"You make me want to be a better man."

Rating: 9/10 (18 December 2003)

How Titanic beat both this and L.A. Confidential for Picture is unfathomable. There is more romance in the line I quoted from As Good As It Gets in the subject line than Titanic has in the whole of the movie. This film has more (and better) quality performances from its cast (even the bit roles), a better script, equally good or better production values (save for special effects) and will likely stand the test of time more solidly than Titanic. Jack Nicholson chews the scenery (so what else is new?), but the character is off-the-wall in the first place. Helen Hunt gives the performance of her career. The script is intelligent, funny, tender and biting-a solid piece of work. Big overblown epic beats solid character study most of the time, sadly. Well worth seeing. Most recommended.