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About Schmidt
About Schmidt
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About Schmidt

About Schmidt

2002
Comedy
Drama
2h 5m
Warren Schmidt (Nicholson) has arrived at several of life's crossroads all at the same time. With no job, no wife, and no family, he is desperate to find something meaningful in his thoroughly unimpressive life. He sets out on a journey of self-discovery, exploring his roots across Nebraska in a 35-foot motor home. (New Line Productions)

Directed by:

Alexander Payne Alexander Payne

Written by:

Alexander Payne Alexander Payne Jim Taylor Jim Taylor Louis Begley
+2 more

Starring:

Jack Nicholson Jack Nicholson Hope Davis Hope Davis Dermot Mulroney Dermot Mulroney June Squibb June Squibb Kathy Bates Kathy Bates Howard Hesseman Howard Hesseman Len Cariou Len Cariou Connie Ray Connie Ray Phil Reeves Phil Reeves Harry Groener Mark Venhuizen Cheryl Hamada
More

Genres:

Comedy, Drama

Country:

USA

Language:

English
imdb More information at IMDb
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About Schmidt

2002
Comedy
Drama
2h 5m
Your probable score
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer
Avg Percentile 51.95% from 5018 total ratings
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

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martintellerMartinTeller
Rated 02 Mar 2007
81
69th
Really liked this as a contemplative character study. Jack's career is so hit or miss, but films like this and As Good As It Gets shows he's still praiseworthy.
Rated 02 Mar 2007
davidblastDavidBlast
Rated 28 Aug 2011
50
43rd
Indie road movie about old and miserable people. Nicholson does a top notch job, but Payne's sadistic hatred for his characters makes this more akin to a drama version of 'The Big Lebowski' than 'As Good as It Gets'. This is bad.
Rated 28 Aug 2011
gnalkhereGnalkhere
Rated 31 Jan 2018
85
82nd
tfw jack nicholson
Rated 31 Jan 2018
nandorizzinandorizzi
Rated 08 Oct 2007
100
99th
An incredible acting of Jack Nicholson. A simple and sad movie, which shows with loyalty the feeling and the way of life empty and lonely, full of doubts that reach most of the persons in the today world.
Rated 08 Oct 2007
pickpocketPickpocket
Rated 26 Apr 2008
9
93rd
An interesting, funny, heartbreaking and honest look at old age. Nicholson is great and so is the rest of the cast. Very depressing and the ending was near perfection.
Rated 26 Apr 2008
lucluc
Rated 27 May 2009
75
85th
A great actor J.Nicholson, one of my favourite actors and a good drama movie that you can expect of him. Very good movie and the end was so awesome that I almost cry with him, an old, very lonely guy that he played.
Rated 27 May 2009
billyshearsBillyShears
Rated 10 Jan 2012
90
92nd
Thank goodness for that terrific ending to briefly quell my screaming from Kathy Bates utterly macabre nude scene.
Rated 10 Jan 2012
vandelay1Vandelay1
Rated 14 Oct 2009
80
90th
Nice Movie
Rated 14 Oct 2009
crazymoronxcrazymoronx
Rated 09 Jul 2010
86
95th
I loved this movie. It was hilarious in some ways (not sure if it was meant to be but every time Jack wrote a letter to Undugu, or whatever his name was, I was rolling), and very touching and very enjoyable.
Rated 09 Jul 2010
cclzaCCLZA
Rated 05 Mar 2007
80
77th
As usual, Payne delivers a delicious screenplay with dark humor and satire. And of course Mr. Nicholson is in top form.
Rated 05 Mar 2007
filliganFilligan
Rated 06 Mar 2007
87
67th
