As Good As It Gets [VHS] [1998]

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Editorial reviews

Amazon.co.uk Review
For all of its conventional plotting about an obsessive-compulsive curmudgeon (Jack Nicholson) who improves his personality at the urging of his gay neighbour (Greg Kinnear) and a waitress (Helen Hunt) who inspires his best behaviour, this is one of the sharpest Hollywood comedies of the 1990s. Nicholson could play his role in his sleep (the Oscar he won should have gone to Robert Duvall for IThe Apostle/I), but his mischievous persona is precisely necessary to give heart to his seemingly heartless character, who is of all things a successful romance novelist. As a single mum with a chronically asthmatic young son, Hunt gives the film its conscience and integrity (along with plenty of wry humour) and she also won an Oscar for her wonderful performance. Greg Kinnear had to settle for an Oscar nomination (while co-writer-director James L Brooks was inexplicably snubbed by Oscar that year), but his work was also singled out in the film's near-unanimous chorus of critical praise. It's questionable whether a romance between Hunt and the much older Nicholson is entirely believable, but this movie's smart enough--and charmingly funny enough--to make it seem endearingly possible. i--Jeff Shannon/i

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Customer reviews

review by: date: 2009-06-01 rating:
Lives up to the title
br /This film really is as good as it gets, Probably my favourite motion picture. It ticks every box on what a film should be, It has a story to tell and it does it with charm, wit, emotion and heart. Beautiful chemistry between Jack and Helen. The cast works so well. br / br /Jack's portrayal of a man with OCD is nothing short of outstanding. Nicholson's charm and massive screen presents makes it a joy to watch, the story of a man who beats his disorder just though the power of love. A beautiful film. Buy it now! You won't be disappointed.

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review by: jeannie1282 date: 2009-04-20 rating:
amazing film
This is compulsive viewing. As usual Jack Nicholson really gets into the part and is amazing and to be teemed up with the wonderful Helen Hunt just makes a magical combo. One of the best films I have ever seen. If you have any obsessions or compulsions no matter how mild - you will be able to identify with some of Jack's screen character's problems. Incredibly funny romantic comedy. - I've watched the film so many times and never tire of it and still find it fresh, such a 'feel good' film. Love it!!!

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review by: date: 2009-01-14 rating:
One of the greats
I'm so glad to see the positive reviews here making big claims for this film - I agree, it's one of the great, underrated gems of cinema. Underrated, because the "rom-com" label makes people think it can't be that great. But it is. Perfectly written and performed, with a wonderful balance of humour and pathos, plus far more than its fair share of quotable one-liners, it offers human truth and illumination and redemption as much as anything ever put on film. Melvin's reply to Simon "I'd be the luckiest man alive if that did it for me" is one of the most affecting, funny, transformational moments in any movie I know, as deft as anything Dickens or Shakespeare wrote. I could watch this film any number of times and still look forward to the next viewing. It is as good as it gets.

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review by: Jeeps date: 2008-12-07 rating:
As good as it gets...
Great comedy... br /What do you see on the cover? - Jack Nicholson! That's quite appropriate, as he carries the movie - like a tornado... br /Mr. Nicholson is an ugly galoot, a force of nature and it's a joy to see him let loose! br / br /Not that Helen Hunt and Greg Kinnear are doing badly, it's just hard being up against Jack when he lets go! br / br /One to watch...


review by: date: 2008-02-14 rating:
'I should have danced with you'....
This is one of my favourite movies of all time. I harass as many of my friends as possible into watching it (preferably with me so I can have my fix!). br /Most American comedies rely on people doing silly/stupid things for their humour as opposed to being witty. 'As good as it gets' aims to address this in my opinion. Most of the humour comes from Jack Nicholson being the scathing, disinhibited (and hence) friendless Melvin.His OCD means he visits the same diner every morning for breakfast where Helen Hunt is a waitress. She is also the only person who will put up with him, always quite happy to tell him to watch it and/or shut it she is Melvin's secret love. br /The robbery and assault of Melvin's neighbour serves as the catalyst for change in his life which includes trying to win Carol's affections with some funny faux pas as a result. br / br /This is an utterly brilliant movie. The romance subtle as is some of the humour. There are many layers to what is happening making it more than just a romantic comedy. Defintely deserving of the oscars garnered.

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Similar categories

Video . DVD Blu-ray . Categories . Comedy . All Comedy
Video . DVD Blu-ray . Categories . Drama . Comedy
Video . DVD Blu-ray . Refinements . Format (binding_browse-bin) . VHS
Video . DVD Blu-ray . Refinements . BBFC Rating (intended_use_browse-bin) . 15
Video . DVD Blu-ray . Refinements . Editions (feature_two_browse-bin) . Standard Edition
Video . DVD Blu-ray . Refinements . Release Date (feature_three_browse-bin) . 1990 - 1999
Video . DVD Blu-ray . Refinements . Language (theme_browse-bin) . English
Video . VHS . Categories . Comedy . General
Video . VHS . Categories . Drama . General
Video . VHS . Refinements . Condition (condition-type)

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