As Good as It Gets is a movie about a man who hates everyone and a dog that loves him anyway. Jack Nicholson plays Melvin Udall, a misanthropic writer who spends his days in a New York apartment and his nights eating at the same diner. He is cruel to nearly everyone he meets, but he is also terrified of dogs, which makes his life a constant battle with his own fear. The film opens with Melvin walking through a crowded street, muttering to himself about how much he hates the world, and it sets a tone that the rest of the movie will either live up to or betray.
The setup is simple. Melvin has a neighbor, Carol Connelly, played by Helen Mirren, whose son is dying of AIDS. She is a widow, a nurse, and a woman who has lost everything except her sense of duty. One night, she comes home late and accidentally locks herself out of her apartment. Melvin lets her in, and in the process, he gets locked out of his own. This accidental encounter becomes the hinge of the story, because it forces Melvin to spend time with a woman he has previously ignored, and it introduces him to Frank, Carol’s son, played by Greg Kinnear. Frank is a kind man who is slowly losing his health, and his presence forces Melvin to confront his own isolation.
Trailer, via Sony Pictures Entertainment.
Melvin Udall’s Fear
The central conflict of As Good as It Gets is Melvin’s fear of dogs. It is not a rational fear. He is not afraid of being bitten or attacked. He is afraid of the dogs themselves, and he treats them with the same contempt he reserves for humanity. This fear is so severe that he will cross the street to avoid a dog on the sidewalk, and he will refuse to enter a building if there is a dog inside. The fear is the engine of the plot, because it drives his actions and defines his character. Without it, he would be a cranky old man, not a tragic figure.
Nicholson plays Melvin with a performance that is both comic and deeply sad. He is verbally abusive, sarcastic, and often cruel, but he is also vulnerable underneath. His monologues, delivered directly to the camera, are the best parts of the film. In these moments, he speaks about his loneliness, his fear, and his inability to connect with other people. These scenes are intimate and moving, and they make the audience feel sorry for him even as they laugh at him. The performance is a masterclass in control, and it carries the film through its weaker stretches.
Carol Connelly and Her Son
Helen Mirren plays Carol with dignity and warmth. She is a woman who has suffered greatly, but she has not become bitter. She is patient, loving, and completely devoted to her son, even though she knows he will die soon. Her relationship with Melvin is the heart of the film, because it shows how two lonely people can find each other despite their differences. Their scenes together are tender and funny, and they build a bond that feels genuine.
Greg Kinnear plays Frank as a gentle soul who is facing death with grace. His role is smaller, but it is essential, because he is the one who breaks through Melvin’s shell. When Melvin finally visits Frank in the hospital, he sees a man who is dying and realizes that his own fear is trivial by comparison. This moment is the turning point of the film, and it is handled with restraint. The scene is quiet, and it works because the actors are honest.
The Diner and the Dog
The diner is a recurring location in As Good as It Gets, and it functions as a stage for Melvin’s social interactions. He eats there every day, and he has a regular seat at the counter. The staff know him, and they tolerate him, but they also respect him because he is a successful writer. The diner scenes are where Melvin’s cruelty is on full display, and they are also where he begins to soften. He starts to engage with the people around him, and he even helps a young boy who is being bullied. These moments show that Melvin is capable of kindness, even if he does not want to admit it.
The dog, which appears only briefly, is the symbol of Melvin’s fear. He sees it as a threat, and he reacts with panic. The film uses the dog to test Melvin’s progress, and it shows that he can overcome his fear if he tries. The final scene with the dog is a small triumph, and it earns its place in the story.
The Writing and Its Weak Spots
As Good as It Gets was directed by James L. Brooks, and it is adapted from a play by Nicholas Kazan. The writing is sharp, and it has some great lines. The dialogue is clever, and it is delivered with confidence. However, the script has a few flaws:
- Some of the plot points feel contrived.
- The resolution is somewhat rushed.
- The characters have changed, but the story has not given them enough room to grow.
The supporting cast is solid, but they are mostly there to provide color. Catherine Zeta-Jones plays Melvin’s secretary, and she is a competent actress, but her role is thin. The other characters, like Melvin’s friend Carl, played by Max Peretz, are barely developed. They exist to move the plot forward, and they are forgotten once they have served their purpose. This is a problem, because a movie with three main characters should give each of them equal weight.
The Score and Its Reception
As Good as It Gets was released in 1997, and it was a critical and commercial success. It won two Academy Awards, for Best Actor and Best Adapted Screenplay. The film earned a score of 6.7 out of 10, and it remains a popular entry in the romantic comedy genre. The film has aged well, and it is still watched and enjoyed today.
The film is not perfect, but it is effective. It is a movie about loneliness, fear, and connection, and it finds humor in those difficult subjects. The performances are strong, and the direction is confident. It is a film that rewards attention, even when it falls short of greatness.
The Verdict
As Good as It Gets is a good movie, but it is not a great one. It has a strong central performance, a compelling premise, and a satisfying emotional arc. It is also flawed, with a weak supporting cast and a rushed ending. The film is worth watching, but it is not essential viewing. It is a pleasant evening at the movies, not a transformative experience.
The score of 6.7 out of 10 is fair. It reflects the film’s strengths and its weaknesses. It is a solid, enjoyable movie, but it is not a masterpiece. It is a film that you will remember fondly, but you will not revisit it for its technical brilliance.
The film’s themes are timeless. Loneliness, fear, and the desire for connection are universal, and As Good as It Gets captures them with sincerity. It is a movie about how people change, and it shows that change is possible even for someone as stubborn as Melvin Udall. The film is a reminder that we are all capable of growth, even when we resist it.
As Good as It Gets is a good movie, and it deserves its reputation. It is not a great movie, but it is a good one. It is a film that is worth seeing, and it is a film that is worth remembering. It is a movie about love, and it is a movie about fear, and it is a movie about the people we become when we let ourselves be changed. It is a good movie, and it is a good watch.
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