ABOUT SCHMIDT (2002) (***1/2)

The film is being billed as a comedy, but it's not a laugh-a-minute fest. If this is a comedy it might be the saddest, most depressing comedy of all-time.

The film follows the life of Warren Schmidt (Jack Nicholson, AS GOOD AS IT GETS) right after he retires from his assistant VP post at an Omaha insurance firm. He's a 66-year-old man, who doesn't look forward to his retirement and the feeling that he is not needed or not important anymore. He is a cheap man, who plans to travel in a Winnebago with his wife, Helen (June Squibb, MEET JOE BLACK). However, when she suddenly dies, Warren is thrust into a future that he didn't expect.

The film from that point on is his soul-searching journey to find meaning again. There are little things about this film that impress me. I loved the many cause-and-effect moments that happen throughout the film, which bring light to opinions that Warren thought earlier. He judges others, but forgives when he finally is able to turn his gaze back on himself. I liked the brutal honesty of the film, especially how it enlightens us to how people tend to deify their children while they demonize the spouses.

This is key in forming your opinion of Jeannie (Hope Davis, HEARTS IN ATLANTIS), Warren's daughter, and Randall (Dermot Mulroney, YOUNG GUNS), Jeannie's mullet-haired fiancee. The underlying themes of "we reap what we sow" and feeling that our lives have accomplished something are powerfully presented. Now onto the funny stuff.

The letters that Warren writes to his African foster child, Ndugu, are hilarious confessionals. Kathy Bates (MISERY) as Randall's hippie, divorced mother is perfection. She is such a great actress that it's scary. I don't think she's ever given the same performance twice. Finally, there's Jack. At first I couldn't help but seeing Jack Nicholson. His persona got in the way. He looked odd and out of place next to Squibb, a woman of his own age. However, Nicholson proves why he's a legend. After five minutes, Nicholson just became Warren Schmidt to me. He was the insecure, insurance salesman, who a character later describes as a very sad and lonely man. He deserves all the acclaim he's getting. It's a singular performance in a character of playing the same sort of guy over and over again.

If you're looking to laugh until your stomach hurts, this isn't the movie for you. But if you want to be moved and challenged than I highly recommend you check this one out.