Nicholson reminds us that he's one of the most gifted actors to ever grace the screen as Warren Schmidt. He's restrained, thoughtful, depressed, it's one of his best performances in his entire career. But the film is wonderful as well. Payne's direction is simple yet beautiful, it compliments the story perfectly. A glorious message about life and how to have an impact on the world.
Rated 06 Mar 2007
thedicemanTheDiceman
Rated 07 Mar 2007
70
82nd
Jacks always a pleasure to watch and didnt disappoint in this very good film.
Rated 07 Mar 2007
farzanFarzan
Rated 07 Mar 2007
85
83rd
About Schmidt is a fantastic film, really sad and depressing. I really don't want to grow old and feel any sort of connection with Schmidt, then I know I'm screwed,
Rated 07 Mar 2007
stainStain
Rated 02 Apr 2007
90
86th
Part comedy, part tragedy. Works both ways. Jack Nicholson is terrific, and the rest of the cast ain't bad neither
Rated 02 Apr 2007
wetwillieswetwillies
Rated 08 Jun 2013
90
80th
That ending fucking knocked me out. Funny as all hell, but also really depressing. A fantastic balance. Jack Nicholson gives his best performance of the past 13 years. I really, really like Alexander Payne's movies.
Rated 08 Jun 2013
jacobkoshjacobkosh
Rated 03 Aug 2007
75
31st
A nice effort from Payne but the end was rather unfocused and the Dear Ndugu schtick wore off fast.
Rated 03 Aug 2007
agentsnipeAgentSnipe
Rated 14 Aug 2007
80
67th
This movie is quite an emotional rollercoaster. It goes from amusing to sad to poignant to tragic as Warren Schmidt's life begins to crumble and he tries to pick up the pieces alone and in a motor home.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
svicciarellisvicciarelli
Rated 14 Aug 2007
80
32nd
Worth watching just because it deals earnestly with topics not normally addressed in movies, and does it with a style all its own.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
spoonerspotspoonerspot
Rated 14 Aug 2007
76
36th
Okay, Jack Nicholson was good butt was the nude scene of Kathy Bates really necessary?
Rated 14 Aug 2007
dustydDustyd
Rated 15 Sep 2007
75
79th
Interesting and well acted character piece. It's about 10 minutes too long, but it is still very much worth watching. The final scenes are terrific.
Rated 15 Sep 2007
spaceflohspacefloh
Rated 23 Mar 2008
66
72nd
eng
Rated 23 Mar 2008
tathieltathiel
Rated 23 Sep 2008
83
79th
Well, something different from Mr. Nicholson. Nice try though.
Rated 23 Sep 2008
jschlanskyJSchlansky
Rated 27 Dec 2022
78
72nd
I've come to the conclusion that Alexander Payne is the thinking man's Judd Apatow (the man who's thinking also needs to be slightly depressed)
Rated 27 Dec 2022
wezzoWezzo
Rated 08 Mar 2012
96
96th
Jack Nicholson is superb. The ending of the movie is one of the most poignant I've seen, and the journey is extremely thought-provoking.
Rated 08 Mar 2012
okkervilOkkervil
Rated 31 Jul 2009
82
87th
Such a great film. Nicholson really is brilliant in this movie, and is backed up a supurb support cast and some delicate and clever direction from the talented Payne. Funny, and moving, with a beautifully presented ending. A great watch.
Rated 31 Jul 2009
ewp805ewp805
Rated 27 Aug 2009
83
80th
Getting old blows.
Rated 27 Aug 2009
sirstuckeySirStuckey
Rated 24 May 2015
90
94th
This film had a great impact on me when I saw it in college. It made me decide to change my major from business to what would lead to a number of other things. Eventually I graduated with social and behavioral sciences and I am currently some lackey in a cubicle. Had I got that business degree maybe I would at least be making more money. Fuck this movie.
Rated 24 May 2015
cahadras1Cahadras1
Rated 10 Dec 2009
80
56th
i like it!
Rated 10 Dec 2009
chuchaquiChuchaqui
Rated 01 Dec 2006
81
55th
Strong drama with a great Nicholson.
Rated 01 Dec 2006
peaceanarchyPeaceAnarchy
Rated 12 Dec 2006
