As Good as It Gets

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2:31

As Good as It Gets

PG-13

Released Dec 19, 1997

2h 18m

Romance

Comedy

LGBTQ+

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Popcornmeter

86%

Tomatometer

85 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

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

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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

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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

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GM H

Fantastic characters, story line, humor, plot and all around Done right! Loved this movie!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/30/24

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stephen b

What makes this great is that as different as three characters are, these are the same three people who would find each other at a workplace.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

12/15/24

Full Review

Jake of all T

Easily one of my favorite movies of all time. Jack Nicholson is pure. Crazy in this and it just works out so well. There are a lot of good insights into this movie such as the development of found family. Before found, family became that the daily Norm in most all of movies. It also had a very awesome take on acceptance of homosexuality before that was actually really a thing, especially amongst mainstream society. Remember this was 1997. Some people say that the plot doesn't get resolved but they don't understand that the plot is two things Acceptance of circumstances Recognition that this might just the as good as it gets. There are many, many wonderful one-liners. And again, the plot is about learning to accept what cannot be changed and to change yourself In order to change your life. In a lot of ways this movie walked so that Gran Torino can run.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/01/24

Full Review

Jay C

Such a great movie, it was on HBO today,can't resist watching it again, seen this many many times, always love it . GREAT MOVIE.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/26/24

Full Review

Larry K

Verdell was the star of this film. Great acting all around.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

11/13/24

Full Review

Fabrícia F

Uma comédia deliciosamente temperada com uma trama coerente e atuações brilhantes. Vale a pena conferir, rir e pensar sem se levar tão a sério.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/01/24

Full Review

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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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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
Producer: James L. Brooks, Bridget Johnson, Kristi Zea
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
Runtime: 2h 18m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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