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As Good as It Gets

  • 19971997
  • PG-13PG-13
  • 2h 19m
IMDb RATING
7.7/10
295K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,969
515
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Jack Nicholson in As Good as It Gets (1997)
Home Video Trailer from Columbia Tristar
Play trailer0:32
1 Video
99+ Photos
  • Comedy
  • Drama
  • Romance
A single mother and waitress, a misanthropic author, and a gay artist form an unlikely friendship after the artist is assaulted in a robbery.A single mother and waitress, a misanthropic author, and a gay artist form an unlikely friendship after the artist is assaulted in a robbery.A single mother and waitress, a misanthropic author, and a gay artist form an unlikely friendship after the artist is assaulted in a robbery.
IMDb RATING
7.7/10
295K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,969
515
  • Director
    • James L. Brooks
  • Writers
    • Mark Andrus(story)
    • James L. Brooks(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Jack Nicholson
    • Helen Hunt
    • Greg Kinnear
Top credits
  • Director
    • James L. Brooks
  • Writers
    • Mark Andrus(story)
    • James L. Brooks(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Jack Nicholson
    • Helen Hunt
    • Greg Kinnear
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 604User reviews
    • 135Critic reviews
    • 67Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Won 2 Oscars
      • 38 wins & 54 nominations total

    Videos1

    As Good As It Gets
    Trailer 0:32
    As Good As It Gets

    Photos108

    Jack Nicholson and Jill the Dog in As Good as It Gets (1997)
    Melvin, Carol & Simon
    Melvin & Verdell
    Jack Nicholson as Melvin
    Simon & Frank
    Greg Kinnear as Simon
    Verdell
    Cuba Gooding Jr. as Frank
    Simon & Verdell
    Melvin, Simon & Verdell
    Helen Hunt as Carol
    Carol & Melvin

    Top cast

    Edit
    Jack Nicholson
    Jack Nicholson
    • Melvin Udallas Melvin Udall
    Helen Hunt
    Helen Hunt
    • Carol Connellyas Carol Connelly
    Greg Kinnear
    Greg Kinnear
    • Simon Bishopas Simon Bishop
    Cuba Gooding Jr.
    Cuba Gooding Jr.
    • Frank Sachsas Frank Sachs
    Skeet Ulrich
    Skeet Ulrich
    • Vincentas Vincent
    Shirley Knight
    Shirley Knight
    • Beverlyas Beverly
    Yeardley Smith
    Yeardley Smith
    • Jackieas Jackie
    Lupe Ontiveros
    Lupe Ontiveros
    • Noraas Nora
    Jill the Dog
    Jill the Dog
    • Verdellas Verdell
    • (as Jill)
    Timer the Dog
    • Supporting Dogas Supporting Dog
    • (as Timer)
    Billy the Dog
    • Supporting Dogas Supporting Dog
    • (as Billy)
    Bibi Osterwald
    Bibi Osterwald
    • Neighbor Womanas Neighbor Woman
    Ross Bleckner
    • Carlas Carl
    Bernadette Balagtas
    Bernadette Balagtas
    • Catereras Caterer
    Jaffe Cohen
    Jaffe Cohen
    • Partygoeras Partygoer
    Laurie Kilpatrick
    Laurie Kilpatrick
    • Partygoeras Partygoer
    Alice Vaughn
    Alice Vaughn
    • Partygoeras Partygoer
    Brian Doyle-Murray
    Brian Doyle-Murray
    • Handymanas Handyman
    • Director
      • James L. Brooks
    • Writers
      • Mark Andrus(story) (screenplay)
      • James L. Brooks(screenplay)
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      In one scene the dog starts mimicking Jack Nicholson by stepping over the cracks in the sidewalk. The filmmakers accomplished this by placing little obstacles on the cracks so that the dog had to step over them. They then removed the obstacles digitally in post-production.
    • Goofs
      When Melvin and Carol walk past the bakery at the end of the movie, the lights come on and the staff in the bakery can be seen working. Before the lights came on, the staff must have been working in pitch black.
    • Quotes

      Melvin Udall: Now, I got a real great compliment for you, and it's true.

      Carol Connelly: I'm so afraid you're about to say something awful.

      Melvin Udall: Don't be pessimistic, it's not your style. Okay. Here I go. Clearly a mistake.

