Melvin Udall and Carol Connelly's story deserves its classic--status

Rating: 8/10 (28 December 2007)

Melodramatic compact comedy, by a director who knows his job, a honest craftsman. Sometimes it's slapdash, sometimes it's sharp; the impression, however, it's that the sharp side prevails.
As Good as It Gets (1997)'s place is probably best defined by Nicholson's very obvious pleasure in playing this role.
Nicholson's robustness and bold vitality are simply unmatched. And they are favored by the rather smooth comic of this film (for a counterexample, you might want to see his Anger Management, a very good comedy in its own kind, but nonetheless pedestrian, raw and barbarian).
Three things about Mrs. Helen Hunt:she is extremely sexy; she performs exquisitely; and she looks delicious, incredibly well. Yet she is obviously limitedher character, as a matter of fact, IS obviously limitedas it should indeed beshe is here a waitresswhile Nicholson isn't. There are Nicholson's wonderfully adequate inventions that enhance the film's interest. And his character suits him very well. I mean, this director needed indeed Nicholson for such a role.
The script could be better; yet some lines are remarkable. On the other hand, this film was quite unpredictable for me. The story was nicely handled, and there is a fine feel of intelligence and keenness.
Two more things:Shirley Knight does a very amusing role (she is good in "Desperate Housewives" as well);James L. Brooks is the director of another Nicholson cult--film:Terms of Endearment (1983).