About Schmidt is all about Nicholson. But Nicholson like you've never seen before. I could spot an eyebrow arch a couple of times, but that was it. None of the over the top aggression and mannerisms that one has come to associate with Nicholson over the years. A brilliant performance, mainly because he wasn't playing himself after a long while.

The movie is directed by Alexander Payne, he of Election and Sideways fame. The guy is good, worth tracking.