MovieChat Forums > About Schmidt (2003) Discussion > Something I Could Not Figure Out....

Something I Could Not Figure Out....

posted 14 years ago by wlandolfi-1
9 replies | jump to latest

In the trailer scene where Warren is invited to dinner with the couple (John and Vickie), they are showing Warren pictures of their family. While doing so, John and Vickie ask Warren if he has any pictures of his daughter to which he has no (not even in his wallet) but that he "might have a picture of George Washington." To that, John and Vickie joke and say "or Abraham Lincoln." I have watched ABOUT SCHMIDT many times and have the movie in my collection. However, I could never figure out what Warren meant by that comment. Does that mean he simply has no pictures of Jeannie (his daughter) whatsoever? Or did Warren say that to imply that he and Jeannie were not very close? Or did Warren say that to imply that Jeannie was either old and/or not real attractive although I am sure he would not have thought that although he did say in his first letter to Indugu that he felt "Jeannie was past her prime." If anyone has an answer to my question (or questions), I would appreciate it.

[–] gtrz 14 years ago

My way of looking at it was that he said that to deflect the question with a bit of humor.
Maybe he's not the kind of guy that likes to carry pictures around in his wallet. And by using a bit of levity was able to change the subject and its implications (such as, why don't you have a picture of your daughter?).

I am assuming you get the joke about having a picture of George Washington, right?

Just in case you don't...he means he has a one dollar bill in his wallet (with George's picture on it).

[–] wlandolfi-1 14 years ago

Thanks gtrz. What you are saying makes sense because Warren did not seem like the type of person who would carry pictures in his wallet. As for the George Washington joke, I sort of guessed that it had to do with a dollar bill but also, I wondered if he was making a comment about his daughter's looks.

[–] kamarya89 14 years ago

no i think schmidt is one of those old men who are uncomfortable showing emotions because they don't get as emotional as other people.

so he doesn't have a photo of his daughter because he see no reason to have it. it doesn't mean he doesn't care about his daughter, he just old-fashioned.

[–] wlandolfi-1 14 years ago

That's an interesting observation you, kamarya89, made about Warren Schmidt. I.E. He was the type of man who was uncomfortable showing emotion. I am going to add a spoiler here: Actually, I think what makes the ending of ABOUT SCHMIDT so unique is that throughout the film, Warren was not one to show his emotions. However, when he saw the drawing by Indugu, Warren broke into tears and let out his emotions.

[–] criztu 12 years ago

no i think schmidt is one of those old men who are uncomfortable showing emotions because they don't get as emotional as other people.

so he doesn't have a photo of his daughter because he see no reason to have it. it doesn't mean he doesn't care about his daughter, he just old-fashioned.

I think that scene shows how cut off/estranged from his daughter Warren really is.

In the beginning of the movie, Warren displays significant amount of emotions when he thinks of his daughter (flashback with her as a child, picture with her as a child framed on a desk) yet he doesn't have a picture of her as an adult on him. For me this means that he is attached to the ideal/need of a perfect daughter, but not attached to his real daughter.

[–] kamarya89 12 years ago

good point.

a father who never let go of the ideal of the once perfect daughter. as if his love for her was unconditional once, he knew how to interact with her, he knew he loved her and he wasn't scared to show his emotion towards her. there were no expectation, there was a belief that she can be nothing but great.

oh damn, as i'm writing this i'm realizing how sad the statement "she is past her prime". it's no longer a mean statement if you think about it.

[–] jozielee 13 years ago

Hahaha. Love the feedback. I think they were talking about money . . . Washington is on the $1, Lincoln on the $5.

[–] misty-63 13 years ago

He's got a dollar in his wallet, hence, George Washington. When the other guy says or Abraham Lincoln ($5), he says no probably not or something like that, meaning, he's pretty much broke. I thought it was a very funny line.

[–] 13 years ago

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