Besides that, it also stands out as one of the dullest Oscar presentations of all time. However, at least there was something worth watching: Jack Nicholson’s nomination for the Best Actor in About Schmidt. Adrien Brody won in his role as The Pianist but before he left he kissed a happily married Halle Berry right on stage. Nevertheless, his role in About Schmidt was not awarded with this gold figurine; nonetheless, it is still unforgettable. Add some splendid performances of all principals (including Kathy Bates Dermont Mulroney and Hope Davis), and About Schmidt becomes one of those films you will watch each time.
Warren Schmidt(Jack Nicholson) is retiring from actuarial insurance. He loses his wife soon after retirement and then his only daughter (Hope Davis) marries. On the way to her wedding Schmidt takes off in the couple’s new RV to see America firsthand. Along the way he meets other travelers, has some sort of mystical experience atop the motor home and reaches his daughters home two days early for her wedding ceremony.The story really picks up when he spends time with Randall’s parents and Roberta Hertzel(Kathy Bates). It unfolds in a series of voiceovers as Schmidt writes letters to an African boy named Ndugu who he “met” through one such Adopt-A-Child program.These instances are very well used by filmmakers to let us know what Warren is up to throughout the movie.
About Schmidt will remain one of Nicholson’s most unguarded performances ever. Unlike some aged Hollywood icons, nicholson doesn’t hide behind age makeups. In a famous scene Kathy Bates joins Jack Nicholsen in a hot tubnaked which turns out to be a gigantic middle finger towards all those empty hardbodies that are cluttering up our screens today with their stupid films.Somehow Payne has managed to communicate this honestly across our screens. There isn’t any overinflated or highly implausible plot lines, no disgusting body jokes to make you sick, and no other such attracting devices that you’d anticipate for a movie with the target audience way beyond the standard shootouts and explosions. Under Payne’s direction (Election), the film is so manipulative that by the time it comes to its beautiful end, one feels totally exhausted.While on this journey however the viewer experiences some great comedy along with an amazing script and groundbreaking performances. In short: About Schmidt works because each character is so easy to attach to, that you could go anywhere they would lead.
Two words: awesome transfer. I was actually a little nervous about this one as Payne’s films never really push the limits of cinematography or color. Most directors would brighten everything up with a couple of lights in the corners but Payne seems quite happy to let some long shadows take over certain scenes.About Schmidt is very natural feeling; much like Election or any number of smaller budget movies which rely more on storyline than flashiness.Some examples are scenes inside out RV, dinner before wedding,and a funeral “party” at Warren’s place, where low light worked really well.
For some unclear purpose, About Schmidt is mixed with DTS track beside the customary 5.1 goodness. I am not sure why this decision was made because the movie does not ever stretch its muscle sonically as such. In the end, the lack of wide staging and broad sound is perfectly acceptable as it’s in line with the subject matter. Some interesting things happen during the pre-wedding dinner (forks clanking, glasses sloshing) but that’s about it. Dialogue is appropriately centered and mixed well.
There isn’t much in terms of documentaries or your average assortment of extras. However, we do have a smattering of deleted scenes—each one starting off with plenty of text explaining why it got cut or trimmed down. Most of these cuts appear understandable but there are a few that would actually be worth seeing despite their slowing down pace of film.
Additionally offered are various short movies made by Alexander Payne, mostly shot around second unit footage of Woodmen Building. One of them was used for opening credit sequence. Trailers are also present.
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