Faith in Film 2, About Schmidt

This week we continue our look at films that speak to our role as we interact with this world. I think that, in many ways, "About Schmidt" is a companion piece to the message and example offered in "The Blind Side." Only this film is more intentional about it's character searching for purpose in his life.

"About Schmidt" was released in 2002 and stars Jack Nicholson. Though writer/director Alexander Payne drew more praise and attention for "Sideways" (2004), I think "Schmidt" is his best film, and ranked it as one of my favorite films of the last decade. There is a resonant power in the performance of Nicholson — something recognized by the great film critic Roger Ebert. Ebert said of the performance, "'About Schmidt' is essentially a portrait of a man without qualities, baffled by the emotions and needs of others. That Jack Nicholson makes this man so watchable is a tribute not only to his craft, but to his legend: Jack is so unlike Schmidt that his performance generates a certain awe."

What makes it fascinating is the quest Nicholson's character, Warren Schmidt, embarks on during the film. He asks the question, "I know we're all pretty small in the big scheme of things, and I suppose the most you can hope for is to make some kind of difference, but what kind of difference have I made? What in the world is better because of me?"

I think that is something that we all struggle with, at times. Last week we talked about the idea that the Bible instructs us to do something, to model Christ's love in some way that makes a tangible impact on the world. The question is how? That's the same question Schmidt is considering, having arrived at the latter part of his journey and try to reconcile what he's done with his life.

Sometimes the smallest things can have the largest impact. The beauty of this film is that it depicts that principle. Early on, Schmidt sees an infomercial and adopts a child for $22 a month. That small action turns out to be an outlet for him to reflect on his life. And he has plenty of reflection to do.

Schmidt's wife passes away shortly after that and his relationship with his daughter and her fiance is strained. When Schmidt finds out his wife and best friend carried on an affair 25 years earlier, it throws his world into upheaval. It causes him to take begin to reflect on what his life meant.

One of the most cathartic sequences of the film comes when Schmidt is able to let go of his anger and forgive his wife, asking for forgiveness for himself as well. That serves as a freeing moment for Schmidt, as it does for everyone that embraces the concept of forgiveness. Colossians 3:13 says, "Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you."

The other moment of clarity in the film comes when Schmidt realizes that he has made an impact on the world, changing the course of one boy's life for the better. It is a powerful moment because we all long to find the same kind of meaning in our work and ministry during our time in this world.

Colossians 3:23 says, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters." That doesn't mean we shouldn't work hard at our jobs on Earth, it means that masters we serve here aren't the ones we need to be working to please. The work that provides true fulfillment is letting Christ's love shine through us as we serve others.