...
I remember well the first time that I saw As Good As It Gets. I saw it when it came out in the cinema and I left with a sore side from laughing so hard!
I love the dark satirical humour in it and the softer sides of the characters, which they are trying so desperately to hide.
So here’s ... Read review
Oscar. winners Jack Nicholson and Helen Hunt star alongside Greg Kinnear and Cuba Gooding ... more
Jr in the smash-hit comedy, 'As Good As It Gets'. Nicholson gives a show-stopping performance as Melvin Udall, an obsessive-compulsive novelist who takes pride in...
Oscar. winners Jack Nicholson and Helen Hunt star alongside Greg Kinnear and Cuba Gooding ... more
Jr in the smash-hit comedy, 'As Good As It Gets'. Nicholson gives a show-stopping performance as Melvin Udall, an obsessive-compulsive novelist who takes pride in his ability to affront, repulse, offend and wound. His targets are random, his aim reckless.But when neighbour Simon is hospitalized, Melvin is forced to babysit Simon's dog. And that unexpected act of kindness - along with waitress Carol Connelly (Helen Hunt) - helps put Melvin back in the human race. Winner of three Golden Globe Awards, two Oscars. and a staggering further five Oscar. nominations, 'As Good As It Gets' is a comedy from the heart that goes straight for the throat!
As Good As It Gets collects Gene's complete singles output, spanning 1994-99, plus a ... more
smattering of album tracks, all of which serve as a fitting tribute to a seriously undervalued band. Gene have long been saddled with the tag "Smiths copyists" and, let's face it, there's no escaping the mighty Manc miserablists' paw-prints on their early material. Their first two--admittedly rather fine--singles, "For The Dead" and "Be My Light, Be My Guide", spotlight Steve Mason's jangling Marr-esque arpeggio guitar and the Rozza's Morrissey-like phrasing and Wildean way with a witty epithet. However, they gradually moulded their own distinctive oeuvre, majoring in elegantly attired urban vignettes such as "London, Can You Wait", lifted from 1995's debut album Olympian. Other highlights include the stomping rock & soul of "Haunted By You", the magnificently lachrymose drinking lament "Fill Her Up" and, of course, those languidly crooned ballads "Olympian" and "You'll Never Walk Again". --Chris King
Postage & Packaging:Free! Availability:Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Production Year: 2004 - Comedy - Director: John Hay - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Jennifer Love Hewitt, Jimi Mistry, Kate Miles, Dougray Scott
Comedy - Director: Richard Boden, Mandie Fletcher, Martin Shardlow - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Hugh Laurie, Miranda Richardson, Stephen Fry, Brian Blessed, Tim McInnerny, Tony Robinson, Rowan Atkinson
Comedy - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring: Tessa Peake-Jones, Buster Merryfield, David Jason, Nicholas Lyndhurst
Production Year: 1992 - Comedy - Director: Tim Robbins - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Ray Wise, Alan Rickman, Giancarlo Esposito, Tim Robbins
Advantages: Will make you laugh till your sides split Disadvantages: Slow moving in places
...first time that I saw As Good As It Gets. I saw it when it came out in the cinema and I left with a sore side from laughing so hard!
I love the dark satirical humour in it and the softer sides of the characters, which they are trying so desperately to hide.
So here’s my run down….
AS GOOD AS IT GETS – THE CAST AND PLOT
With such a strong and surprising cast, it was no wonder that this film was such ... ...blame him (well I could), as he suffers from obsessive-compulsive disorder (and some loose connections from leading from his brain to his mouth), which he refuses to go and get treated. Strangely, he is a highly accomplished romantic novelist!
Melvin walks out of an elevator just in time to catch his neighbours dog getting ready to do it’s business on his front doorstep! He hurls abuse at the poor animal and then hurls it down the ... more
This is one of the few films out there that managed to change my opinion about a movie star. I was never a big fan of Jack Nicholson, but after seeing this gem of a movie, I could appreciate the strength in his acting abilities. I remember well the first time that I saw As Good As It Gets. I saw it when it came out in the cinema and I left with a sore side from laughing so hard! I love the dark satirical humour in it and the softer sides of the characters, which they are trying so desperately to hide.
So here’s my run down….
