As Good As It Gets

As Good As It Gets is a romantic comedy with bravura performances from several of the cast. Nicholson won his third Oscar for the lead role as the selfish and malicious oddball, the novelist Melvin Udall, and his co-star Helen Hunt, who has mainly worked in TV, won an Oscar as the single mother Carol, who works as a waitress at Melvin's regular restaurant. Greg Kinnear, who was colourless in "Sabrina", also has a good role as Melvin's neighbour, the gay painter Simon.

As Good As It Gets is about how things do in fact get better when Melvin, by a twist of fate, is coaxed out of his shell and forced to live a life together with other people. At first he merely promises to look after Simon's dog because Simon is in hospital after an assault, but Melvin's ties to the outside world slowly grow stronger and stronger. That is not least because of Carol, with whom, without wanting to admit it, he is head over heels in love.

As Good As It Gets could have ended up in a sentimental slush, but the actors (and the script) manage to strike a fine balance. And that dog, Verdell, is simply irresistible. For a light comedy the film is rather long, but I did not notice that while watching it - which must be said to be praise.