As Good as Jack Gets.

Rating: 8/10 (23 March 2016)

As Good as it Gets (1997): Dir: James L. Brooks / Cast: Jack Nicholson, Helen Hunt, Greg Kinnear, Cuba Gooding Jr., Skeet Ulrich: Title provides an issue of challenge to its hero to improve himself. Jack Nicholson plays Melvin, a grouch unable to give compliment or love. He stuffs his neighbor's dog down a garbage shoot, insults a waitress, and limits his contact with people. His gay neighbor goes to the hospital after receiving a beating from a client's boyfriend, and his dog stays with Melvin due to suggestion from his dealer. Helen Hunt plays a waitress whose son is ill and Melvin pays the hospital bill just to get her back to work. Director James L. Brooks balances humour and drama although the ending is difficult to accept. Brooks previously made such high profile flicks as Terms of Endearment and Broadcast News. Nicholson is so crude, he's likable. Hunt faces both frustration and guilt. Can these two possibly form a romantic union as suggested? It is not easy to buy as presented here. Greg Kinnear does fine as a neighbor bewildered at Melvin's sudden change. Cuba Gooding Jr. is funny as Kinnear's dealer in what could have been subdued in the wrong casting. Skeet Ulrich plays a male model who results in Kinnear taking a beating. There are predictable elements but also many moments of great amusement. Themes of love to the lonely make it the best it could be. Score: 8 / 10