Get
ready for yet another picture in which the main character is a role that Jack
Nicholson was born to play. What took me by surprise is the fashion in which Nicholson
plays it. This is one of the strongest performances of the veteran's career.
In
this new picture from Alexander Payne (based on the novel of the same name) Nicholson
plays Warren Schmidt, a man who finds his life in absolute turmoil following his
retirement from an insurance company. This sad, lonely being has a rather cynical
look at the world, but hopefully, a lengthy road trip and a few eye-openers will
offer some light at the end of the tunnel.
Alexander
Payne (Election) is a terrific writer and About Schmidt shows a maturity in the
fairly young director. This movie is incredibly observant, and given that the
story is told through the eyes of a senior citizen, it's all the more impressive.
People will most likely identify with Schmidt. I certainly see shades of him in
my own grandfather. This was, for me, the real appeal of the movie. It's realism.
I'm not just talking characters, but also the situations they find themselves
in. This movie takes honest and courageous risks that deal with human nature.
Certainly I found myself laughing at things that I knew I shouldn't be laughing
at but sometimes, that's all you can do in certain situations.
Payne
also has a tremendous love and loathing for Omaha (the film's main setting). Since
he grew up there, you get the sense that, although he may have hated his home
at times, he ultimately has a great fondness for it and this is evident throughout
the film.
Of course
as strong as Payne's observant direction is, it is the mighty Jack Nicholson who
really makes this film soar. This is, perhaps, the most non Jack Nicholson Jack
Nicholson performance I've ever seen. Yes, our beloved Jack is in there somewhere,
but this isn't the eyebrow arching devil we're accustomed to seeing. This is a
very internal piece of acting. I really marveled at the incredible subtlety of
this turn, right down to the way Warren Schmidt walks. I honestly forgot I was
watching Jack Nicholson. Beautiful work. Kathy Bates turns in a nifty little supporting
performance as well, although I must confess, we see more of her in this picture
than I ever thought we'd see. This is a bold, gutsy performance to say the least.
The
slightly eccentric About Schmidt went directions I wasn't expecting, and the end
of this movie crushed me. It really packed an emotional wallop I wasn't prepared
for. Alexander Payne, Jack Nicholson and crew have sculpted a comedy/drama that
I won't soon forget.
