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About Schmidt

About Schmidt

Date: Apr 30 2003

Intro

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Jack Nicholson is one of America’s most famous and most talented actors. He’s been nominated for the most important award in Hollywood a record 12 times. His 12th Oscar[/def] nomination came for his portrayal of Warren Schmidt in the movie About Schmidt. Jack won the Best Actor award twice, for As Good As It Gets in 1997 and One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest in 1975.
Miguel likes Jack Nicholson and is interested in seeing About Schmidt, but he’s not sure what to think about it. He recently asked Josh for an opinion about the movie. Listen in to their conversation to learn more about the film.

Dialog

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2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.

Miguel

Miguel

Josh

Josh

Miguel:  Hey Josh, have you seen About Schmidt?

Josh:  Yeah, uh, I saw it, I saw it a couple of months ago, but it was a, it was an Oscar contender wasn’t it?

Miguel:  I, I don’t know… I think Nicholson, maybe was nominated, but I’ve heard, like, sorta mixed reviews about it, but I’m thinking about going to see it. You think I should?

Josh:  Well I really loved it. I mean, it’s kind of an understated movie. The, the people in it and the story are all really normal, but, but the movie is really extraordinary.

Miguel:  What, what is it about?

Josh:  Well, it’s just about, well Jack Nicholson is the main character and he… his wife dies and he’s kind of alone. His, his daughter lives far away. And, he just gets in his car and drives across the country to see her unannounced, and it’s, it’s sorta about that trip, but also his own personal trip, like what’s happening to him as a person.

Miguel:  So are… is he like a really weird character, or what’s his story?

Josh:  He’s not really weird. He’s… You can relate to him. He’s kind of a normal guy, um, but he is pretty intense as Jack Nicholson tends to be.

Miguel:  So would you categorize it as a comedy, or a drama, or what kind of movie is it?

Josh:  Well, I think it’s a drama because, you know, when I come away from a comedy I’m just in a happy mood and I thought it was fun, and this movie just made me feel really reflective about my own life. So, definitely in the drama category.

 

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Discussion

About Schmidt was a great movie! I saw it last weekend and I loved it. I talked to Miguel, and he loved it too. So, I guess that means you should see it!
Jack Nicholson does an amazing job in About Schmidt. He didn’t win the Oscar, but he should have. Warren Schmidt is an interesting character, because he’s actually a very normal person, but Jack gives him a lot of depth. You can see so much in his facial expressions and in the way he speaks. It’s actually kind of hard to describe what makes the performance so special, but believe me, it is very special!
The other characters in About Schmidt are great too. Dermot Mulroney is especially hilarious. I was laughing every time he came on screen.
See you at the movies!
Anna

 

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