Jack Nicholson's Greatest Performance

Rating: Null/10 (25 October 2002)

Films that poke fun at Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and/or other disorders and disabilities usually offend me but this 1997 Tristar Pictures release tends to make the viewer laugh with but never at Jack Nicholson's endearing performance as Melvin Udall, a man who suffers from OCD and has a bad attitude because of it taking his annoyances out on everybody and everything that crosses his path. He eats at the same restaurant every day (even insisting to always eat at the same table and bring his own utensils) and always insists to be served by the same waitress, Carol (Helen Hunt). Everybody in the restaurant and throughout much of the city can't stand him but Carol learns to get used to Melvin's sometimes snooty ways. It's by her surprising levels of tolerance for him as well as his having to temporarily watch his neighbor's (Greg Kinnear) dog that begin to inspire Melvin to consider taking a new lease on life and letting every major person in his life join in. Great performances all around. The two leads won Academy Awards (Nicholson for Best Actor and Hunt for Best Actress) for their performances.