AS GOOD AS IT GETS 1997
A film review by Timothy Voon
Copyright 1998 Timothy Voon
3 :-) :-) :-) for being as good as it comes
AS GOOD AS IT GETS is one of those brown packages that you get in the mail that far exceeds all your expectations. Well written, sensitively directed and wonderfully acted, makes this unusual romantic comedy one of those rare treasures that one can look back on with utter delight.
Meet Simon the fag, Carol the waitress and Melvin the neurotic, obsessive/compulsive, acid-tongued writer from hell. Mix these three intriguing characters from very different walks in life together and the result is an explosive experiment of human interactions. Watch the neurotic writer (Jack Nicholson) spit hellfire on the fag (Greg Kinnear) and waitress (Helen Hunt). Watch the fag get brutally beaten before emerging triumphant, post emotional catharsis with renewed artistic inspiration, thanks to the compassion of the waitress. Watch the waitress struggle to bring up a sick child alone, waiter on the neurotic writer before writing long thank-you letters where conscience becomes the letter's most difficult issue. Then observe the neurotic demon change into a guardian angel when he helps shelter the fag, the dog, before falling in love with the most wonderful woman in the entire world. This is life, and this is as good as it gets.
I've never liked Jack Nicholson as an actor or as a person. However, one has to commend him on making his character Melvin, one of the most ascorbic and entertaining characters to shine on screen. Greg Kinnear uses his puppy-eyed look to effectively to draw sympathy from the audience when he is savagely beaten. Lastly, the ever charming, ever delightful Helen Hunt, whose character is similar to Jamie in MAD ABOUT YOU, is ideal as the waitress who speaks her mind and holds her own. Fine performances from all concerned. Making this movie experience one of the most enjoyable this year.
Timothy Voon e-mail: stirling@netlink.com.au
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