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As Good As It Gets
(1997)
Genre(s):
Gays, King of Beasts (Dogs), New York, New York, Romantic Comedy, Top Grossing Films of 1998, Waiters & Waitresses, Writers
Cast:
Missi Pyle, Jack Nicholson, Helen Hunt, Greg Kinnear, Cuba Gooding Jr., Skeet Ulrich, Shirley Knight, Yeardley Smith, Lupe Ontiveros, Bibi Osterwald, Brian Doyle-Murray, Randall Batinkoff, Shane Black, Tara Subkoff; DIRECTED BY: James L. Brooks; PRODUCER: TriStar Pictures;
Awards:
Oscars 1997: Actor (Nicholson), Actress (Hunt); Golden Globes 1998: Actor--Mus./Comedy (Nicholson), Actress--Mus./Comedy (Hunt), Film--Mus./Comedy; Natl. Bd. of Review 1997: Actor (Nicholson), Support. Actor (Kinnear); Screen Actors Guild 1997: Actor (Nicholson), Actress (Hunt); Writers Guild 1997: Orig. Screenplay; Broadcast Film Critics 1997: Actor (Nicholson).
Review:
Entertaining and enjoyable outing from Brooks racked up an impressive list of Oscar noms (including Best Picture). Obsessive-compulsive romance novelist Melvin Udall (Nicholson) is also the meanest guy in New York, liked by nobody and hating all. The only exception is single-mother/waitress Carol (Hunt), who puts up with his annoying habits at the local restaurant where he dines. Forced to look after gay neighbor Kinnear's fussy-but-cute dog, Udall falls into an improbable quest for love, friendship, and a life as "normal as it gets" in this sort of extended-sitcom universe. Snappy dialogue by Brooks and co-writer Andrus, and an easy-going non-stereotypical performance by Kinnear are highlights, almost overshadowing both Hunt's Jodie Foster-like portrayal, and Nicholson's typical but delightful role (both of which won Oscars).
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