69
23rd
Maybe when I'm old I'll watch this again and it will reveal great insight, as of now though it just feels really forced and trite, although the acting is quite good.
Rated 12 Dec 2006
vince_leoVince Leo
Rated 03 Jan 2007
82
90th
ABOUT SCHMIDT is a bittersweet film, but with an edge. It is a must-see for fans of Nicholson, who gives his best work since AS GOOD AS IT GETS, although I could have done without seeing his backside...or Kathy Bates' for that matter.
Rated 03 Jan 2007
jawlessjoeJawlessJoe
Rated 18 Feb 2007
94
90th
A true moral if there ever was one. Like a slice of real life, except interesting.
Rated 18 Feb 2007
schnofelschnofel
Rated 28 Feb 2007
60
53rd
Flat and droll, without a character to anchor the viewer. In a way Payne knows that famous Thoreau quote from the start, that's why his superiority shines through even in the gentle tone. Most memorable is the last scene, and I still don't know if it expresses a genuine sentiment or just another humiliation.
Rated 28 Feb 2007
neonmanNeonman
Rated 06 Sep 2013
43
4th
It has its moments of portraying the bleak, indifferent modern lifestyle we sometimes (or often) see ourselves in. But unfortunately, this film really lets its brilliance slip and it becomes a stilted, ordinary story of an old man searching for his soul, and its one of the worst of those kind of films. The ending is horribly saccharine, and Nicholson's usual brilliance as an actor doesn't stop the horrendous writing from further souring this film.
Rated 06 Sep 2013
yiannosYiannos
Rated 11 Nov 2014
63
54th
Nicholson gives his best late career performance as a retired man coming to terms with the meaningless nature of his own life. Payne effectively delivers uncomfortable truths about aging with stinging humor in the first half, but the second half is far too conventionally played out to be truly satisfying. Schmidt's dilemma is also too conveniently resolved to make a real impact. Payne revisited and improved upon similar thematic territory with Nebraska ten years later .
Rated 11 Nov 2014
nilkynarfynilkynarfy
Rated 20 Mar 2007
78
72nd
While I thought it was funny, well-acted and well-written, I just wanted Kathy Bates' character to be more involved with the story than she was. Besides Jack Nicholson, she uses the most screen time, but we still leave her feeling a bit let down, as if we never really got to know her or understand her motivations. Maybe that was the point, but I still can't help but feel disappointed.
Rated 20 Mar 2007
myfavchordsmyfavchords
Rated 17 Apr 2024
78
72nd
Jack Nicholson gives a great, understated performance in this film. The supporting cast also do good work in this movie. The script has several good moments but works best as a character study. Overall I would recommend this film.
Rated 17 Apr 2024
woozybWoozyB
Rated 11 Jun 2007
85
73rd
A surprisingly funny and heartfelt look at an aging fuck-up on the road to find out who he is.
Rated 11 Jun 2007
teddedonTedDedon
Rated 15 Jul 2007
77
54th
Kathy Bates tits hang low and the wobble to the floor. you can tie them in a knot. you can tie them in a bow. you can throw them over your shoulder.. i forget the rest of the words
Rated 15 Jul 2007
lokiLoki
Rated 14 Aug 2007
70
52nd
A very funny, moving story with a perfect performance from Nicholson at it's core.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
dwheedwhee
Rated 14 Aug 2007
89
89th
A tragic but whimsical look at old age.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
margustaMargusTa
Rated 26 Oct 2020
85
83rd
