About Schmidt

Yesterday, one of the neat parts of our Easter services was the performance of the Ugandan Orphans Choir. In addition to performing, the group offered attendees a chance to "adopt" orphans overseas. This greatly excited my parents.

My mom came to one of the services and quickly found the organization's table. A few minutes later she emerged with a couple of bios and pictures and asked me if I wanted to meet my new "brothers." It was fun, heartwarming and felt like a great way to give back for Easter.

It also reminded me of one of my favorite movies of the last decade, "About Schmidt."

When I was reviewing the Top Ten lists of the decade put out by a number of critics, I saw many mention the comedy "Sideways." While I thought that movie had it's compelling moments, my favorite film of the decade by that writing-directing team was "About Schmidt," which was released in 2002. The film didn't get as much acclaim, but it should have.

The movie stars Jack Nicholson (who was nominated for Best Actor that year) as a crotchety retiree named Walter Schmidt. Walter spent years working at the same firm, enjoying the same routine and feeling settled. He knew what his purpose was each day and he lived it out. When he retired, that sense of purpose disappeared.

Soon, Walter realizes his contributions to his insurance firm are outdated, he has little in common with his wife, and he's estranged from his daughter, who is about to get married to a man he considers to be a doofus. Without ruining the plot for any who might check this film out, I'll just say that Walter feels like a failure as a result of the myriad of events that transpire.

But along the way, Walter sees an add for children in need of assistance and decides to adopt a little boy named Ndugu. It's not enough for Walter to send money, he begins writing letters to Ndugu. Well, they're more like rants about his life.

But just when Walter is feeling at his lowest, like he's failed at everything he's tried, he gets a message from Ndugu, or rather the nun who cares for him. Despite all his flaws and all his failures, curmudgeonly Walter is able to make an impact on a little boy half a world away.

We never know how we can make an impact on people in this world, and we never will if we don't try.