 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
About Schmidt
- Review Date: May 19, 2003
- R
- Genre: Comedy
- 2002
Common Sense Media says
Heartfelt Nicholson, not for kids at all.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that the movie includes very strong language and sexual references and situations, including adultery. Characters drink and smoke. There are tense and sad family scenes that may upset some viewers.
What's the story?
Warren Schmidt (Jack Nicholson) has coped with a life of disappointment and emptiness through rigidity. He is stingy with words, money, and emotion. He does not confide in anyone but viewers and a little boy in Africa he "adopted" by agreeing to send him $22 a month. Schmidt's daughter Jeannie (Hope Davis) is getting married to Randall, a man with a mullet who sells waterbeds (Dermot Mulroney), and this is just one more in a series of disappointments. When Schmidt's wife dies, and then when he finds out that she was keeping a secret from him, he becomes completely unstuck from his moorings. He takes the huge motor home his wife made him buy and sets off in it toward his daughter's house, intent on stopping the wedding.
Is it any good?
Nicholson is mesmerizing in ABOUT SCHMIDT. His character is funny, irritating, pitiable, and utterly heartbreaking. Kathy Bates, as Randall's mother, is magnificent in a performance that is full-bodied (in both senses of the word). The details of middle American ceremonies -- the retirement party, the funeral, the wedding -- are all just right, sharply observed but affectionate.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
Families can talk about why Schmidt confided in a little boy he had never met instead of any of his friends or family. What do you think he will do next? What should he do? What should he have done that would have made him happier?
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Adult
April 9, 2008
AGE
hilarious and touching
Jack Nicholson strikes the right line between humor and pity. His best performance in a long time.
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Kid, 11 years old
April 9, 2008
AGE
A nice dramedy
This movie is a good story but there are some very nasty bits, like bad language. I saw it when I was 7.
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Teen, 13 years old
February 3, 2011
AGE
there isn't even strong language that i recall but this movie is immensely enjoyable, there's brief nudity that doesn't look realistic but that's about it or should i say that's
about Schmidt ha.
What other families should know:
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Kid, 9 years old
April 2, 2010
AGE
About Schmidt
Rated R For Some Language And Brief Nudity
What other families should know:
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Adult
May 26, 2010
AGE
Jack Nicholson is always amazing, can't wait to see this movie!!
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| Studio: | New Line |
| Director: | Alexander Payne |
| Cast: | Hope Davis, Jack Nicholson, Kathy Bates |
| Genre: | Comedy |
| Run time: | 125 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | December 13, 2002 |
| DVD release date: | June 3, 2003 |
| MPAA rating: | R |
| MPAA explanation: | some language and brief nudity. |
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