I really was stunned when i watched this movie. There's not many movies about aging... just hundreds of stupid teenage comedy's. About Schmidt is a real sun ray, lightening up cinematographic landscape. Film is very natural and humbly funny. Nicholson is excellent as all the cast.
Rated 26 Oct 2020
jasonJason
Rated 14 Aug 2007
81
21st
Subtle and telling
Rated 14 Aug 2007
jhensonjhenson
Rated 14 Aug 2007
86
80th
It's funny and cute and sometimes dirty. Essentially watching an old man stumble through a misbegotten life.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
kellybookellyboo
Rated 14 Aug 2007
90
89th
What a great movie
Rated 14 Aug 2007
kake2000kake2000
Rated 14 Aug 2007
80
83rd
A glorious Jack Nicholson
Rated 14 Aug 2007
sushiwritersushiwriter
Rated 14 Aug 2007
76
39th
A good movie but I can't identify with it.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
matthagenmatthagen
Rated 11 Mar 2020
79
91st
Seen: 2.
Rated 11 Mar 2020
talonmalontalonmalon
Rated 13 May 2013
86
72nd
Another fantastic performance by a great actor, Jack Nicholson. About Schmidt is a very sad movie, but it needs to be seen.
Rated 13 May 2013
justthinkitjustthinkit
Rated 05 Aug 2011
80
64th
Good thanks to Jack, Jack and only Jack.
Rated 05 Aug 2011
citysqwirlcitysqwirl
Rated 14 Aug 2007
75
54th
Distressing bleak, but still very funny. It's always wonderful seeing Jack play a real person, and his Schmidt was totally believable. Plus Kathy Bates is always the best.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
manilla_73manilla-73
Rated 14 Aug 2007
75
87th
Nicholson calms down and plays the part perfectly.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
irskokopileirskokopile
Rated 14 Aug 2007
80
62nd
wow, this movie is great, while i was watching it, it seemed to me that the movie is lasting for sooo long,but it great
Rated 14 Aug 2007
corncabreCornCabre
Rated 14 Aug 2007
60
41st
I'm sorry. It's boring.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
bruziebruzie
Rated 14 Aug 2007
85
90th
Once again, JN plays a fruit-loop. He's gonna get typecast if he doesn't watch out...
Rated 14 Aug 2007
timon88Timon88
Rated 18 Feb 2020
77
77th
Knowing nothing much about this when I saw it, this was a far more thoughtful movie than I expected. Nicholson's performance was beautifully understated...so much so that I was continually questioning whether it was really him (seriously). Kathy Bates dominated (in the best possible way) every scene she was in--and with Jack Nicholson around, that's no easy feat.
Rated 18 Feb 2020
dingobergerDingoBerger
Rated 23 Feb 2013
68
66th
Not bad, Jack
Rated 23 Feb 2013
greatscott85GreatScott85
Rated 28 Apr 2011
91
78th
An thoroughly excellent,funny and touching examination of a man finding direction after retirement and bereavement that proves one of Jack Nicholson's finest acting showcases.
Rated 28 Apr 2011
cohillelCohillel
Rated 14 Aug 2007
45
5th
Again, feel-bad movies pretending to be smart. Even the king himself didn't save this film.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
rdwn29905rdwn29905
Rated 14 Aug 2007
71
55th
jake has a winner with a killer ending
Rated 14 Aug 2007
maledeimaledei
Rated 14 Aug 2007
70
52nd
painful. good film, but it hurts to watch!
Rated 14 Aug 2007
fabfunkfabfunk
Rated 14 Aug 2007
87
81st
Affecting Nicholson performance detracts from the sardonic tone that swallows the cartoony supporting cast whole. Kathy Bates takes steam out of the whole thing, but it's so nuanced that you don't notice.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
zwykzwyk
Rated 21 Jun 2019
72
67th
In general it's a correct work, I actually didn't understand where Payne's reputation came from prior to watching this movie, it now makes some sense. Warren's trip contains some of the most irregular moments of the story: the kiss, talking to the stars.
