As Good as It Gets

Name: As Good as It Gets
Genre: Drama, Comedy, Romance
Released: December 23, 1997
Duration: 139 min
Rating: 67
Cast: Greg Kinnear, Helen Hunt, Jack Nicholson

1997

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 30 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 299 Ratings

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8.4	User Score Universal acclaim based on 299 Ratings

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As Good As It Gets

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Movie Details & Credits

Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) | Release Date: December 23, 1997 | R

Starring: Greg Kinnear, Helen Hunt, Jack Nicholson

Summary: An unusual friendship develops between three people in New York City: a single mother working as a waitress (Hunt), a writer with obsessive-compulsive disorder (Nicholson), and his neighbor, a gay artist (Kinnear).

Director: James L. Brooks

Genre(s): Drama, Comedy, Romance

Rating: R

Runtime: 139 min

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Critic Reviews

100

Ann Hornaday

Smart, funny and often viciously cruel, this is a romantic comedy for people who are too old to believe in fairyales but wise enough to accept a happy ending when that's what life gives them.

Jonathan Rosenbaum

What Brooks manages to do with them as they struggle mightily to connect with one another is funny, painful, beautiful, and basically truthful--a triumph for everyone involved. Read full review

Mike Clark

It's a case of actors and strong writing coming together, and it's uncommon in contemporary movies. Read full review

Film.com John Hartl

Even as you question the central premise, Brooks makes you want to buy into it.

Lisa Schwarzbaum

A cute premise that, upon closer inspection, rings falser rather than truer. It's pretty good, but not nearly as good as Brooks gets. Read full review

David Ansen

As Good as It Gets works: by the end you'll no doubt be won over by its cranky hero. But for those of us who cherish the quirkily unformulaic Brooks of old, it's a tainted victory. Read full review

Dallas Observer Michael Sragow

Experiencing this movie is a little like watching a manic-depressive's medication wear off. Read full review

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User Reviews

lightwv

Oct 25, 2014

Ok, this movie is simply a masterpiece all the way around! The writing, the acting, the risk-taking. It does an incredible job of presenting the character complexity of three 'broken' people which start to be healed by each other through, well friendship / love. The thing that is so cool isOk, this movie is simply a masterpiece all the way around! The writing, the acting, the risk-taking. It does an incredible job of presenting the character complexity of three 'broken' people which start to be healed by each other through, well friendship / love. The thing that is so cool is there are no actual 'one-liners' per say. The comedy is about the irony of the characters and the situation of the scene itself. For instance, Melvin Udall has no clue how to deal with normal social situations, causing rage reactions from everything that comes out of his mouth, yet he's a successful 'romance novelist' that understands the heart and head of woman — subtle but super hilarious! A must see.… Expand

3 of 4 users found this helpful31

Panchogul

Jul 30, 2020

Un hermoso y maravilloso clásico de los años 90 en donde tenemos actuaciones de proporciones bestiales con Helen Hunt y Jack Nicholson a la cabeza, las cuales fueron aclamadas y premiadas en todas las premiaciones importantes a los mejores actores principales, la historia es muy amigable yUn hermoso y maravilloso clásico de los años 90 en donde tenemos actuaciones de proporciones bestiales con Helen Hunt y Jack Nicholson a la cabeza, las cuales fueron aclamadas y premiadas en todas las premiaciones importantes a los mejores actores principales, la historia es muy amigable y está repleta de carisma y situaciones que pueden hacerte reír, asombrarte y conmoverte profundamente al mismo tiempo, definitivamente esta película tiene mucho corazón dentro de sí misma.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

FilipeNeto

Feb 12, 2022

In this film, we follow the adventures of the life of Melvin Udall, an established novelist who, despite his fame and public recognition, suffers from an obsessive disorder, combined with a profound misanthropy. That is, he is virtually a hermit, who lives confined at home and has fits ofIn this film, we follow the adventures of the life of Melvin Udall, an established novelist who, despite his fame and public recognition, suffers from an obsessive disorder, combined with a profound misanthropy. That is, he is virtually a hermit, who lives confined at home and has fits of rage if forced to escape his routine or socialize with the people around him. The most regular victims of Udall's caustic and rude temper are his gay neighbor Simon, his dog Verdel, and Carol, the waitress who serves him coffee every day, always at the same table, and which he eats. using plastic cutlery that you bring with you. Everything changes with the robbery of Simon's house: confined to a bed, wounded and broke, Simon becomes partially dependent on Melvin, who will gradually learn to do acts of kindness and generosity towards the people he has hurt.

