As Good as It Gets (1997)
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A misanthropic novelist with OCD finds his rigid world challenged by a neighbor's crisis and a local waitress's kindness.
The story
Misanthropic NYC best-selling romance novelist Melvin Udall suffers from obsessive-compulsive disorder, leading him to maintain a rigid, isolated life. His routine is disrupted when his neighbor, a gay artist named Simon Bishop, is hospitalized after a robbery. Melvin is tasked with caring for Simon's dog, an experience that leads to an unexpected emotional connection. When Melvin's favorite waitress, Carol Connelly, faces financial hardship due to her son's medical needs, Melvin offers a generous but complicated deal to keep her at his regular restaurant. The situation forces Melvin to confront his prejudices and navigate a complex dynamic with both his neighbor and the woman he secretly admires.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
Melvin Udall, a wealthy but abrasive novelist with OCD, lives a highly controlled life in New York City. When his neighbor Simon Bishop is hospitalized, Melvin is forced to care for Simon's dog, Verdell. This task leads to a burgeoning friendship between the two men. Simultaneously, Melvin attempts to secure the continued employment of his favorite waitress, Carol Connelly, by offering to pay for her son's medical expenses. The three characters embark on a road trip to Baltimore to help Simon settle his debts with his estranged parents. During the trip, Melvin's abrasive exterior begins to soften as he interacts with Carol and Simon. After a series of misunderstandings and moments of growth, Melvin eventually confesses his love to Carol. The film concludes with the two of them beginning a relationship, with Melvin finally finding a sense of peace and acceptance in his daily routine.
- First release year
- 1997
- Runtime (minutes)
- 138
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- James L. Brooks
- Writers
- Mark Andrus · screenplay; James L. Brooks · screenplay; Mark Andrus · story
- Cast and characters
- Jack Nicholson · Melvin Udall; Helen Hunt · Carol Connelly; Greg Kinnear · Simon Bishop; Cuba Gooding Jr.; Skeet Ulrich; Shirley Knight
- Genres
- romantic comedy
- Themes
- obsessive-compulsive disorder; overcoming prejudice; human connection
- Tone and mood
- romantic; comedic
- Setting
- New York City and Baltimore in the late 1990s.
- Premise and plot tags
- romance; comedy; drama
- Reception
- A critical and box office hit, the film was praised for its performances and script, though some critics found it overly sentimental.
- Reported review scores
- Rotten Tomatoes · score: 86% · scale: percentage · review count: 84; Metacritic · score: 67 · scale: 100 · review count: 30
- Awards and nominations
- Best Actor · Academy Awards · win; Best Actress · Academy Awards · win; Best Picture · Academy Awards · nomination
- Production trivia
- Jack Nicholson and James L. Brooks clashed on set regarding the character's tone.; The film's paintings were created by New York City artist Billy Sullivan.; The film was a box office hit, becoming Jack Nicholson's second-highest-earning film.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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