Hey folks, Harry here with a slightly contrary review of a film being lauded as one of the great films of CANNES 2002... ABOUT SCHMIDT. So without further ado, here's NoZeanderthal...
K. I think I need to set this one up before i get into my review. The night before, I had been at a party all night, ending in much pain in my head. Thsi was followed by a long day of work that was less than stimulating. Finally, add to this all of the hype the film had gotten during the day for being incredibly emotional and maybe.... i think I understand why I did not really like About Schmidt.
The good first. Nicholson is great. His body language is so toned down in this film its amazing. The only problem for me was his voice. Visually, he trully becomes his downtrodden character, but the voice. Well the voice will always be the cocky man with the sunglasses.
Kathy Bates. ALso very good in this film. But she usually is. And there is a scene with her later in the film that will quite frnakly surprise many people. HInt...nakedness.....ugh.....
Cinematography. Great. Really grasps the sadness and grayness of Omaha and Schmidts life.
Now...the not so good (in my opinion). The storyline. Old man put out to pasture feels life is over because all he has ever done is work. His daughter is getting married to someone he doesnt like and he feels he needs to live one last time before he dies. This just sounds so... well... been there done that. If it wasnt for Nicholson, the movie just wouldnt matter. Its his expert performance that carries this oh so unoriginal idea.
the final scene, which I wont spoil, was obviously meant to invoke great emotion in the audience, and Jack himself brings amazing presence and feeling to the scene. However, it just wasnt there for me. I got the feeling that every single frame was milked for the maximum amount of emotion and tears they could get from the audience.
Meanwhile, the humor is great in this film. It is funny funny funny. But then again. Its not a comedy. But when the jokes are there, they are great.
Now let me add that I am one of few. Most people here loved this film and were quite moved by it. Im not saying its bad. I jsut felt zero for it. Go see it, because apparently there is something Im missing. Hell, ill probably see it again just to make sure I really didnt like it. But thats all for now. Coming soon, The Pianist (god willing), Tongan Ninja (a kungfu romantic comedy musical), and Once Upon a Time in the Midlands (Robert Carlyle's new flick).
I am NoZeanderthal, and I'm out.