Rated 21 Jun 2019
bencgauldbencgauld
Rated 20 Jul 2023
85
71st
Nicholas shines as a melancholy man staring back at a life poorly lived. Great inside Omaha cameos and the Payne is a master at highlighting thr subtle absurdity of character interactions for maximum comedy. The opening montage captures the monochrome doldrums of Schmidts life and the narrative structure through letters is as inventive as it is potent
Rated 20 Jul 2023
ytadelYtadel
Rated 14 Aug 2007
5
57th
It's well-written, but it's so god damn depressing. It makes me want to kill myself.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
nathan_sNathan S
Rated 14 Aug 2007
3
45th
A wonderfully poignant story of a man coming to terms with old age. Ranges from heartbreaking to hilarious, with Nicholson as charismatic as ever.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
fartfart
Rated 18 Aug 2007
75
47th
Worth watching for Kathy Bates and Jack Nicholson as realistic people.
Rated 18 Aug 2007
stflyst_fly
Rated 22 Aug 2007
85
86th
very Good
Rated 22 Aug 2007
babaracusbabaracus
Rated 13 Nov 2023
8
70th
unusual role for Nicholson. good
Rated 13 Nov 2023
sonovagunsonovagun
Rated 17 Oct 2007
60
71st
I really liked this movie. Wry and witty take on getting old and lonely.
Rated 17 Oct 2007
mistersplicemistersplice
Rated 30 Nov 2007
70
64th
- highly recommended
Rated 30 Nov 2007
raiders2000raiders2000
Rated 26 Feb 2008
80
29th
Well-done film and Nicholson is great.
Rated 26 Feb 2008
john_lockeJohn Locke
Rated 05 Mar 2008
83
32nd
Jack Nicholson continues to make gold.
Rated 05 Mar 2008
tripwyreTripwyre
Rated 16 Mar 2008
73
64th
Payne has mastered the dramedy, but this one isn't on par with Sideways, or Election -- mostly because it doesn't balance the scales between comedy and drama quite as well as the other two. No, this one is tipped quite heavily in the drama direction, despite some great comedic performances from Dermot Mulroney and Kathy Bates. It's a very moving film: by the end, you will cry. A strong cautionary tale that says life is short, and then you're old. I don't think they come much sadder than that.
Rated 16 Mar 2008
mervtaylorMerv_Taylor
Rated 17 Jun 2012
90
74th
Good
Rated 17 Jun 2012
sorksork
Rated 02 Jun 2008
37
25th
Nicholson continues to act beyond his peak. He is no longer the character in the movie, but rather is crotchety self. Uninspiring.
Rated 02 Jun 2008
bampbamp
Rated 08 Jul 2008
80
25th
kind sad, grat jackperformance.
Rated 08 Jul 2008
kavkav
Rated 12 Jul 2008
78
70th
Upliftingly depressing.
Rated 12 Jul 2008
tedted
Rated 27 Jul 2008
67
40th
It has its moments, but doesn't add up to much. The epistolary narration device seemed contrived. Nicholson's performance is nothing special, despite the awards.
Rated 27 Jul 2008
ale_jetAle-Jet
Rated 01 Jun 2012
82
51st
Jack Nicholson er fantastisk i denne filmen. Spiller en som akkurat er pensjonert og som får realiteten i fleisen. Solid film til ettertanke.
Rated 01 Jun 2012
spanksSpanks
Rated 11 Apr 2011
70
69th
lol @ Kathy Bates and the hot tub scene
Rated 11 Apr 2011
empiremagempiremag
Rated 18 Feb 2009
4
71st
"Taps into Nicholson's wonderfully dry comic talents, proving he really does know how to act his age."
Rated 18 Feb 2009
xinsightxinsight
Rated 02 Mar 2009
75
32nd
Solid film. A bit depressing.
Rated 02 Mar 2009
rthornhillrthornhill
Rated 26 Mar 2009
90
72nd
Gloomy, somewhat slow paced film which is redeemed by its ending.
Rated 26 Mar 2009
eyeforfilmeyeforfilm
Rated 01 Apr 2009
40
68th
"About Schmidt is about wasted lives. These people are dull, sad or whingesomely vulgar."
Rated 01 Apr 2009
thmertensth_mertens
Rated 15 May 2009
68
