A recently retired man embarks on a journey to his estranged daughter's wedding, only to discover more about himself and life than he ever expected.A recently retired man embarks on a journey to his estranged daughter's wedding, only to discover more about himself and life than he ever expected.A recently retired man embarks on a journey to his estranged daughter's wedding, only to discover more about himself and life than he ever expected.
- Nominated for 2 Oscars
- 25 wins & 71 nominations total
James M. Connor
- Randall's Best Man
- (as James Micheal Connor)
Marilyn Tipp
- Neighbor Lady
- (scenes deleted)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaWhen Jack Nicholson received the Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Drama, he commented afterward, "I'm a little surprised. I thought we had made a comedy."
- GoofsThe seasons change back and forth, between winter and summer. Sometimes the trees are bare, but in the next scene, they're full again. At the beginning of the movie, the trees are bare and it's gray and cold. Yet, two weeks later he leaves on his trip and it's summer all of a sudden.
- Quotes
Warren Schmidt: Relatively soon, I will die. Maybe in 20 years, maybe tomorrow, it doesn't matter. Once I am dead and everyone who knew me dies too, it will be as though I never existed. What difference has my life made to anyone. None that I can think of. None at all.
- Crazy creditsThe film title appears above the New Line Cinema Release credit as end credits are done.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Siskel & Ebert: The Best Films of 2002 (2003)
- SoundtracksYou Sexy Thing
Written by Errol Brown and Tony Wilson
Performed by Hot Chocolate
Courtesy of EMI Records, Ltd., under license from EMI-Capitol Music Special Markets
Featured review
Enormous emotional impact.
This is the saddest movie I've seen in years, maybe in my entire life. People who say it's comedy are dead wrong. It's a realistic, brutally true example of a failed life, and it's so tragic.
Nicholson plays Warren Schmidt, an insurance salesman, whose life crashes down on him when he retires. Nicholson, someone I've loved ever since I first saw him, gives his best performance since "One flew over the cuckoos nest". He's so subtle, so sad, so hollow. You don't doubt for a second that he is Schmidt. He has let his body age for the role, which makes him even more real.
Alexander Payne's direction is flawless. Everyone, simply everyone, does a great job portraying the various characters, from the hotshot newly educated young man who takes Schmidt's job, to the embarrassing buddy of Schmidt's daughter's fiancé.
This is a must-see movie. Even if you hate Jack in all his other movies, you will love him in this one. Don't expect a "hilarious comedy", though. This is a thoughtful movie and not "Anger Management".
10/10
Nicholson plays Warren Schmidt, an insurance salesman, whose life crashes down on him when he retires. Nicholson, someone I've loved ever since I first saw him, gives his best performance since "One flew over the cuckoos nest". He's so subtle, so sad, so hollow. You don't doubt for a second that he is Schmidt. He has let his body age for the role, which makes him even more real.
Alexander Payne's direction is flawless. Everyone, simply everyone, does a great job portraying the various characters, from the hotshot newly educated young man who takes Schmidt's job, to the embarrassing buddy of Schmidt's daughter's fiancé.
This is a must-see movie. Even if you hate Jack in all his other movies, you will love him in this one. Don't expect a "hilarious comedy", though. This is a thoughtful movie and not "Anger Management".
10/10
helpful•18530
- MrVibrating
- Dec 11, 2005
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Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Las confesiones del Sr. Schmidt
- Filming locations
- Messiah Lutheran Church, 5015 S. 80th Street, Omaha, Nebraska, USA(Church where the wedding takes place)
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $30,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $65,016,287
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $282,367
- Dec 15, 2002
- Gross worldwide
- $105,834,556
- Runtime2 hours 5 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1
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