AS GOOD AS IT GETS (DVD/WS 1.85/ENG-SUB/SPAN-BOTH/For all of its conventional plotting about an obsessive-compulsive curmudgeon (Jack Nicholson) who improves his personality at the urging of his gay neighbor (Greg Kinnear) and a waitress (Helen Hunt) who inspires his best behavior, this is one of the sharpest Hollywood comedies of the 1990s. Nicholson could play his role in his sleep (the Oscar he won should have gone to Robert Duvall for The Apostle), but his mischievous persona is precisely necessary to give heart to his seemingly heartless character, who is of all things a successful romance novelist. As a single mom with a chronically asthmatic young son, Hunt gives the film its conscience and integrity (along with plenty of wry humor), and she also won an Oscar for her wonderful performance. Greg Kinnear had to settle for an Oscar nomination (while cowriter-director James L. Brooks was inexplicably snubbed by Oscar that year), but his work was also singled out in the film’s near-unanimous chorus of critical praise. It’s questionable whether a romance between Hunt and the much older Nicholson is entirely believable, but this movie’s smart enough–and charmingly funny enough–to make it seem endearingly possible. –Jeff Shannon
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April 5, 2008
#1
I’m about as big a fan of Jack Nicholson as anyone, but I hated this movie. It bored me to tears. About halfway through it I was ready to get up and leave… something I’ve never done in a Nicholson film. Why? Because although the movie started out well enough, appearing to be an anti-pc flick with Jack well-cast as a misanthropic writer, it ended up being the ultimate pc, feel-good yawn-inducing, borefest. Oh my, a certifiable nasty person being turned around by a wonderful woman (with the typical kid who is crippled). Gee, what a novel concept…NOT!!! Face it, Helen Hunt can’t act her way out of a paper bag. The movie was created by all the liberal pc crowd who know that anti-gay people just need a little loving to become socially acceptable. For a different story, how about Helen Hunt as a psychotic ax-murderer who fools people into believing what a wonderful person she is. Greg Kinnear as an obnoxious, gay movie reviewer ala Rex Reed. Jack Nicholson as the misanthrope who finds out that Hunt is a serial-killer and exposes her although he still remains a misanthrope. Now that would have been interesting.
April 5, 2008
#2
The movie is realllllllly good I swear but it seems to have no point.
April 5, 2008
#3
I recall reading something someone had said about Jack Nicholson. He said that Nicholson was a terrible actor, because he is the way he is on screen in real life. This makes sense now, given all his roles are the same person. I suppose you just need to find a story that matches you so you get awards for being yourself. (?)
Why this movie won so many awards is beyond me. The acting is mediocre, and the story was very annoying. I was in a very lovey-dovey mood when I watched this, but when I stopped… I was more angry than anything because the movie didn’t end quick enough. This was supposed to be a romantic comedy. I’m not a huge fan of Helen Hunt, so I suppose that didn’t help… but the overriding thought throughout was, “please end. why won’t this end?”
I know… sad.
Go get You’ve Got Mail if you want a good romantic comedy.
April 5, 2008
#4
Now first let me state that I like the overiding theme of the movie. That being that life is not a bowl of cherries where you get to pick and choose perfect people and settings. It is what it is. And if you have friends regardless of how strange they may seem you’re lucky. Then if you manage to find love you are perhaps luckiest of all. All very worthwhile sentiments.
That being said the film was not interesting or engaging at all. The characters are all cute just not particularly appealing. That is except for Nicholson (Udall) of course. And the ONLY funny line of the whole movie is when the star eyed young receptionist asks Jack how he writes women so well. To which Jack replies with a palpable level of disdain ‘First think of a man… then take away reason and accountability and there you have it’. Oh that was classic. I practically fell out of my chair laughing. And i’m sure that every other guy in the theatre wanted to laugh but dared not even show a smile to his wife or girlfriend.
Jack as always is Jack and praise be or this film would have next to no redeeming qualities.
April 5, 2008
#5
As Good As It Gets starring Jack Nicholson is the worst movie ever to win an Oscar for best picture. I hate this movie in every way possible, Helen Hunt is horrible in this, can’t believe she won an Oscar as well. Greg Kinnear is the only saving grace here and even Old Jack looks uninspired. This film is not funny or touching, just plain unbearable.