About Schmidt-DVD

About Schmidt (2002), Dir. Alexander Payne

Yet another sad, funny, quirky, scathing, soothing film from the director of SIDEWAYS and ELECTION. I must say, with every film of Payne's I see, I like him more and more. And more. I suppose he is the mature version of Zach Braff. He doesn't have to exaggerate reality so you'll 'get it'. He just plays it like it is and if you get it, fine. If not, what planet are you living on? He has an amazing gift for the vernacular in America. He can tell a wealth of emotion in a short scene where they discuss traffic in Denver. What they aren't saying speaks volumes about these characters, and simultaneously reminds us about the things we don't say in our lives. In this way, he makes his worlds spring to life.

When About Schmidt was released, I remember it being billed as a comedy. Well, it was a comedy. Sort of. But where the rest of Hollywood cheats to set up elaborate situations where they can make you laugh, Payne just lets his characters' lives unfold before. Sometimes it's hilarious, sometimes it's sad, and sometimes it's cynical. Regardless of the situation, Payne never pimps out his characters for cheap thrills. What they are going through is genuine and real, no matter what emotion it might evoke from you.

I look forward to more of his non-manipulative work.