As Good as It Gets

Really, how to make something original, fresh and odd out of absolutely nothing except a few characters? Using characters, only characters and nothing except characters. That's the simple formula Brooks uses in all of his work, but, for me, he has never created so much charm, warmth and sensibility as he did in `As good as it gets'.

Characters write the screenplay in this movie, and everything that happens - happens because of what they are. They are nothing special – they are ordinary people we meet in the street every day and that have the same problems a lot of other people have. This movie presents the example of how much you can pull out of that. And if that is written as well as it is in this case, not even a happy ending can bother you. Because, in real life, shown here, what is the end?

Everything is good and warm in this movie, everything is fresh and vivacious, understandable and well performed. Jack Nicholson brings one of the best performances of his career, that terrific Helen Hunt finally got a chance to show how skilfully an actor can connect naturalism with the laws of the camera performance, and Greg Kinnear shows the most convincing emotions coming from a gay character I've ever seen.

The relationships between the characters are created in the way that you can't predict anything that's going to happen, eventhough you know in advance what could come out of their mouth and what kind of attitude they'll have in a certain situation.

You can simply feel the progressive collaboration that occurred between Brooks and the actors and the mutual understanding they developed, and it's not often that you see that kind of artistic superstructure shining on the screen so much as it does here.

I find `As good as it gets' complexed, vital, intelligent, emotionally deep and studied, fresh, original, amusing, cheerful, funny, and one of the best films of 1997.

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.

... which is rather strange since it is one of only seven films to win both Best Actor and Best Actress Oscars for its leads. But it is rather quirky and offbeat with unusual subject matter for a romantic comedy.

Melvin Udall (Jack Nicholson) is a misanthropic and obsessive-compulsive novelist living in New York City. He is abrasive and self absorbed past the point that being OCD could just explain it, or even being misanthropic. He goes out of his way to insult his neighbor, Simon Bishop (Greg Kinnear), a gay artist. And he also throws Simon's dog down the building's garbage chute. I'm a misanthrope, but I don't go around hurling slurs at people or hurting animals.

Among Melvin's compulsions is eating breakfast at a specific diner with a specific waitress, Carol Connely (Helen Hunt). Carol knows how to serve breakfast the specific way that will keep Melvin from having a conniption fit. But Carol's only son has a complicated allergy/asthma situation that her HMO doctors either aren't competent to diagnose or don't have the time to dedicate to solving it, so she's been missing work when her son is ill.

At the same time Simon is looking for subjects to pose for him when he sculpts, and he hires a model who turns out to have violent criminal tendencies and badly injures him.

These events all work to draw these three people together in a most interesting way, and they each wind up helping each other with their problems in unexpected ways.

The film's portrayal of New York City is as vibrant as its characters. The cinematography captures the energy and charm of the city, immersing viewers in its unique atmosphere and acts as a snapshot of New York City as it existed in the late 90s when it was going through a bit of a renaissance.

Special kudos to Cuba Gooding Jr. As Simon's agent who knows how to deal with Melvin by going into scary threatening mode. And also to Simon's dog, who winds up being a catalyst for change in Melvin. The dog should at least have gotten a supporting actor nomination.

I saw AS GOOD AS IT GETS in February 2016 and I liked it. I saw it for a second time in August 2019 and I liked it more. I re-watched it for a third and final time last March and I loved it even more. And since I like a lot Jack Nicholson (and some of my friends think that I look a bit like him in his younger years) I couldn't wait to finally review it here.

Melvin Udall (Nicholson) is a misanthropic and obsessive compulsive novelist that lives alone in his apartment. He is obsessed with having everything clean and in order, gets irritated easily even when his neighbours ring the bell or sees his gay artist neighbour's dog and when he goes to have breakfast in his favourite restaurant he avoids walking close to people in the sidewalks and instead of using the restaurant's cutlery, he bring his own silverware from home because he is afraid of germs. One day his neighbour Simon Bishop (Greg Kinnear) is robbed and nearly killed and while Simon is in hospital, Udall has to take care of his dog and while in the first times he couldn't stand it, he then becomes affectionated to him to the point that when Simon is released Udall has problems in giving back the dog. Melvin's life furtherly challenged when Carol (Helen Hunt), the waitress of his favourite restaurant, decides to work in Brooklyn closer to her home because of her son's health problems and Udall arranges to pay for the medical expenses necessary for Carol's son's condition, but she is a bit skeptical.

