It's kua chee time, as we join
Godfrey at the movies...
As Good as It Gets
Directed by James L. Brooks. Screenplay
by Mark Andrus and James L. Brooks
This is a story about Melvin Udall (Jack Nicholson),
a most unpleasant man living in Manhattan. He’s a successful author who
lives the life of a recluse... he's a homophobic, anti-Semitic racist with
an intense dislike of dogs (he throws one down a garbage shoot) and people.
Every time he opens his mouth, something vicious comes out. Moreover, he is
afflicted with an obsessive/compulsive disorder that makes his behaviour
seem even more strange. He brings his own utensils when he goes out to
dinner, he refuses to step on sidewalk cracks, and he wears gloves all the
time. The neighbours avoid him, and the waitress, Carol (Helen Hunt), at
his favourite restaurant barely tolerates his presence.
All this changes when his neighbour, a gay artist
named Simon (Greg Kinnear), is beaten up by a group of robbers. Simon's
dealer, Frank (Cuba Gooding Jr.), forces Melvin to care for Simon's dog.
This is where the story gets all mushy... Melvin grows to love the dog,
starts doings things that are "nice" (I won’t elaborate). He also "thinks"
he’s taking an interest in his friendly nurse. Nicholson is wonderful as
Melvin the jerk. His delivery and timing of his one-liners are superb.
It’s his "turning over a new leaf" part that’s not so convincing. It’s
for this reason I thought that Jack Nicholson was not performing up to
expectations (One flew over the cuckoo’s nest - excellent, Chinatown -
unforgettable, A few good men - delicious).
All said and done, you must watch out for times when
the "ugly side" of Melvin Udall overcomes the "goody two-shoes side"
(these are absolutely hilarious situations). Helen Hunt (I’m in love with)
gives a breath-taking performance as a single working mother with a sickly
child with no time to explore (and enjoy) a social life. She manages to
capture the realism of a woman tired (frustrated) with everyday life and,
who yearns for just a little bit more. Then there’s Greg Kinnear who is
wonderful as an already- emotionally-wounded gay artist, who has suffered
a massive betrayal that has robbed him of the will to live. Kinnear manages
to capture the essence of this individual and bring it to life on screen.
The story continues... Kinnear needs to go home and beg for money from his
parents - and ol’ Melvin "volunteers" to take him there, only if Carol
follows. This is where the fun starts.
This is a very simple movie done with minimal
splendour (read that as SFX) ...a love story, a tale of evil turning over
a new leaf (e.g. Scrooge), homosexuality and how to deal with it (sort of)
... it’s really something everyone’s going to enjoy. It’ll also leave that
sac of tear just waiting to explode once you leave the theatre. A good and
enjoyable movie that’s worth a watch anytime of the week.
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