3 1/2 stars

“About Schmidt” is about everything and nothing. And it’s not the laugh riot that the trailers might deceive you into thinking. It’s a character study that’s a showcase for Jack Nicholson as he plays a man coming to terms with the approaching end of his life.
Nicholson is Warren Schmidt, a just-retired vice president for an insurance company in Nebraska. Warren, who leads a humdrum existence with little excitement, isn’t particularly happy. His daughter Jeannie (Hope Davis) is about to marry a man who doesn’t seem worthy of her (Dermot Mulroney). In the meantime Warren’s wife, Helen (June Squibb) is driving him nuts with her constant interruptions, her collections and her snoring.
Warren wanders aimlessly through the days after his retirement. A commercial inspires him to “adopt” a child in a foreign country, and as he writes detailed, personal letters to this 6-year-old stranger, we hear Warren’s innermost thoughts. When unexpected tragedy strikes, Warren becomes even more lost and bewildered until one day when he realizes that he has a mission: He must drive to the home of his daughter and tell her not to marry this buffoon.
In a sort of road trip, Warren begins to fumble his way through a life that seems pointless after his retirement. This is the story of an ordinary human being and his quest for meaning.
It’s also a different look at Nicholson, who simply shines here. It’s Nicholson in a different light...he’s married to a woman his own age, and he acts his own age. His subdued, befuddled character may be the finest performance from Nicholson since “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.” He’s superb, and it would be no surprise if he received a Best Actor nomination from the Academy in a few weeks.
In addition to Nicholson’s flawless performance, Kathy Bates also is terrific as the earth-mother mom of Jeannie’s fiance. She adds a comic touch to every scene in which she appears, even going so far as to doff her clothing in a hot-tub sequence.
Action lovers will need to seek their entertainment on neighboring screens. This is a slower paced, but never dull, slice of life film that will have you chuckling and reflecting simultaneously.
Running time: Two hours.
Rated: R for foul language, sexual references and nudity.
Stars: Jack Nicholson, Hope Davis, Dermot Mulroney, June Squibb, Kathy Bates and Howard Hessman.
Director: Alexander Payne.
Screenplay: Alexander Payne and Jim Taylor, based on Louis Begley’s book.