45th
Realistic but still with a touch of comedy. It's hard to come by. The comedy is found in almost useless details, but this is what gives this movie its charme. The subtile lift ups in what looks like a depression is moving. ... That's why I thought the sone in law's family was a bit too much. The realism of it all was gone. But thanks to Jack Nicholson's one man show this is really worth your while.
Rated 15 May 2009
sellissellis
Rated 30 Jun 2009
90
88th
In the 70s, we had very American stories of liberated women (ie. Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore). This is the story of a liberated suburban man, and feels like Payne's most insightful satire.
Rated 30 Jun 2009
wildebethWildebeth
Rated 04 Jul 2009
55
12th
This was so horribly painful to watch.
Rated 04 Jul 2009
rufusRufus
Rated 19 Jul 2009
85
42nd
Again a great role for Nicholson. Without him, this film wouldn't be much.
Rated 19 Jul 2009
moraesfelipemoraesfelipe
Rated 29 Jan 2012
64
56th
Another deep examination of the male conscience -- and again in Nebraska --, this deadpan comedy by Payne benefits mostly from Nicholson's deadly angry and depressed performance. But, above the soul-searching thing of its main character, this is also a drama about an old man whose life is falling apart -- his wife is dead, his daughter is marrying a jerk. And his salvation might be just one single (and maybe final) spark of tenderness.
Rated 29 Jan 2012
1jesper11jesper1
Rated 13 Dec 2009
70
45th
Eccentric performance by Nicholson
Rated 13 Dec 2009
billkerwinbillkerwin
Rated 22 Dec 2009
89
80th
Another fine small film by Alexander Payne that gets every detail exactly right in--in the process--becomes great. Nicholson and Kathy Bates are marvelous.
Rated 22 Dec 2009
dwyerdwyer
Rated 10 Jan 2010
60
15th
By itself, it is a forgettable film, setting up some kind of emotional equation it never solves, like those reactions in tenth-grade chemistry you have to balance, connecting this oxygen atom to that hydrogen atom and making it all even out. Examined as part of Payne's filmography, which was my intention this time, it's a lot more interesting. (previously rated 66; reduced to 60 seven years later after repeated viewings)
Rated 10 Jan 2010
cinemaasiaCinema_Asia
Rated 20 Jan 2010
80
84th
Payne's best film by far and Nicholson is simply incredible in this as a doddering desperate horny old man clinging to the past and living on borrowed time.
Rated 20 Jan 2010
backwardsuitbackwardsuit
Rated 05 May 2015
72
56th
Enjoyable, forgettable. Jack Nicholson plays Jack Nicholson better than anyone else.
Rated 05 May 2015
rymRYM
Rated 29 Mar 2015
67
64th
3.33/5
Rated 29 Mar 2015
tinysausagetinysausage
Rated 13 Oct 2010
77
72nd
Wasn't quite sure whether it was a black comedy or a heart warmer. Great performance from Nicholson.
Rated 13 Oct 2010
slantmagSlantMag
Rated 19 Oct 2010
15
21st
"Schmidt is a credible creation yet Payne's contempt runs synonymous to that of his native son's." - Ed Gonzalez
Rated 19 Oct 2010
dropdedjamesdropdedjames
Rated 12 Nov 2010
8
71st
lookin' good, Kathy!
Rated 12 Nov 2010
rufamRufam
Rated 10 Dec 2010
75
72nd
The somber "About Schmidt" is a bittersweet (but mostly bitter) character study, a funny as well as moving film that boosts a staggering performance from Jack Nicholson. Payne's simple direction is great and, although the script often seems to head towards the wrong direction, this remains a touching, realistic and, frankly, hugely depressing film that serves a poignant meditation on aging, dissatisfaction and loneliness. It's very good, but it is also a gigantic downer.
Rated 10 Dec 2010

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