Review of As Good as It Gets (1997) by Citizen J — 26 Jul 2010

Great direction, performances priceless, clever script and an unforgettable soundtrack. These ingredients are very well harmonized to "Mellhor is Impossible" a touching movie.

We started the movie with the MONSTER (there is no other word that defines best) Jack Nicholson implying with the neighbor's dog. Thereafter, in Melvin's personality is presented masterfully by Nicholson. A person who uses sarcasm to ward off all around him and has a series of compulsive disorders that worsen her interaction with society. In the midst of so many people, only Carol (the waitress - Helen Hunt) can cope with the crank.

A series of events invade the life of Melvin who is forced to change their routine. Something that makes you suffer, because their disorders enslave them into your routine.

We believe that the interpretation of Nicholson will fall and begin to surprise us even more. To whom would this merit? James Brooks, who had directed Nicholson very well in "Terms of Endearment"? The script? Nicholson's talent? What we are witnessing is a perfect fit. Its austerity is beginning to be broken by the coexistence with the neighbor's dog. We see that Melvin starts to deliver, but that attempts to indoctrinate against it. The changes are worse for him, when Carol can not go to work to care for her sick son. He is desperate because he can not have lunch if not anted it. But we have an initial interest in male / female. We have a whim of their disorders that do offer help to the child so she can return to work. Carol initially confuse things, but Melvin logo shows "nicely" that his only concern is that she return to work.

Great interpretation also Greg Kinnear who plays a homosexual without resorting to mannerisms annoying constantly used in these types of interpretations. Besides Cuba Gooding Jr. has an interesting character with a personality important for the development of the film. All characters in the film are justified, and there are not free. The script plays, seems parade. We are lacking in cohesive and interesting itineraries. And this gives us showing that the simplicade and common sense can arise divine works.

Where the interests of Helen Hunt began to appear, I began to disagree with the grandeur of the film. There she begins to present itself as a woman alone and helpless. Seeing that Melvin is wary of his son, begins to feel deep gratitude. I thought that from that moment the film starts to unravel. But this divine script once again gives us a trick. Carol begins to feel concern as a woman. And everything is shown in a gentle way and fun to watch. I confess that until I was in love with Melvin. Never found the beautiful Nicholson (mainly because he has the eternal face of Joker), but it is amazing how when he gets back to the charming restaurant in a suit. Nicholson was really neat. And the following scenes are filled with wonderful dialogue. Always expect big pearls sadism of his mouth. And for me, one of the best scenes takes place at dinnertime. After Melvin finish doing one more rude commentary (this time referring to the way you're dressed like), Carol orders him to give a compliment. Then he starts to run wildly that has psychiatric problems and need to take pills, but hate taking pills and not preventing it gets good. Soon afterwards, says to see Carol started taking pills. At the moment all is quiet and just think: He spoke a dozen zucchini meaningless. And when asked about the loved one that kind of compliment it was, he replied: "You make me want to be a better person." It is beautiful to witness something so beautiful come from someone as hateful. Of course, he soon disrupts again. But the message the movie leaves us is that there is perfection. Even with all the obstacles, the better is impossible.

Melvin makes us laugh. Makes us angry. It makes us cry. Brings out our pity. And above all shows us that love is one of desperate humanity.