As Good as It Gets (1997)

A single mother and waitress, a misanthropic author, and a gay artist form an unlikely friendship after the artist is assaulted in a robbery.

Director:

James L. Brooks

Writers:

Mark Andrus (story), Mark Andrus (screenplay)

Stars:

Jack Nicholson, Helen Hunt, Greg Kinnear

Won 2 Oscars. Another 36 wins & 54 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jack Nicholson	...	Melvin Udall
Helen Hunt	...	Carol Connelly
Greg Kinnear	...	Simon Bishop
Cuba Gooding Jr.	...	Frank Sachs
Skeet Ulrich	...	Vincent
Shirley Knight	...	Beverly
Yeardley Smith	...	Jackie
Lupe Ontiveros	...	Nora
Jill the Dog	...	Verdell (as Jill)
Timer the Dog	...	Supporting Dog (as Timer)
Billy the Dog	...	Supporting Dog (as Billy)
Bibi Osterwald	...	Neighbor Woman
Ross Bleckner	...	Carl
Bernadette Balagtas	...	Caterer
Jaffe Cohen	...	Partygoer

Storyline

New York City. Melvin Udall, a cranky, bigoted, obsessive-compulsive writer, finds his life turned upside down when neighboring gay artist Simon is hospitalized and his dog is entrusted to Melvin. In addition, Carol, the only waitress who will tolerate him, must leave work to care for her sick son, making it impossible for Melvin to eat breakfast.

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Plot Keywords:

obsessive compulsive disorder | unlikely friendship | friendship | writer | neighbor | 

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Taglines:

A comedy from the heart that goes for the throat.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 on appeal for strong language, thematic elements, nudity and a beating

Did You Know?

Trivia

Features Yeardley Smith and James L. Brooks, who both work on The Simpsons (1989); and Maya Rudolph's first speaking feature film role.

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Goofs

When Carol is waving goodbye to her son, there is a reflection of camera equipment clearly visible in the window.

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Quotes

Melvin Udall: Just what the world needs, another actress.

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Crazy Credits

In cast credits dogs are credited as: Verdell - Jill Supporting dogs - Timer, Billy

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Connections

Referenced in The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Episode #19.103 (2011)

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Soundtracks

You'll Always Be My Shining Star
(uncredited)
Written by Jack Nicholson
Produced by Hans Zimmer
Performed by Jack Nicholson, Helen Hunt, Cuba Gooding Jr., Yeardley Smith, and Greg Kinnear

User Reviews

Simply great

As Good As It Gets is one of those incredibly moving films that is also hugely entertaining. It's not just a comedy, you can't quite label it a drama piece, it just is what it is; simply great.

What works here so well are the actors and the script. Nicholson and Hunt both won Oscars and they're simply great but Kinnear is no less effective as Nicholson gay neighbour. Plus that dog is amazing as well. This film really relies on great performances and there's no shortage of that here.

As Good As It Gets is also remarkably well written. So well defined characters and completely involving, you quite simply grow to love them and sympathize with their plight. Nicholson's remarks are terrific, each one very quotable (personal fav; I think of a man and I take away reason and accountability).

Direction is first rate, Brooks made Terms of Endearment so it's well established that he's quite capable of making great films. As Good As It Gets is very nearly as good it gets.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 December 1997 (USA)

Also Known As:

Old Friends

Filming Locations:

West 10th Street, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$50,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$12,606,928, 28 December 1997

Gross USA:

$148,478,011

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$314,178,011

Company Credits

Production Co:

TriStar Pictures, Gracie Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

139 min

Sound Mix:

SDDS Dolby

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1