Wednesday 20 June 2018

About Schmidt (2002 Alexander Payne & co-scr)

..with Jim Taylor, based on a novel by Louis Begley, who (according to Wikipedia) 'is best known for writing the semi-autobiographical Holocaust novel Wartime Lies (1991), and the Schmidt trilogy: About Schmidt (1996), Schmidt Delivered (2000) and Schmidt Steps Back (2012)'.

It's a well observed, quiet film, Nicholson's performance very restrained. The character seems always to do the opposite of what he's saying, makes all sorts of mistakes and is self-delusional until the end, where he gets some sense (and demonstrates some feeling).


Good music from Rolfe Kent, with a touch of Satie for good measure. Kevin Tent edited, James Glennon shot it in a melancholy palette. Funniest moment: horrible figurines slowly falling off the top of his godalmighty big motorhome.

Rest of cast: Hope Davis, Kathy Bates, Dermot Mulroney, June Squibb, Howard Hesseman.

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