As good as things get in Hollywood.
As Good as It Gets (1997)
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work ![]()
Reviews Counted:75
Fresh:64
Rotten:11
Average Rating:7.2/10
Consensus: James L. Brooks and Jack Nicholson, doing what they do best, combine smart dialogue and flawless acting to squeeze fresh entertainment value out of the romantic-comedy genre.
Runtime: 2 hrs 19 mins
Genre: Comedies
Synopsis: Acerbic and outwardly despicable pulp novelist Melvin Udall lives in a haze of obsessive-compulsive behavior patterns, avoiding cracks in the sidewalk and rigidly adhering to his regimen of daily... Acerbic and outwardly despicable pulp novelist Melvin Udall lives in a haze of obsessive-compulsive behavior patterns, avoiding cracks in the sidewalk and rigidly adhering to his regimen of daily breakfasts in the cafe where harried single mom Carol Connelly (Helen Hunt) is the only waitress he'll accept. But his ordered, hermetic world falls apart when his neighbor, a gay painter, needs a babysitter for his cherished dog--and only his long-time nemesis Melvin will do. Then, when the waitress's son's serious illness keeps her from work, Melvin realizes how much he needs her after all. Academy Award Nominations: 7, including Best Supporting Actor--Greg Kinnear, Best Film Editing, Best Original Score (Musical/Comedy), and Best Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen. Academy Awards: Best Actor--Jack Nicholson and Best Actress--Helen Hunt. [More]
Starring: Jack Nicholson, Helen Hunt, Greg Kinnear, Cuba Gooding
Starring: Jack Nicholson, Helen Hunt, Greg Kinnear, Cuba Gooding, Shirley Knight
Director: James L. Brooks
Director: James L. Brooks
Story: Mark Andrus
Screenwriter: Mark Andrus, James L. Brooks
Producer: Kristi Zea, Bridget Johnson
Get This Movie
Reviews for As Good as It Gets
Hunt delivers one of the year's most appealing performances as a Brooklyn single mother.
Don't take the title as truth. This film is not as good as it gets, even though it is pretty darn good.
The movie succeeds at many moments even while pursuing its doomed grand design.
Part of the appeal of this comedy is that Melvin's transformation never gets sappy.
Nicholson struggles for the core of the man but never gets it; so, in most scenes, he resorts to working his face, with grimaces and sneering smiles and lip-pursings in place of acting.
Few movies live up to their title, but this romantic comedy is indeed just about as good as it gets.
As Good As It Gets is a delicious gem with a lead character whose compulsive and obsessive absurdities are engaging, played with relish by the irrepressible Jack Nicholson.
A black but realistic comedy about life and how it sucks and also how impossible it is to fall in love with someone sane, but still it's no excuse for not enjoying yourself.
Latest News for As Good as It Gets
September 19, 2008:
UK Critics Consensus: Tropic Thunder Soldiers On; Then She Found Me Is Found Out
This week's UK releases, expect big laughs as Ben Stiller's star-studded Hollywood satire comedy blasts onto our screens in Tropic Thunder. The sound of a big old biological... More...
May 10, 2005:
Helen Hunt to Write, Direct, and Star in Longtime Pet Project
Oscar-winner Helen Hunt ("As Good As It Gets"), after a four-year absence from the silver screen, will return to write, direct and star in "Then She Found... More...
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 66% 66% | Public Enemies |
| 83% 83% | Harry Potter and the H… |
| 44% 44% | Night at the Museum: B… |
| 75% 75% | Julie & Julia |
| 32% 32% | Terminator Salvation |
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 88% 88% | Inglourious Basterds |
| 78% 78% | The Hangover |
| 49% 49% | Taking Woodstock |
| 26% 26% | The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard |
| 47% 47% | The Girl From Monaco |
RT On Current TV
DIRECTV 358 | Comcast 107 | DISH Network 196 | More...
What’s Hot On RT
Other News
CloseSponsored Links
Around The Network
- As Good as It Gets at Rotten Tomatoes
- As Good as It Gets at IGN
Fresh Links
Featured

Take a look at MSN's choices for the Top 10 films of 2009.

What were your favorites? Least favorites? The funniest and scariest? Moviefone wants to know!

Hollywood.com explores why QT's characters resonate so well with audiences.

TIME chimes in with their own list of the best films released this year.

Click through to see which movies BuzzSugar placed in their Best-of-Decade list!
Promos

Get the latest Tomatometer updates on upcoming movies!



Top Critic



