IMDb > As Good as It Gets (1997)
As Good as It Gets
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As Good as It Gets (1997) More at IMDbPro »

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As Good as It Gets (1997) -- A single mother/waitress, a misanthropic author, and a gay artist form an unlikely friendship
As Good as It Gets (1997) -- MattTrailer.com - Trailer (Flash)

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Overview

User Rating:
7.8/10   86,524 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 28% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers (WGA):
Mark Andrus (story)
Mark Andrus (screenplay) ...
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Contact:
View company contact information for As Good as It Gets on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
25 December 1997 (USA) more
Genre:
Tagline:
Brace yourself for Melvin. more
Plot:
A single mother/waitress, a misanthropic author, and a gay artist form an unlikely friendship full summary | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
Won 2 Oscars. Another 23 wins & 25 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(74 articles)
User Comments:
A superior Hollywood piece of sentimentality more (401 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
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Additional Details

Also Known As:
Old Friends (USA) (working title)
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MPAA:
Rated PG-13 on appeal for strong language, thematic elements, nudity and a beating.
Runtime:
139 min
Country:
Language:
Colour:
Colour (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Title of this movie was translated as "Mr. Cat Poop" in Hong Kong. Apparently it came from the name "Melvin" which is pronounced very similarly to the Cantonese colloquial word for cat poop. more
Goofs:
Continuity: When Carol is standing and talking to Melvin in the restaurant, when viewed from the back, Carol's arms are straight down. When viewed from the front her hands are on her hips. more
Quotes:
Melvin Udall: Judging from your eyes, I'd say you were fifty.
Carol Connelly: Judging from your eyes, I'd say you were kind, so so much for eyes.
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Movie Connections:
Soundtrack:
BALTIMORE more

FAQ

What is that song Vincent plays in Simon's studio?
What is the song Melvin plays in his car marked 'To Use As Icebreaker'?
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40 out of 54 people found the following comment useful.
A superior Hollywood piece of sentimentality, 27 January 2003
Author: bob the moo from Birmingham, UK

Melvin is a romantic novelist who is a selfish manic compulsive who is rude and insulting to all he meets. When Melvin's gay neighbour is beaten up and robbed, Melvin agrees to look after his dog. The dog gives Melvin something to care about other than himself and his life is approaching normal until his regular waitress has to leave work to look after her asthmatic son and his neighbour wants his dog back. Melvin starts to realise that his life needs others for more than just selfish reasons.

The big Oscar winner for Jack is recent years is enjoyable if you come to it knowing what to expect. The film is very sentimental but in a good way. The film is gently comic and amusing and the characters (although exaggerated) are winning and involving. The telling is a little long winded at times and the film could have been shorter but it is still enjoyable. It does tip over into sickly sentimentality at times and can be a bit syrupy but it comes with the territory.

Nicholson is excellent and is the main reason it all works well. His un-PC Melvin is funny but also a character that you can hate and pity on several occasions. Kinnear is good because he is a solid understated character and not hammy or OTT like he can be. Hunt is good but is left with the majority of the syrup and sentiment where the other characters get more share of the laughs. Gooding Jr continues his trend of being good in over the top roles and is funny and happily avoids becoming a flaming gay stereotype.

Overall this is a sentimental romantic comedy that is typical for the genre. The story wanders to it's point but the good cast, led by a great Nicholson, hold the whole thing together. A superior piece of sentimentality.

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for As Good as It Gets (1997)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
anyone here agree with melvin that.. j-rule
Wasn't he a little OLD for her? si7899
how many times did u watch this movie? j-rule
Much better than Titanic metlaneth
$1.13 gas Simon-120
Could There Have Been LESS Chemistry? arnomation
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