Warren Schmidt: Jack Nicholsen
Genie: Hope Davis
Randal: Dermot Mulroney
Roberta: Kathy Bates
About Schmidt
just might be the most depressing comedy in American
history. It's a satirical look at growing old in America and the
triteness of everyday life mixed with the feeling that you're
insignificant; that once you die it will be as if if you've never
existed. If that deep well of info turns you off about this movie don't
let it-this is some of the most fun you'll have watching a movie while
also getting something out of the experience.
The title speaks for itself. This film is all about Schmidt - Warren
Schmidt (Jack Nicholson) to be precise. Warren is retiring from his place of
employment, Woodmen of the World Insurance, after many years. He's not
looking forward to it because he knows he'll no longer have a purpose.
Upon watching a commercial on starving African children he decides to
make a difference in someone's life. He writes a letter to Ndugu who
becomes his confessor. He finally lets it all out about how much he
can't stand the little things his wife does ("sometimes I wake up and
wonder, who is this old woman living in my house") or about how his
daughter is getting married to a waterbed salesman. Really, this is a
comedy.
After his wife dies suddenly, Warren decides to hit the road to arrive
at his daughter Genie's new family early before the wedding. Genie
doesn't want him there too early so he decides to clear his thoughts on
the open road and finally concludes with the family his daughter is
about to become apart of.
Jack Nicholson plays the part of Warren to a tee (he was after all
nominated for an Oscar for this peformance) . Every second of the film
you feel for this guy and the things he has to put up with. All along
you can really connect to him and see yourself in this situation.
Alexander Payne's wonderful satirical sense of humor comes across so
well, even from the opening sequence to Warren stockpiling frozen foods
in a mobile home. This is a unique look at old age and a fun time. It
may sound serious but it's all around smart comedy.
New Line shines again with a great transfer. 'Schmidt' is presented in
anamorphic 1.85:1 widescreen. Anyone who has seen Alexander Payne's
films ('Election') knows that he likes to film things as they are with
no color enhancement. While the film may look visually boring the
transfer is still great. Blacks are solid and the subdued blues show no
color bleeding. My only complaint is that at times compression artifacts
can be noticed on objects in the background and sometimes it's
distracting. All in all this is a great transfer.
You can always count on New Line to include a DTS track (wait a minute
there wasn't one for
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles)
and any other
option you would want. Dolby 2.0, 5.1 and a 5.1 DTS track round it out.
The film is very dialouge based so neither track will push anything to
the limit but it sounds fine.
This is where the DVD loses some momentum. About a year ago New Line
would pack any release to the brim with extras, often making new titles
Platinum Series. Times have changed for some reason and they are now
VERY selective on extras. This film was a decent hit and it's
disappointing to not see an audio commentary or interviews.
Deleted Scenes:
9 total, anamorphic 1.85:1. All are decent, more of
Payne's satire loaded in heaps. Watchable.
Woodmen Tower Sequences:
These are a series of different takes on the
opening sequence. All are boring with the exception of one that is
similar to 'Metropolis'. Non-anamorphic widescreen.
Trailers:
The theatrical trailers for 'About Schmidt', 'I am Sam' ,
and 'Unconditional Love' are presented here, all in anamorphic 1.85:1
widescreen.
About a year ago this DVD would have been packed with extras - even
All About the Benjamins
and 'Life as a House' got better supplements than this. Truly disappointing.
Packaging is amaray showing the film's simple theatrical poster for the
cover. There are 26 chapter stops and menus are animated.
All in all, 'About Schmidt' is an excellent film that is definitely
worth a watch. While it is a great film this could definitely be a rent
as second viewings may not be as enjoyable.
DVDs reviewed by the editor are watched on a Panasonic TXW32R4 32" widescreen TV
connected to either a Creative Dxr2 DVD-ROM player or Microsoft Xbox and
played through a Sony STR-DB930 amplifier.
PC games reviewed by the editor are on:
Since Nov 2005: Intel Pentium D 830 3.0Ghz, 1Gb RAM, 128Mb nVidia GeForce 6700XL, Windows XP
Since Aug 2003: Intel Pentium 4 2.66Ghz, 512Mb RAM, 128Mb GeForce4 MX440 graphics, Windows XP
Since May 2003: Intel Pentium 4 2.6Ghz, 512Mb RAM, 128Mb ATI Radeon 9600TX graphics, Windows XP
Since Jun 2002: Intel Pentium III 600Mhz, 384Mb RAM, Windows 98 SE, 64Mb ATI Radeon 8500LE
Since May 2000: Intel Pentium III 600Mhz, 384Mb RAM, Windows 98 SE, Voodoo 3 3000 AGP
