Genre

Romantic Comedy

Directed By

James L. Brooks

Cast

Jack Nicholson, Helen Hunt, Greg Kinnear, Cuba Gooding Jr., Skeet Ulrich and Shirley Knight

Plot Summary

New York City. Melvin Udall, a cranky, bigoted, obsessive-compulsive writer, finds his life turned upside down when neighbouring gay artist Simon is hospitalised and his dog is entrusted to Melvin. In addition, Carol, the only waitress who will tolerate him, must leave work to care for her sick son, making it impossible for Melvin to eat breakfast.

Comments

• BoxOffice Magazine Review: "...smart enough to be serious, funny enough to be entertaining..."
• A simply charming movie
• Did not like Jack Nicholson as an actor or as a person, but his performance as Melvin is really too commendable...
• Appealing performance by Helen Hunt... never call her a babe, she can act
• Odd match between Jack Nicholson and Helen Hunt, but not a bad one at all

Memorable Quotes

Carol: Do you have any control over how creepy you can get?
Melvin: Yes, as a matter of fact, I do.

Melvin (to a group of depressed psychiatric patients): What if this is as good as it gets?

Melvin: How can you diagnose me as obsessive compulsive and then tell me I have a choice about barging in here?

Melvin: You made me want to be a better man.
Carol: That's maybe the best compliment of my life.
Melvin: Well, maybe I overshot a little, because I was aiming at just enough to keep you from walking out.

Carol: Do you want to dance?
Melvin: I've been thinking about that for a while.
Carol: [standing up] Well? Melvin: No.

Simon: If you stare at someone long enough, you start to see their humanity

Receptionist: How do you write women so well?
Melvin: I think of men and I take away reason and accountability.

Melvin: This is Carol the waitress, and this is Simon the fag.

Awards Won

Oscars (1998)

Best Actor
- Jack Nicholson

Best Actress
- Helen Hunt

Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards (1998)

Best Actor
- Jack Nicholson

Florida Film Critics Circle Awards (1998)

 Best Actress
- Helen Hunt

Golden Globes (1998)

 Best Motion Picture - Comedy/Musical

Golden Satellite Awards (1998)

Best Actress in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical
- Helen Hunt

Best Motion Picture - Comedy/Musical

National Board of Review, USA (1998)

NBR Award

Best Actor
- Jack Nicholson

NBR Award

Best Supporting Actor
- Greg Kinnear

Screen Actors Guild Awards (1998)

SAG Award

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role
- Helen Hunt

SAG Award

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role
- Jack Nicholson

Writers Guild of America (1998)

WGA Screen Awards

Best Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen
- Mark Andrus, James L. Brooks

Trailer

  Download from Sony Pictures

Recommended Links

 Official Site from Sony Pictures

 http://www.bomis.com/rings/asgoodasitgets/