As Good as It Gets

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2:31

As Good as It Gets

PG-13

1997

2h 18m

Romance

Comedy

LGBTQ+

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

86%

Tomatometer

84 Reviews

86%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

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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Duane Byrge

The Hollywood Reporter

12/23/2019

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.

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Anupama Chopra

Film Companion

08/28/2018

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

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Jason Bailey

Vice

01/02/2018

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.

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James Croot

The Post NZ

08/28/2023

4/5

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

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Dan DiNicola

The Daily Gazette (Schenectady, NY)

01/19/2023

A-

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

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Wesley Lovell

Cinema Sight

01/07/2023

3.5/4

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.

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Cork B

@RT87142816 Apr 15

If you are going to do a romcom, do it like this. Not really my kind of movie, but it is so well done it is hard to stop watching. Two (or 3 maybe) damaged people get together to make their lives better. It is funny and distressing and all the things you had hoped for in a modern day romance. My main knock here is, yeah he is Jack Nicholson, but by all that is good out there the guy is way too old for her... I was thinking maybe he should get together with the mother.

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Levi J

@Lev77 Mar 29

Just plain wonderful acting from Nicholson & Hunt in one of the greatest romantic comedies!

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thiago s

@Thiagostone Feb 1

Filme mais ou menos, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são mais ou menos, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom, e as atuações do Jack nicholson e da helen hunt salvaram o filme.

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Oggie B

@OGDawg Nov 29

As Good As It Gets features a masterclass in writing, directing, and acting while reminding us that people can grow and evolve in their lives

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Lisa J

@RT17184382 Nov 23

Still a great romantic dramedy of the ’90s. Jack Nicholson is great; I'm not sure why Helen Hunt is interested, but it's a terrific story.

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Blobbo X

@Blobbo Nov 13

Memorably memorable. Maybe bit too long.

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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: Trailer 1

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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
Screenwriter: Mark Andrus
Distributor: Sony Pictures Entertainment, TriStar Pictures
Production Co: Gracie Films, TriStar Pictures
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
Runtime: 2h 18m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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