AS GOOD AS IT GETS – THE CAST AND PLOT
With such a strong and surprising cast, it was no wonder that this film was such a hit! The story begins with Melvin Udall (Jack Nicholson). He is completely neurotic, homophobic, twisted….not to mention all round nasty that goes to the bones…but we can’t blame him (well I could), as he suffers from obsessive-compulsive disorder (and some loose connections from leading from his brain to his mouth), which he refuses to go and get treated. Strangely, he is a highly accomplished romantic novelist!
Melvin walks out of an elevator just in time to catch his neighbours dog getting ready to do it’s business on his front doorstep! He hurls abuse at the poor animal and then hurls it down the garbage chute too! As he tries to slide into his apartment, his neighbour Simon (Greg Kinnear), the owner of the dog, sticks his head out and asks Melvin if he has seen him. Melvin being Melvin, hurls more abuse and bad jokes about Simon’s gayness before strutting back into his own apartment. Needless to say, I think Melvin feels very pleased with himself at this point.
A little while later and Simon is back at his door demanding to know if he was the one who put his precious pooch down the garbage chute!
The story moves on to Melvin’s next haunt of neuroses. Every day, Melvin goes to the same café (making sure not to step on any cracks in the pavement or allow people to touch him, along the way) and orders the same food every time at the exact same table…even if someone happens to be sitting there first. Not only that, but no one can or wants to serve him except Carol (Helen Hunt). He harasses some customers until they move off of ‘his’ table and, naturally, gets threatened by the owner of the place that he will end up getting banned. Carol manages to smooth things over and starts taking his order, when once more Melvin and his monster nasty gob manages to insult Carol by making a nasty remark about her son.
Once everything is has settled down, you see a glimpse of Melvin’s more sympathetic side trying to ebb it’s way out as he apologises and tries to find out what is wrong with Carol’s son. Carol begins trying to explain what is wrong when Melvin starts getting fidgety and looks like he was just asking to be polite (which is a word I don’t think is in his personal dictionary).
One day Carol isn’t at work, which upsets him a great deal…so of course, of he sets out to find where she lives and eventually turns up on her doorstep. After somehow managing to talk his way into her apartment, he finds out more about her son, Spencer. After Melvin is kicked out for trying to teach Spencer how to be polite, he pulls in a few favours and pays for a top doctor to go and take care of him. Carol, understandably doesn’t quite know what to think about it all.
The story then moves back to Simon, who is an aspiring artist. He is sketching a new young model (unbeknownst to him, he isn’t a model, just some punk off of the street) and is nearing completion of his painting. He stumbles across some ‘associates’ of the model, who just happen to have been let in by the lad to rob the place, who then beat him into a bloody pulp on the floor.
Simon is hospitalised and is in a very bad way, both physically and mentally. Simon’s art dealer/agent Frank Sachs (Cuba Gooding Jr) tells Simon not to worry as he has found a dog sitter for him…MELVIN! Melvin can’t quite believe he’s been left (without a say in the matter!) to look after Simon’s dog…but what distresses him a little more than that, is the fact that he finds that he quite likes the dog (eventually)!
As a result of Simon’s hospitalisation and lack of medical insurance he is left destitute and penniless. His only hope is to travel cross-country to ask his estranged parents for some money. Melvin is again pushed into volunteering by Frank to drive Simon to his parents. Melvin goes along with it on the condition that Carol comes along to protect him!
I won’t say any more than this, but the rest of the film delves deeper into the lives of each of the characters, their relationships with each other, and they also find out things about themselves that even they did not know!
CHARACTERS AND MY OPINION
Melvin Udall (Jack Nicholson)
Just when you think you know Melvin, you realise that actually you don’t know that much about him. Yes, he is nasty, he definitely has quite a few screws loose, but he also has a very generous and warmth to him that would surprise anyone, Melvin is a novelist and works from home. He seems very determined to shut everyone out with his verbal diarrhoea.. Nicholson really did deserve winning an academy award for best actor for this film. He really did get into this role and you believed that he really did suffer from obsessive-compulsive disorder. You actually cringe for him at times for the things that come out of his mouth!