Since Simon is facing bankruptcy, Udall offers to accompany him to Baltimore and Carol joins them for lessening the awkwardness. Once in Baltimore, Carol insists to Frank that they have to go to dinner in a restaurant. During the dinner Udall's comments flatter and soon upset Carol, and she leaves. In the hotel room Simon starts to sketch her and this rekindles once again his desire to paint. After returning to New York Carol apologizes to Melvin about the rough things she said to him and in the end, they finally start a relationship (the movie ends with the couple walking together at 6 AM).

Jack Nicholson probably gives his best performance ever (closer to greatness only with the ones from SHINING and ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST) and he nailed the role of the misanthropic and obsessive compulsive writer to the point that only he could have played such a part well. Greg Kinnear, Helen Hunt and Cuba Gooding are all very good and give great support, and the dog was very adorable. And overall, the movie gives this great message: if you have to change for the love of someone, you can do it even with one step at a time, and I experienced it in real life too.

Don't miss it if you have a chance because of the acting and the messages it gives in a subtle manner. Very intelligent and witty.

Jack Nicholson is one of those actors who impresses me the second (and I'm not overstating in the least bit) he appears on screen. The moment I see Jack's face on screen, I get this feeling that everything's going to be all right. He could do a Pauly Shore film, and elevate its quality with his mere presence. And I didn't even get to his acting.

Nicholson won a well-deserved Oscar for this movie. Then again, I feel like he deserves an Oscar for virtually everything he's been in. Hell, you can even give him an Oscar nod for "Anger Management." THAT'S how great he is! He's one of those actors who can communicate even more emotion when he's not saying anything than when he is. And of course, he has one of the coolest movie star voices ever, so it makes it a joy whenever he does speak. I still feel like "You can't handle the truth!" wouldn't be as priceless a line if Jack didn't yell it. He can say almost any line of dialogue and turn it into gold. In this movie it was "You make me wanna be a better man." Again, an otherwise forgettable line of dialogue made gold by Jack.

"As Good As It Gets" is a flawed film, with scenes that drag and an overlong running time, but it's highly enjoyable and altogether pretty well-written. Aside from its many hilarious moments, it's also quite touching. But I have to admit that it's the comedy that sticks out most in my memory. There's some priceless gags like when a Jewish couple is sitting at Jack's usual table. He first intrudes into their conversation saying, "People who speak in metaphors oughtta shampoo my crotch." He complains to Helen Hunt, his usual waitress, saying "I have Jews at my table!" He then intrudes in the couple's conversation again, noticing the food on their table, saying "Obviously your appetites aren't as big as your noses." Now, I probably wouldn't want to personally know a man like Melvin in my real life, but I still found those cracks to be hysterically funny. The same when he attacks Greg Kinnear's gay character with constant homosexual slurs.

The performances are great all-around. Though Jack pretty much steals the show, Greg Kinnear gives a wonderfully endearing performance. He doesn't play out the gay stereotypes, yet he's sensitive and feminine enough to have me convinced that he is gay (unlike Eric McCormack on "Will and Grace" who acts like he's gay for the sake of the show's gimmick). It's nice to see Kinnear rise from the host of "Talk Soup" and the thankless late night talk show "Later" to a fine actor. Previously, I wouldn't have any notion that he could become what he is now. Helen Hunt also gives a compelling, emotionally packed performance. And Shirley Knight, as her mother, provides a little bit of comic relief. Cuba Gooding Jr. has a small but interesting role, and he makes the best of it.

The film does have its dull moments, but Jack's one-of-a-kind performance makes it all worthwhile. There is nobody, and I mean NOBODY, who could've played Melvin better than him. I read in the trivia that John Travolta was originally offered the role. Now, I like Travolta, but in this type of role he wouldn't hold a candle to Jack.

My score: 7 (out of 10)