Roger Ebert wrote for the '' Chicago Sun-Times '' that '' 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 . Another actor might have made the character too tragic or passive or empty , but Nicholson somehow finds within Schmidt a slowly developing hunger , a desire to start living now that the time is almost gone . " Michael Rechtshaffen of '' The Hollywood Reporter '' wrote : " It 's a commanding Jack Nicholson lead performance that puts it into a sublime league of its own . " Paul Clinton of CNN.com wrote : " '' About Schmidt '' is undoubtedly one of the finest films of the year . If you 're not deeply touched by this movie , check your pulse . " At the 75th Academy Awards , both Nicholson and Bates were nominated for their performances as Best Actor in a Leading Role and Best Actress in a Supporting Role . The film found more success at the 60th Golden Globe Awards , winning the awards for Best Screenplay – Motion Picture and Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama . Upon accepting his award , Nicholson stated , " I 'm a little surprised . I thought we made a comedy . " It was also part of the Official Competition Selection at the 2002 Cannes Film Festival
60th Golden Globe Awards
60th Golden Globe Awards
About Schmidt