Carol Connelly (Helen Hunt)
In many ways, I did think that she and Melvin were quite alike. Melvin battled to keep people away from him and to some degree so did she. I really did feel for Carol. It is hard enough in life to be a single parent, but tending to one that has as many allergies as her son did and also having to share a house with your mother, knowing that whenever the opportunity for a ‘date’ arrived, it always seemed to end in disaster. She had every right to feel wound up and claustrophobic as she did, I think any one in her position would feel the same way. Then the big issue with Melvin too. She definitely didn’t have it easy. Helen hunt very much deserved winning the academy award for best actress for this too as she certainly has a niche for wooing the crowds with her great acting ability. She is a very versatile actress and she certainly has my respect.
Simon (Greg Kinnear)
Simon was such a loveable character! His sweet and unassuming personality at first made me think…Boy, get tough! But after watching the whole film, you realise that he does have a more other sarcastic side too. Which makes him a very interesting character altogether. I felt so sorry for Simon after the yobs hospitalised him, but when the movie reveals more of Simon’s past, well…I would have the hankies by hand if I were you! I think Greg did amazing justice to this character, his subtle approach left you wanting more.
Frank Sachs (Cuba Gooding Jr)
Oh boy, his character was hilarious! Especially when Melvin asks if he is the ‘butch’ one in the relationship. Cuba whole presence brought you sitting on the edge of the seat, wondering if he was going to smack Melvin one or not. In the end, think much to Melvin’s disbelief, he quite likes Frank’s friendship. I think that Frank is a friend that any one would want for the fact that he is honest and stands up for his friends. Well done Cuba!
Verdell
Now last, but certainly not least the cutest pooch in the industry. I thought it was funny how at the beginning of the film, Verdell was absolutely terrified of Melvin and by the end of the film he was sitting on Melvin’s lap, and eating out of his hand.
OVERALL
So, the nitty gritty of it all. I think the acting in this film is superb. The plot is hilarious and sad at the same time. I love the way that it gradually opens up each of the characters needs and identities You just wouldn’t believe someone like Melvin could have such a warm side to him, when all he does is spouts horrible nastiness. Carol’s defensive at the best of times, but when she starts to let someone in, you see a whole different side to her. Someone who is caring and understanding, but certainly not afraid to speak her mind!
Simon and Frank is like someone we would all want as friends, they are the kind of people who you know that you could rely upon.
With a classy combination of unusual but great actors and actresses and a brilliant director James L Brooks (the Simpsons!) teamed with a wicked plot and some seriously funny scenes, you can expect yourselves to be bowled over! Brooks manages to make the subtle changes in his characters very believable. The only thing that bugged me about the film was that it did tend to go very slow at times. But I think Brooks was just trying to keep us in anticipation of what would happen to the characters rather than moving sharply from one trait to another.
This film is really one to watch if you need some cheering up and need something to match your mood. It’s definitely one of those films that leave you with a fuzzy ‘feel good’ feeling. The film is classified 15, it has some nudity, swearing and violence and runs for approximately 133 minutes I love this film, so anyone with a dark sense of humour will no doubt love it too!
Advantages: Great cast, story and humour Disadvantages: None
...Melvin can then carry on as normal (normal for him at least!). Carol, who tries to see the best in everybody, mistakes Melvins help as an act of kindness and starts to see this cranky and offensive man in a new light. Meanwhile Melvin's homosexual neighbour Simon, an artist, is badly beaten up by his model Vinvent, a vagrant off the streets. Hospitalised and unable to look after his dog, Simons agent and boyfriend Frank, insists that Melvin looks ... ...romance in the air? Well as per usual I will say no more to avoid spoiling the story for those people who have yet to see it! Cast/Characters *************** Jack Nicholson plays Melvin Udall the obsessive-compulsive novelist and quite possibly the most offensive man on the planet. But it is because he is so blunt that you just can't help loving the character. ****Favourite Melvin quote, when asked by a female fan as to how he writes so well from ...
Judgee 09.12.2001
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of As Good As It Gets (DVD)
Advantages: brilliant quotes, something different Disadvantages: drags a little
...see it but reluctantly agreed as the video was put into the video recorder. Not being a woman (that sounds more sexist than I meant it honest!) I thought that the film was a romantic one and so had to have my arm-twisted, but boy am I glad I did! I would urge anyone to watch this film and not pre-judge it like I did. THE CAST The cast for this film was very well chosen and I felt that every actor fitted into the role of their character exceptionally ... ...sick little boy, she works as a waitress and is the only one who can serve Melvin. She obviously has a soft spot for him as she stops her boss banning Melvin on several occasions. However there is great tension between her and Melvin, which is hard to distinguish between sexual tension and plain hatred Beverly – Shirley Knight, Carol’s long suffering mum and babysitter she has a subtle but important role in the film and is a pillar of ...
