As Good as It Gets (1997)

As Good as It Gets is a character-driven romantic dramedy set in New York City about three very different people whose lives collide and slowly change each other. Melvin Udall is a misanthropic, obsessive-compulsive novelist whose cranky bigotry and rigid routines push everyone away. When his gay neighbor Simon is brutally assaulted and hospitalized, Simon’s dog is left in Melvin’s care. Carol, a single mother and the only waitress who tolerates Melvin’s insults, must leave work to tend to her sick son, pulling her into the orbit of both men. Watching the film, you’ll experience a smart, often sharp mix of dark humor and tender emotion: stinging, laugh-out-loud dialogue sits alongside quietly affecting scenes of vulnerability and small human kindness. The story traces an unlikely friendship and a slow, uneasy redemption as Melvin is forced to confront his prejudices and habits, Carol balances love and responsibility, and Simon copes with trauma. Themes of loneliness, tolerance, and the redemptive power of care are explored through well-drawn characters and strong performances. Expect an intimate, dialogue-heavy film that alternates between uncomfortable honesty and genuine warmth—humor that exposes flaws, moments that tug at the heart, and a bittersweet, hopeful arc that leaves you uplifted if imperfectly changed.

Actors: Jack Nicholson, Helen Hunt, Greg Kinnear

Director: James L. Brooks

Runtime: 139 min

Genres: Comedy, Drama, Romance

7.6 /10 67 /100 7.7 /10 7.3 /10