Not as good as it gets, but certainly good

Rating: 7/10 (3 April 1999)

I didn't expect "As Good As It Gets" to live up to its title, and it doesn't. The big-screen work of writer-director James L. Brooks, including the Oscar winning "Terms of Endearment," has yet to match the quality of TV's "Mary Tyler Moore Show," which he guided to classic status in the 70s. Nonetheless, "As Good As It Gets" is his best work for the big screen to date. Jack Nicholson did not deserve his third Oscar for his role here, but, hey, he's Jack and a delight to watch even though his affliction--obsessive compulsive disorder--isn't rendered too believably (Nicholson doesn't simply avoid stepping on the cracks in the sidewalk, he rather nonchalantly DANCES around them--hardly the thing a true obsessive compulsive would do). Helen Hunt's no-nonsense waitress is convincing, though, as is Greg Kinnear's gay artist. There are more than enough funny lines to merit the Oscar nomination for best screenplay, and even at 144 minutes (what is this? A James Bond movie?), it's an enjoyable ride.