GR-Design 29.05.2001
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of As Good As It Gets (DVD)
Advantages: It’s probably an ideal date movie for the older generation. Disadvantages: Nicholson and Hunt’s performances are overwrought AND overrated.
...Fans will not be disappointed as Jack’s attitude of surliness continues albeit with the handicap that he plays Melvin Udall, a romantic novelist of 62 novels who has a compulsive obsessive disorder AND a frequent habit of saying what he thinks.
However, the writers haven’t necessarily put in the most cutting edge of humour and it is wryly bruising and amusingly offensive. However it certainly isn’t a heavygoing film (despite it’s ... ...Jack’s wisecracks are there purely as insults (which will probably grate on the minds of the more liberal).
It is to Nicholson’s credit that he can carry on such appalling behaviour without much threat of a reprimand BUT knowing of course, it is Jack, there is something that’s going to happen to him.
He doesn’t like to be touched. He doesn’t want to walk over cracks in the pavement. He washes his hands constantly when ...
kingmaker 07.05.2001
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of As Good As It Gets (DVD)
Advantages: great Oscar winning performances, moving and Funny Disadvantages: none
...is, he usually strikes me as Jack Nicholson playing ‘Jack Nicholson’. You know someone who is a bit away from the norm, or who has some kind of a quirk, or a dark side. Well
In ‘As Good As It Gets’ he plays Melvin Udall - a strange oddball (yes typecasting again!), diagnosed as a compulsive obsessive. He has no friends, seems to have no feelings – a real sad loner.
Each day he has breakfast in the same Diner. The same ... ...Melvin’s ‘waitress of choice’ is Carol, played by Helen Hunt. Melvin is not a lovable character. He gets and deserves little sympathy for his actions and his are very curt and often derogatory. Carol tolerates him, at best. She may dislike having to serve him each day, but she’s a single mum, living with her mother and looking after her sick son, so she needs the job and any extra tips Melvin may just put her way. Meanwhile, ...
flashpointz 25.02.2001
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of As Good As It Gets (DVD)
Advantages: funny, comedy with style Disadvantages: none
As Good As It Gets is one of those comedies that doesn't try to hard to sell every joke. It certainly doesn't resirt to slapstick visual gags either. No what you get here is a great script with good characters, acting and some excellent one-liners. Jack Nicholson plays Melvin Udall, a novelist with an obsessive-compulsive disorder. Melvin is not a nice man, he doesn't mix his words as he offends everyone he comes into contact with. He has a gay neighbour ... ...Digital 5.1 and 2.0 mixes. As with most comedies the sound doesn't employ much use of rear effects but the quality is very solid with clear dialougue. This is an early dvd release and came at a time when extras weren't lavished on a lot of dvd's This one comes with a trailer, filmographies and an audio commentary. The audio track is very relaxed and features mainly Director James L Brooks. But there are also appearances from Helen Hunt, Greg Kinnear ...
utero 26.05.2001
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of As Good As It Gets (DVD)
Did you enjoy it?
Story
Characters / Performances
Special Effects
How does it compare to ...
Similar reviews »
Reviews which might be of interest for "As Good As It Gets (DVD)"
Advantages: Excellent DVD Extras, Arse Kicking women in leather. Disadvantages: Cheesy but cool
Basically this is gonna be set out in a review style cause i dont really know how to do an opinion on it because people might not of seen it and i dont wanna give it away - awwwwwww aint i nice :) hehe
Plot: The Cheesy Seventies TV Series is transformed into an arse-kicking blockbuster with Cameron Diaz, Lucy Liu and Drew Barrymore as the lady investigators on the trail of some stolen software.
Picture Quality: Asgoodasitgets.
