How rude people can be great to watch...

Rating: 8/10 (18 May 2005)

If there is one actor that has done a very good job in almost all the movies he ever played in, than it must be Jack Nicholson. He's one of the most constant actors I know off and with this movie he proves his many talents once again...
This time he is Melvin Udall, a cranky, selfish, extremely rude and obsessive-compulsive writer who hates everybody and everything, especially his homosexual neighbor with his cute little dog. When his neighbor has been brutally beaten and needs to be hospitalized, Melvin is entrusted to the care of the dog he hates so much. His entire life is turned upside down and to make things worse: the only waitress who tolerated him at the only restaurant where he eats his daily breakfast, needs to leave work to care for her sick son, making it from then on impossible for Melvin to eat his breakfast. All this makes him realize that perhaps he needs others for more than just selfish reasons...
Of course you could say that this is yet another sentimental, romantic comedy / drama, like we have seen so many more before and in a way that is true. But it is mainly thanks to the cast's and especially Jack Nicholson's excellent performance, that this movie is lifted above the average in the genre. I'm sure that there aren't many actors who are able to make Melvin a person who you love to hate at first, but who also has something likable about him. Jack Nicholson is one of those actors and he really did a very nice job in this movie.
But next to the excellent acting, I must also admit that the story was well-written and that the humor worked perfectly. Sure it is all quite predictable: It's the typical stuff of people who are each-others opposites, but start accepting and even liking each other in the end. But the thing is that it works very well this time and that's all that matters to me when I'm watching a movie. Somehow the writer and director have found a way to make it all more than just bearable or watchable. They have made a fine comedy out of it and that's why I give this movie a 7.5/10.