"About Schmidt", and Subsequent Observations...



Jack Nicholson Plays Schmidt

I had the chance today to once again view the Jack Nicholson movie from 2002, "About Schmidt".  Funny, you know, how one can see a movie a second time years after seeing it the first time and come away with different observations and feelings from the original viewing.

Of Course, Kathy Bates Steals Whatever Scenes She Appears In...

This film explores some pretty powerful themes of life---especially of later life and what is important.

At the end of the story, Schmidt (Nicholson) muses to himself:

Relatively soon, I will die.  Maybe in 20 years, maybe tomorrow, it doesn't matter.  Once I am dead and everyone who knew me dies too, it will be as though I never existed.  What difference has my life made to anyone?  None that I can think of....none at all.

And this:

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?

Now, before you go to thinkin' that this movie is a downer, let me say that it is not.  But I did find it, upon a second viewing 10 years later, to be very thought-provoking. 

And, the more I thought about it, the more I once again started to see the answers to Schmidt's questions.  The answers lie in God and our true purpose here on earth.

I was reminded of Solomon as he wrote Ecclesiastes.  King Solomon had it all---wealth and power and adulation beyond measure.  But, in the end, Solomon realized that none of it mattered---only living for God and glorifying Him was important.