As Good As It Gets

16 Dec 1998

Director: James L Brooks

USA

1997

138 min

Helen Hunt and Jack Nicholson both won Oscars for their performances in this irreverent comedy drama. Melvyn Udall (Nicholson) is a dysfunctional and altogether obnoxious individual trapped in a life of solitude by a compulsive obsessive disorder. Carol (Hunt) is the gutsy, independent waitress he falls for. But Melvyn must learn some lessons in humanity if he hopes for a relationship and the grudging act of minding a neighbour’s dog is his first step. The result is a film which is both funny, touching,and at times, rather politically incorrect.