Bates in About Schmidt (2002)
    Alexander Payne in About Schmidt (2002)
    Jack Nicholson in About Schmidt (2002)
    Jack Nicholson, Kathy Bates, Cheryl Hamada, Howard Hesseman, and Mark Venhuizen in About Schmidt (2002)
    Kathy Bates in About Schmidt (2002)
    Jack Nicholson, Dermot Mulroney, Kathy Bates, and Hope Davis in About Schmidt (2002)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Jack Nicholson
    Jack Nicholson
    • Warren Schmidtas Warren Schmidt
    Hope Davis
    Hope Davis
    • Jeannie Schmidtas Jeannie Schmidt
    Dermot Mulroney
    Dermot Mulroney
    • Randall Hertzelas Randall Hertzel
    Kathy Bates
    Kathy Bates
    • Roberta Hertzelas Roberta Hertzel
    June Squibb
    June Squibb
    • Helen Schmidtas Helen Schmidt
    Howard Hesseman
    Howard Hesseman
    • Larry Hertzelas Larry Hertzel
    Harry Groener
    Harry Groener
    • John Ruskas John Rusk
    Connie Ray
    Connie Ray
    • Vicki Ruskas Vicki Rusk
    Len Cariou
    Len Cariou
    • Ray Nicholsas Ray Nichols
    Mark Venhuizen
    • Duncan Hertzelas Duncan Hertzel
    Cheryl Hamada
    • Saundraas Saundra
    Phil Reeves
    Phil Reeves
    • Minister in Denveras Minister in Denver
    Matt Winston
    Matt Winston
    • Gary Nordin - Warren's Replacementas Gary Nordin - Warren's Replacement
    James M. Connor
    James M. Connor
    • Randall's Best Manas Randall's Best Man
    • (as James Micheal Connor)
    Jill Anderson
    • Bridesmaid Reading St. Paulas Bridesmaid Reading St. Paul
    Vaughan Wenzel
    • Man Mourning Helenas Man Mourning Helen
    Judith Kathryn Hart
    • Woman Mourning Helenas Woman Mourning Helen
    Marilyn Tipp
    Marilyn Tipp
    • Neighbor Ladyas Neighbor Lady
    • (scenes deleted)
    • Director
      • Alexander Payne
    • Writers
      • Louis Begley(novel "About Schmidt")
      • Alexander Payne(screenplay)
      • Jim Taylor(screenplay)
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit
    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. —wacoastguy
    • female nudity
    • female rear nudity
    • minden nebraska
    • retirement party
    • recreational vehicle
    • 160 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • Schmidt Happens
    • Genres
      • Comedy
      • Drama
    • Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
      • Rated R for some language and brief nudity
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      When Jack Nicholson received the Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Drama, he commented afterward, "I'm a little surprised. I thought we had made a comedy."
    • Goofs
      The seasons change back and forth, between winter and summer. Sometimes the trees are bare, but in the next scene, they're full again. At the beginning of the movie, the trees are bare and it's gray and cold. Yet, two weeks later he leaves on his trip and it's summer all of a sudden.
    • Quotes

      Warren Schmidt: Relatively soon, I will die. Maybe in 20 years, maybe tomorrow, it doesn't matter. Once I am dead and everyone who knew me dies too, it will be as though I never existed. What difference has my life made to anyone. None that I can think of. None at all.

    • Crazy credits
      The film title appears above the New Line Cinema Release credit as end credits are done.
    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: The Best Films of 2002 (2003)
    • Soundtracks
      You Sexy Thing
      (1974)

      Written by Errol Brown

      Performed by Hot Chocolate

      Courtesy of EMI Records Ltd.

      Under license from EMI-Capitol Music Special Markets

    User reviews658

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    Great note on appreciating what you have while still have it
    This is an inspiring story. It teaches me so much about what is important in life. Jack Nicholson, with a great performance as Warren R. Schmidt is an example of an American middle class after retiring. For many years he has worked as an actuary at a big insurance company. After retiring, Jack at home, while watching television, he decides to sponsor a six years old boy (Ndugu) from Tanzania. Sending a check of US$ 22,00 every month, he is also required to write a letter to the boy. In the process of writing these letters, he vents out to the boy about his life frustrations, his lost dreams and the dilemma he is in. He is married for forty-two years with his wife Helen (June Squibb) and he has a daughter living in Denver, Jeannie Schmidt (Hope Davis) who will marry a looser pretty soon. He misses his daughter. A few days after his retirement, his wife dies, and Jack realizes how important the wife was in his life now even though he never appreciated her. The director of the movie, Alexander Payne takes the audiences with Jack on a trip in a trailer to visit specific places in America. He mainly makes Jack visit the places where he has been before physically but at the same time Jack was revisiting his own life inside. In this trip he realizes what really matters in life - friendship, family and sharing- then why it is important to appreciate them whenever you have a chance.

    In 'Citizen Kane' (1941), the director Orson Welles portrays the same idea when creating Mr. Kane. The movie is more than the story of a tycoon's rise and fall; it is an account of what is ultimately important in a person's life. Even though Kane attains riches and prestige, he is far from happy. He ends with two failed marriages and few friends. At his dying bed, all he has left is his reminiscences - and something called "Rosebud." In 'About Schmidt' the director Alexander Payne uses voiceover to convey Jack's thoughts and memories throughout the movie. To be specific it is when Jack is writing a letter to the boy he sponsors - (Ndugu), at the same time Payne is informing the audience about Jack's regrets and pain concerning his wife and daughter while the movie is still rolling on. I think this is a great technique.I believe this has been a great adventure and wake up call to many Americans as to what is important in life and why we should cherish every moment of it.
    helpful•38
    10
    • jbonzon
    • Nov 28, 2003

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • January 3, 2003 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Las confesiones del Sr. Schmidt
    • Filming locations
      • Pioneer Village - 138 E. Highway 6, Minden, Nebraska, USA
    • Production companies
      • New Line Cinema
      • Avery Pix
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $30,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $65,016,287
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $282,367
      • Dec 15, 2002
    • Gross worldwide
      • $105,834,556
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 5 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • DTS
      • Dolby Digital
      • SDDS
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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