As Good as It Gets

PG-13

Released Dec 19, 1997

2 hr. 18 min.

Romance

Comedy

LGBTQ+

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List

86%

85 Reviews

Tomatometer

86%

250,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Melvin Udall (Jack Nicholson) is an obsessive-compulsive writer of romantic fiction who's rude to everyone he meets, including his gay neighbor Simon (Greg Kinnear), but when he has to look after Simon's dog, he begins to soften and, if still not completely over his problems, finds he can conduct a relationship with the only waitress (Helen Hunt) at the local diner who'll serve him.

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Critics Consensus

James L. Brooks and Jack Nicholson, doing what they do best, combine smart dialogue and flawless acting to squeeze fresh entertainment value out of the romantic-comedy genre.

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John M

Endless unbearable cringe, maybe there was a different standard in 1997, but it is unwatchable now.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

04/20/24

Full Review

Aidan M

Nicholson in most of his films is a jerk, especially in this one, but this film shows the complexities of one's life and how people change, about how you think of man and take away reason and accountability.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/27/24

Full Review

Marcelo J

Brilliant!. Nicholson and Hunt superb work. Dialogues are stunning. Each word Nicholson says was carefully selected to destroy his counterpart (Hunt character) as it was part of a powerful atomic bomb. Very well written, directed and performed film. A must seen film, no doubt.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/16/24

Full Review

Andrew H

A great film most of my friends have never seen. One of the best screenplays of all time and best lead performances in a "romcom" though I'd say it's more a dramedy. Jack Nicholson's character, Melvin Udall, is hilarious.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/28/24

Full Review

Utshab P

Loved it.Fun to watch now and then

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/08/23

Full Review

Mequias L

John Bailey's frenetic and bland cinematography coupled with Mark Andrus's terrible supporting character dialogue make this title an uncomfortable and frustrating watch for those of us who understand the intricacies of the industry. Many aspects of the plot are confusing or downright out of place. The prowess of a brilliant cast goes almost completely untapped due to horrible editing and a lack of proper director vision. This host of issues plague "As Good As It Gets", making it a poor technical creation. Despite all these setbacks, the wonderful message of this film, coupled with Jack Nicholson's incredibly honest performance elevate "As Good As It Gets" to overwhelming viewer praise and resounding accolade, with a whopping thirty-four awards and countless nominations. If you have a keen eye and are a stickler for proper production and performance, this title is a minefield. Otherwise, if you are oblivious or can ignore the issues stated above, this movie carries a wonderful and heartfelt example of how mankind can overcome and grow, no matter how far along it is, its place or its time.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/25/23

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James L. Brooks

Director

Jack Nicholson

Melvin Udall

Helen Hunt

Carol Connelly

Greg Kinnear

Simon Bishop

Cuba Gooding Jr.

Frank Sachs

Skeet Ulrich

Vincent Lopiano

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As Good as It Gets: Official Clip - Sell Crazy Someplace Else

1:34

As Good as It Gets: Official Clip - The Greatest Woman Alive

2:13

As Good as It Gets: Official Clip - Verdell the Dog

2:01

As Good as It Gets: Official Clip - You Make Me Want to Be a Better Man

2:01

As Good as It Gets: Official Clip - Who Needs These Thoughts?

2:13

As Good as It Gets: Official Clip - Good Times, Noodle Salad

2:12

As Good as It Gets: Official Clip - We're All Gonna Die Soon

2:01

As Good as It Gets: Official Clip - How Do You Write Women So Well?

1:57

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As Good as It Gets: Trailer 1

2:31

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Duane Byrge

Hollywood Reporter

With terrific lead performances by Jack Nicholson as a demonic novelist and Helen Hunt as a Manhattan waitress, As Good as It Gets is as good as mature adult entertainment gets on the silver screen.

Dec 23, 2019

Full Review

Anupama Chopra

Film Companion

This is the stuff of formula but director James L. Brooks and co-writer Mark Andrus elevate it with terrific writing.

Aug 28, 2018

Full Review

Jason Bailey

Vice

On one hand, it's Brooks's film that most betrays his TV sitcom roots; it's also one of his more ambitious works, packing in subplots and subjects by the handful-indicative of a filmmaker who seems to genuinely struggle with the confines of the genre.

Jan 2, 2018

Full Review

James Croot

Stuff.co.nz

Despite seemingly being given pretty much free rein to ham things up mercilessly, he [Jack Nicholson] shines without ever becoming too much.

Rated: 4/5

Aug 28, 2023

Full Review

Dan DiNicola

The Daily Gazette (Schenectady, NY)

A charming romantic comedy that will make you laugh and feel good. Excellent performances all around.

Rated: A-

Jan 19, 2023

Full Review

Wesley Lovell

Cinema Sight

James L. Brooks’ screenplay is fantastic, we are in their lives, it feels as if we are PART of their lives and watching it from right up close.

Rated: 3.5/4

Jan 7, 2023

Full Review

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Synopsis

Melvin Udall (Jack Nicholson) is an obsessive-compulsive writer of romantic fiction who's rude to everyone he meets, including his gay neighbor Simon (Greg Kinnear), but when he has to look after Simon's dog, he begins to soften and, if still not completely over his problems, finds he can conduct a relationship with the only waitress (Helen Hunt) at the local diner who'll serve him.

Director: James L. Brooks
Executive Producer: Laurence Mark, Richard Sakai, Laura Ziskin
Screenwriter: Mark Andrus, Mark Andrus, James L. Brooks
Distributor: TriStar Pictures, Sony Pictures Entertainment
Production Co: TriStar Pictures, Gracie Films
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Romance, Comedy, LGBTQ+
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 19, 1997, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 16, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $147.6M
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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