As Good As It Gets Movie Review 1997

Entertaining and enjoyable outing from Brooks racked up an impressive list of Oscar noms (including Best Picture). Obsessive-compulsive romance novelist Melvin Udall (Nicholson) is also the meanest guy in New York, liked by nobody and hating all. The only exception is single-mother/waitress Carol (Hunt), who puts up with his annoying habits at the local restaurant where he dines. Forced to look after gay neighbor Kinnear's fussy-but-cute dog, Udall falls into an improbable quest for love, friendship, and a life as "normal as it gets" in this sort of extended-sitcom universe. Snappy dialogue by Brooks and co-writer Andrus, and an easy-going non-stereotypical performance by Kinnear are highlights, almost overshadowing both Hunt's Jodie Foster-like portrayal, and Nicholson's typical but delightful role (both of which won Oscars).

Distribution

Sony Pictures Home Video, Sony Pictures Plz., 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232, Phone: (310)244-7306, Fax: (310)280-2485, URL: http://www.spe.sony.com, Remarks: Formerly Columbia Tristar Home Entertainment

Available on VHS, DVD
Running time 130 minutes.

Cast and Crew

Genres

Romantic Comedy, King of Beasts (Dogs), Writers, New York, New York, Waiters & Waitresses, Gays, Top Grossing Films of 1998, Art & Artists, Disease of the Week, Phobias!, Road Trip, Single Parents

Screenplay

Mark Andrus, James L. Brooks

Cast

Jack Nicholson, Helen Hunt, Greg Kinnear, Cuba Gooding, Skeet Ulrich, Shirley Knight, Yeardley Smith, Lupe Ontiveros, Bibi Osterwald, Brian Doyle-Murray, Randall Batinkoff, Shane Black, Missi Pyle, Tara Subkoff, Danielle Brisebois, Harold Ramis, Jimmy Workman

Cinematography

John Bailey

Director

James L. Brooks

Music

Hans Zimmer

Other

Lawrence Kasdan, Todd Solondz, Tom McGowan

Producer

TriStar Pictures

Awards

Oscars 1997: Actor (Nicholson), Actress (Hunt); Golden Globes 1998: Actor--Mus./Comedy (Nicholson), Actress--Mus./Comedy (Hunt), Film--Mus./Comedy; Natl. Bd. of Review 1997: Actor (Nicholson), Support. Actor (Kinnear); Screen Actors Guild 1997: Actor (Nicholson), Actress (Hunt); Writers Guild 1997: Orig. Screenplay; Broadcast Film Critics 1997: Actor (Nicholson).