It couldn't be better

Movie
German title	It couldn't be better
Original title	As Good as It Gets
Country of production	United States
original language	English
Publishing year	1997
length	133 minutes
Age rating	FSK 6
Rod
Director	James L. Brooks
script	Mark Andrus ; James L. Brooks
production	Bridget Johnson
music	Hans Zimmer
camera	John Bailey
cut	Richard Marks
occupation
	Jack Nicholson : Melvin Udall; Helen Hunt : Carol Connelly; Greg Kinnear : Simon Bishop; Cuba Gooding junior : Frank Sachs; Skeet Ulrich : Vincent Lopiano; Shirley Knight : Beverly Connelly; Jesse James : Spencer Connelly; Yeardley Smith : Jackie Simpson; Lupe Ontiveros : Nora Manning; Harold Ramis : Dr. Martin Bettes;

Good As It Gets is one of the director James L. Brooks staged comedy from 1997 with Jack Nicholson and Helen Hunt in the lead roles.

action

The successful New York writer Melvin suffers from obsessive-compulsive disorder . In restaurants he always takes his own plastic cutlery with him, he always uses a new bar of soap to wash his hands, and stepping on the pavement is taboo. He is rude and insensitive to his fellow human beings. In addition, he is prone to condescending and insulting statements, which makes him generally unpopular. He even uttered anti-gay and racist slogans to his homosexual neighbor Simon and his black friend Frank.

The only person who can stand up to him and get along with him is the waitress Carol, who serves him in his regular restaurant. She is the single mother of a boy with asthma . One day, because of her son Spencer's health, Carol can no longer serve Melvin's food. Melvin then asks his publisher's husband, Dr. Bettes, a renowned doctor, used to treat Spencer. He also pays for it. Melvin is now beginning to change. He takes medication for his illness and gradually brings his obsessional neuroses under control. At the same time he takes care of his neighbor Simon's dog. Simon was beaten up by a gang in his apartment and is broke after a long hospital stay.

Melvin finally drives Simon in his convertible to his parents in Baltimore , with whom Simon has not spoken a word for years, to ask them for financial support. Melvin wants Carol to accompany her. When Melvin reveals to her that he wants to change because of her, she kisses him. However, she feels hurt when he tells her immediately afterwards that he hopes she could sleep with Simon and thus help him overcome his homosexuality .

On his return, Melvin takes in his neighbor Simon, who has now become homeless. Melvin feels confused after the events of the past few days. Simon tells Melvin that he, Melvin, is in love. He advises Melvin to visit Carol immediately. Melvin does this that same night and confesses his feelings to Carol; the two make up.

Quote

"Melvin Udall: 'Some of us have great stories ... pretty stories that take place at lakes with boats and friends and noodle salad. Just not anybody in this car. But lots of people - that's their story - good times and noodle salad. And that's what makes it hard. Not that you had it bad, but being that pissed that so many had it good. '"

“Melvin Udall: 'Some of us have great stories ... lovely stories that take place by lakes, with boats and friends and pasta salad. Just none of those present. But a lot of people - that's their story - good times and pasta salad. And that is what makes it hard. Not that we are doing badly, but we are angry that so many are doing well. '"

criticism

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IMDb

“James L. Brook's finely balanced balancing act between comedy and drama shows that you can land better hits with well-placed verbal attacks than with any high-tech boom. In addition, he and the writer Melvin designed a character who degrades every Twister to the Azores high [...] One suspects that Brooks is less interested in dramatic entanglements than in the gradual humanization of his main character. But this process is so unobtrusive that you hardly notice how masterfully Brooks interweaves the threads of his story and catches the viewer in them. Anyway, Jack Nicholson is wonderful. [...] "

- TV movie

"All in all, a thoroughly lovable film, albeit a touch of insignificance, which teaches you to look carefully, especially where the word 'impossible' lights up in your head."

- epd film

“An excellently staged mixture of a satirical portrait of society and a romantic comedy, which not only impresses with the depth and wit of its dialogues, but also offers high-quality acting. As primus inter pares , Jack Nicholson brilliantly explores the depths of his character. "

- film service

Trivia

The couple Melvin molested in his regular restaurant at the beginning are Lisa Edelstein and Peter Jacobson . Both are from the TV series Dr. House known.
Melvin sings in the film a line from "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" from the Monty Python film The Life of Brian . A version of the title interpreted by Art Garfunkel is played during the credits .