DVD Extras: Along with three deleted scenes, the trailer, Apollo 440 and Destiny's Child music videos and a blooper reel, there are five mini featurettes. The first is on enthusiastic director McG who "just loves to blow things up" - lol. Then theres a look through the girls wardrobe (sorry lads not through the underwear draws-lol), features on the sets, special effects and a wire work the actors had ...
Advantages: it's 21 discs of Laurel and Hardy in one box! Disadvantages: there are none.
, a 1991 documentary, plus footage of the duo in German (in those early talkie days many films were made in 3 languages at the same time, and here L+H learned to speak German phonetically).
Each disc also has a booklet with a little bit of history about the films, and photos and notes on the production. Each disc also has computer colorized versions of some of the movies. This is a love/hate thing with fans and I'm very much in the latter category... colorization of classic black and white movies is sacrilege anyway, and to do it to Laurel and Hardy... ouch! I suppose these were done to satisfy the American TV market where so many ignorant viewers will not watch anything that isn't in colour...
The whole feel of this set is wonderful. It looks good, it's been lovingly put together, and the quality of the DVD transfers is asgoodas you ...
Advantages: Extremlley funny and good value. Disadvantages: Cant watch over and over again.
This is one of the animated cartoon best comedies of all time!
The wit is rarely sophisticated or particularly clever, but it will appeal to your childish side. It is easy to just jumpon the sofa and spend the whole afternoon and evening just watching this comedy and packing in a whole lot of cheap laughs that will keep you laughing long after it is finished.
The characters are so memorable and individual, and it is impossible not to find aspects that you can relate to with each of them. Stewie is my personal favourite.
This programme is funny to adults and children alike, and makes a fab addition to any DVD collection. This series is asgoodas ever.
It is also pretty good value, as you get 18 episodes. ...
Melvin Udall (Jack Nicholson – in an Oscar-winning role) is a novelist who delights in his own ability to offend, repulse, affront and wound - not minding who he upsets in the process. It takes waitress Carol Connelly (Helen Hunt) and the unexpected act of kindness of babysiting a neighbour's dog to put him back on track...
Release details
DVD Region
DVD
Studio(s)
SONY PICTURES HOME ENTERTAINMENT; CINRAM LOGISTICS, UNIVERSAL PICTURES UK; CINRAM LOGISTICS (SWINDON), UCA; CINRAM LOGISTICS (SWINDON)
Best Actor In A Leading Role 1997 (Jack Nicholson)
OSCAR
Best Actress In A Leading Role 1997 (Helen Hunt), Best Actor In A Leading Role 1997 (Jack Nicholson)
Professional reviews
Review
"...It's fun to watch [Nicholson] play an SOB..." (Entertainment Weekly, p.48, 27/03/1998)
"...It shows off Mr. Brooks's gift for the right-on zinger and his sweet, rueful way of enjoying his characters' stubborn tics....As winning as it is barbed..." (New York Times, p.E1, 23/12/1997)
"...Hugely entertaining....Nicholson is in top form -- nobody is better at lacing laughs with malice..." (Rolling Stone, p.61-2, 22/01/1998)
"...Nicholson is an endlessly watchable performer..." (Sight and Sound, p.38-9, 01/03/1998)
"...The full octane Jack is back....Hunt delivers one of the year's most appealing performances..." -- 3 1/2 out of 4 stars (USA Today, p.1D, 23/12/1997)
DVD Description
Acerbic and outwardly despicable pulp novelist Melvin Udall lives in a haze of obsessive-compulsive behaviour patterns, avoiding cracks in the sidewalk and rigidly adhering to his regimen of daily breakfasts in the cafe where harried single mom Carol Connelly is the only waitress he'll accept. But his ordered, hermetic world falls apart when his neighbour, a gay painter, needs a babysitter for his cherished dog--and only his long-time nemesis Melvin will do. Then, when the waitress's son's serious illness keeps her from work, Melvin realizes how much he needs her after all.
Compare As Good As It Gets (DVD) to other similar Comedy »
Similar products and search queries by other users »
As Good DVD, As As DVD, As Good As DVD, As Good It DVD, As Good Gets DVD, As As It DVD, As As Gets DVD, As Good As It DVD, As Good As Gets DVD, As Good It Gets DVD, As As It Gets DVD, As Good As It Gets DVD
Are you the manufacturer / provider of As Good As It Gets (DVD)? Click here