The cast is led by Jack Nicholson and Helen Hunt, two proven actors, who here manage to give us two excellent performances. Personally, I thought Hunt was too young to be a love interest for Nicholson, but the fact is that they both seem to be totally at ease with the characters and also with each other. Greg Kinnerar gives us an equally mature and consistent work, in which he is assisted by Cuba Gooding Jr. And a final word for the excellent dog used in the film.

Technically, it's a standard film, within most Hollywood works. It has good cinematography and editing, with good colors and a very safe pace. The scenarios used are very good, with a natural highlight for Melvin's apartment. The soundtrack fulfills its role well and there is a lot of situational comedy to make the most serious audience laugh.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

VaiKelly

Mar 24, 2011

The first thing I asked myself after I saw this movie was - how good can Jack Nicholson, Helen Hunt, Greg Kinnear, and Cuba Gooding be? Can they be any better? Director James L Brook's speciality is exploring the human psyche, emotions and portrayals of these many emotions and parts.The first thing I asked myself after I saw this movie was - how good can Jack Nicholson, Helen Hunt, Greg Kinnear, and Cuba Gooding be? Can they be any better? Director James L Brook's speciality is exploring the human psyche, emotions and portrayals of these many emotions and parts. Nicholson's Melvin Udall is an obsessive-compulsive disorder, frantic and unstable-yet-stable in his ways in life. I liked how Hunt gave life to her Carol Conelly's single mom-waitress act. I was a tad disappointed at the way how Carol's new boyfriend starts to make out - it just didn't fit with the Carol I saw, the Carol who's working many shifts to ensure that she has the money to afford her little boy's asthma treatment, as well as making sure she can also afford the day-to-day finance of her house, where her mom also lives in. I enjoyed Kinnear's 'Simon the **** portrayal, his subtle movements, his manner of speech and delivery, and his physical presence. Cuba Gooding has a very few scenes in the movie, but is no less memorable. I somehow felt that the second half was a little dull compared to the first, but maybe that's because the early fun of seeing Melvin Udall's 'disgrace of a human being' starts to mellow out, and the actual evolution of the movie's plot begins to grow. The screenplay was just strong enough for the material and characters at hand. Obviously, one cannot take one's eyes off Nicholson whenever he's on the screen, whether explaining in such clever sarcasm to Greg about why he works alone at night, or handling Greg's maid, or even when Carol confronts him with the 'you crazy ....' after he tells her quite insensitively that 'we all die, and from what I hear, your son will too'. It's hilarious and its hurtful, but that's the best part - Melvin Udall is a single man, and it's because of a reason - he's just impossible to get along with. It's not for a lack of trying, it's just that he has never met anyone who could show him the mirror and pick out the flaws in his face. Enter Carol, let the movie take its course, and you'll see just how one can change when one is receptive to one's environment. "You make me wanna be a better man" isn't just your standard movie cliched lines, it actually is resonant of Melvin's feelings towards Carol, and it is deeply moving how their relationship evolves and grows. Melvin's attachment to Simon's dog over time is moving and natural. Melvin feels something inside and he is grateful that he has a visitor in his house, and it is disturbingly pleasant. I've seen this movie time and again, because it is Nicholson and Hunt at their very best, and Brooks' direction at its most truthful and honest core.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

drlowdon

Dec 27, 2020

Obsessive-compulsive romance novelist Melvin, largely keeps to himself aside from waitress Carol who he pesters every morning whilst eating breakfast at café. Through circumstances beyond his control he also becomes acquainted with his gay neighbour Simon, and the three end up seeing a lotObsessive-compulsive romance novelist Melvin, largely keeps to himself aside from waitress Carol who he pesters every morning whilst eating breakfast at café. Through circumstances beyond his control he also becomes acquainted with his gay neighbour Simon, and the three end up seeing a lot more of each other than they planned. As Good as it Gets is an almost understated movie for the most part, but it’s sharp, humorous script and excellent performances from each of the three main leads ensures it is really good watch.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

jazzy_jeff

Feb 28, 2018

Gets pretty sentimental, but movies like this are necessary to remind you that everyone has a good and bad side. As Good as it Gets is a movie about people, and the cast is great about portraying them. One of the better "feel good" movies out there.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

MovieGuys

Sep 15, 2013

Though it won some Oscars, I hate this movie. Jack Nicholson is painful to watch, and Helen Hunt is only okay. Watching it feels like a medication wearing off.

0 of 7 users found this helpful07

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50	#50 Best Movie of 1997
23	#23 Most Discussed Movie of 1997
11	#11 Most Shared Movie of 1997