Schmidt is such a great journey, in three distinct acts (home, the road, the wedding), full to the brim of humor, real comedy, but a real feeling for people,the midwest, the sense of a lifetime portrayed in one key era. All performances are underrated, expecially the brilliant one by Hope Davis, who does some of her best, fullest work. I know Bates has the showier part, but Davis has an extraordinary arc, which she fills in. You understand everything about this girl, why she resents the dad, still wants his attention, acts out by choosing the Mulroney character (another stunning turn).
Favorite scenes: the dinner table with the lazy susan. Priceless. And the Harry Groener character who says "permission to come aboard!" to Jack in the trailer park. Groener's goofball character is another bold original, out there but not a caricature.
"I'm a comedian, but in my spare time, things bother me." Garry Shandling