      [shifts in his seat uncomfortably]

      Melvin Udall: I've got this, what, ailment? My doctor, a shrink that I used to go to all the time, he says that in fifty or sixty percent of the cases, a pill really helps. I hate pills. Very dangerous thing, pills. Hate. I'm using the word "hate" here, about pills. Hate. My compliment is, that night when you came over and told me that you would never... all right, well, you were there, you know what you said. Well, my compliment to you is, the next morning, I started taking the pills.

      Carol Connelly: I don't quite get how that's a compliment for me.

      Melvin Udall: You make me want to be a better man.

      [pause]

      Carol Connelly: [stunned] That's maybe the best compliment of my life.

      Melvin Udall: Well, maybe I overshot a little, because I was aiming at just enough to keep you from walking out.

    • Crazy credits
      Just after the disclaimer of the American Humane Association (The animals used in this film were in no way mistreated...) there is a second disclaimer stating "The actors used in this film were in no way mistreated."
    • Connections
      Edited into Doggiewoggiez! Poochiewoochiez! (2012)
    • Soundtracks
      Temple (Sanctuary Mix)
      Written & Performed by Jane Siberry

      Courtesy of Reprise Records

      By Arrangement with Warner Special Products

    User reviews604

    Review
    Top review
    9/10
    It's hard not to leave this film with a smile on your face.
    "You make me want to be a better man."

    I finally got around to watching this touching and funny film directed by James L. Brooks that stands out thanks to some wonderful performances and memorable characters. As Good As it Gets is proof that actions are louder than words because despite how cruel and mean Nicholson's character is, he does incredible and kind things for others. In a way this film reminded me of David O. Russell's Silver Linings Playbook as I found both films to be difficult to follow at first due to the lack of a likable character, but once we get to know who these people are we forgive their flaws and end up routing for them. Both Nicholson and Helen Hunt give excellent performances, and their Oscar wins were well deserved in my opinion. As Good As it Gets is the very definition of charm, and the screenplay written by Mark Andrus (Life As a House) shines thanks to some incredible performances. I really enjoyed this film and found myself laughing through most of the scenes. This is one more film I can eliminate from my shame list, and I'm glad I finally got to experience this romantic comedy which also has a lot to say about overcoming illness.

    We are introduced to Melvin Udall (Jack Nicholson), a cranky but successful author who suffers from OCD. He lives on his own in a beautiful apartment where he spends most of his time writing. He always goes out on his daily breakfast ritual which consists of walking to a nearby cafe without touching anyone or stepping on any cracks. He always sits in the same place at the cafe and always demands to be served by the same waitress, whose name is Carol (Helen Hunt). Carol is actually the only one in the cafe who stands his constant outbursts and cruel comments. Melvin's daily routine changes through two events that end up affecting his life. First, his homosexual artist neighbor named Simon (Greg Kinnear) suffers an accident and Melvin unwillingly accepts to take care of his dog in his absence. Second, Carol's son, Spencer (Jesse James) gets ill and she quits her job. Not accepting the fact that Carol isn't there to serve him, Melvin tries to find her in order to restore order back to his life. These series of events force Melvin to change his routine and at the same time he forms an unlikely friendship with Carol and Simon proving that he isn't as bad as he seems to be.

    The performances by each one of the talented actors are the heart and motor of this film. Jack Nicholson and Helen Hunt share an incredible chemistry together. It's funny how despite never being able to share his feelings towards her and always saying the wrong things, it becomes clear that she does inspire him to become a better person. The supporting cast is also incredible here, especially Greg Kinnear and Cuba Gooding Jr. who deliver several funny scenes. I was partial to Brooks's work considering I had only seen How Do You Know which didn't work for me and Spanglish which I did enjoy, but As Good As it Gets is without a doubt his best work thanks to an unbelievable cast. This is a smart and funny film, which also could be cruel at times, but it was well balanced. Despite the schmaltzy story it still worked thanks to the characters that carried this film. It's hard not to leave this film with a smile on your face.
    helpful•23
    3
    • estebangonzalez10
    • Mar 7, 2014

    FAQ5

    • What is that song Vincent plays in Simon's studio?
    • What is the song Melvin plays in his car marked 'To Use As Icebreaker'?
    • What Breed of Dog is Verdell?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 25, 1997 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Old Friends
    • Filming locations
      • Khoury's Restaurant - 110 N. Marina Drive, Long Beach, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • TriStar Pictures
      • Gracie Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $50,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $148,478,011
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $12,606,928
      • Dec 28, 1997
    • Gross worldwide
      • $314,178,011
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 19 minutes
    • Sound mix
      • SDDS
      • Dolby
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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