This movie hits differently at 52 than at 32. 

In 2002, it was a dull Election follow-up; in hindsight, it matches his Nebraska with its suburban inner-sprawl dread. A bleak movie that sends time running short pings to midlife doldrums. Birth, school, work, death-level doom. 

Nicholson gives one of his last great performances, injecting a sneering everyman menace into scenes. Hope Davis at her mousy best, with June Squibb, Dermot Mulroney, Kathy Bates, and Dr. Johnny Fever layering the slow-motion cringe with despair.

Pre-smartphone. Schmidt driving to Rush Limbaugh on AM radio? Quaint.

Need motivation to get going? Watch it.

#100WordReviews #Drabble #FilmReview #AboutSchmidt #AlexanderPayne #aging #100DaysToOffload #movies

All reviews on Larry's 100 are exactly 100 words. Read why →

• Mastodon
• Bluesky
• Instagram
• StoryGraph