As Good As It Gets

The main character in this 1997 movie is Melvin Udall, played by the extraordinary actor Jack Nicholson. Melvin is a very successful writer of romantic literature. But he also has some serious mental problems, being diagnosed with the obsessive-compulsive disorder. Because of this illness, he is obsessed with having lunch at the very same table in the very same restaurant every single day. This is not very pleasant for Carol, a waitress amazingly impersonated by Helen Hunt.

He writes his books at home. He cannot help making unpleasant remarks to his gay neighbor Simon. Simon is a painter who has a cute little dog named Verdell, which Melvin also hates. The gay neighbor is played by Greg Kinnear. His performance is very credible and also entertaining.

The conflict of the movie is when Simon gets heavily beaten and robbed in his own flat. He remains alive, yet penniless. He thus has to face both losing his housekeeper and his apartment also. His art-dealer, Frank, played by the charismatic Cuba Gooding Jr., violently urges Melvin to look after Verdell, which Melvin will soon grow to like and even miss after the dog’s return to his owner.

One day, when Melvin goes to the same restaurant to have his daily breakfast, he is shocked to find out his favorite waitress, Carol, is not there. Thus he finds out about Carol’s son Spencer and his medical problems, his asthma attacks. In order to get Carol back to work to wait on him, Melvin manages to arrange for a doctor to look after Spencer. Carol is astounded by this unexpected "gift", which she is at first very afraid to accept.

The action further develops, with delicious dialogues and spiced up by the two main actors' incredible performance. Like most Hollywood movies, it naturally has a happy-end: Melvin and Carol end up together. At any rate, it was considered more than the best romantic comedy of 1997. Many saw it as one of the best all times’ movies. Emotional, touching moments are perfectly combined with cynical remarks, coming especially from the part of the malicious Melvin.

"As Good As It Gets" is yet something more than just a romantic comedy. In spite of the many emotional scenes the movie abounds in, there are also plenty of harsh elements, rough dialogues and situations that are not typical of such a genre. Nicholson has a special look in his eyes that expresses tremendous loneliness, fear, anger and frustration. And also a good amount of kindness.

The authors of the script, Brooks and Mark Andrus, seem to have done a wonderful job. Melvin is at the same time extremely rude and incredibly funny. His major quality is that of speaking out loud what other people only dare to think. And his behavior is explained by his mental illness. This illness becomes central to the whole idea of the movie. Instead of simply taking the fun out of Melvin’s state of mind, the movie presents this "ailment" in a fair and true manner. It all seems to be a mechanism of defense against the outside world. And when he falls in love with Carol, this doesn’t act as a miraculous cure, but still gives him a sound reason to start taking his medication and to want to be a better man.

Yet not only Nicholson shines in his movie. Helen Hunt, Greg Kinnear and Cuba Gooding Jr. also play excellent parts. Although she is not a classical beauty, Helen Hunt possesses that kind of attractiveness and glow that comes from within. Kinnear’s character also develops from the stereotypical gay painter to the man worthy of sympathy and respect from the part of the viewers. And Gooding, in spite of his short time on the screen, still gives a special charm to the whole picture.
The script which is directed towards characters is very brilliant. The plot may seem a bit thin, but the action is fast, so there aren’t very many plain moments. Another thing is, unlike most romantic comedies’ development, it doesn’t solve all conflicts and bad situations in the last half hour.

And let’s not forget the many Oscar nominations the film has received, especially the awards won by Nicholson and Hunt.