As Good As It Gets (1997)
A movie review by Michael J. Legeros
Copyright 1997 by Michael J. Legeros
(TriStar)
Directed by James L. Brooks
Written by Mark Andrus and James L. Brooks
Cast Jack Nicholson, Helen Hunt, Greg Kinnear, Cuba Gooding
Jr., Shirley Knight, Skeet Ulrich
MPAA Rating "PG-13"
Running Time 138 minutes
Reviewed at General Cinemas at Pleasant Valley, Raleigh, NC
(06DEC97)
==
The new romantic comedy from James L. Brooks (BROADCAST NEWS, TERMS OF ENDEARMENT) is a hoot. Jack Nicholson sinks his fangs into yet another role of a lifetime as Melvin, an obsessive-compulsive Manhattan writer whose cranky, cursing, confrontational tendencies are in grave danger of being humanized by three beings: a struggling single mom (Helen Hunt), a wounded gay artist (Greg Kinnear), and said artist's small dog. Politically incorrect hilarity ensues, but also a few tears, as Mel can break a heart as quickly as he warms one. In fact, the film covers a range of emotions that's arguably *too* wide for it's own good. The big (but not crippling) problem is the tone, which is susceptible to the same split-second shifts that Nicholson's character is. (Yeah, it's fun to see him turn on a dime; it's another matter entirely when the movie wants to.) Then there's the story, which feels more than a little contrived. We're asked to believe a whole lot in this one, the least of which is the grave age (and experiential) difference between Mel and his love interest, well-played by Ms. Hunt. How odd, I must say, to enjoy a romance that has you rooting for the two to stay *apart*. With Cuba Gooding Jr., Shirley Knight, and Skeet Ulrich. And, the song sung at the piano by Jack is, indeed, Monty Python's "Always Look On The Bright Side of Life."
Grade: B+
-- Mike Legeros - Movie Hell http://www.nonvirtual.com/hell
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