Great Movie: ''As Good As It Gets''

Melvin Udall is not a nice man. We gather this from his first moments of introduction to us. He grabs a small, adorable dog and throws it down the garbage shute, while uttering a few choice words of meanness. With that one horrible act against Dogkind everywhere, we start a comedy........ ''As Good As It Gets'' walks the fine line of hard comedy and genuine pathos. There are times in this movie where it almost dares you to like and embrace it. The screenplay, by James L. Brooks and Mark Andros, has sharp observations about human behavior and the universal need to be loved, no matter how nasty and difficult the person is. Jim Brooks mines this territory with confidence, because, he is experienced in dealing with his movies the discomfort that sometimes comes with being a living, breathing human being. He co-created the legendary shows, ''The Mary Tyler Moore Show'', ''Rhoda'', ''Lou Grant'', and ''Taxi', while writing, directing, and producing ''Terms Of Endearment''---- another movie with tangled relationships mixed with tangled emotions. On ''As Good As It Gets'', he also does double duty as director. Which is good, because with his having such a beast as the main character, it takes the deft hand of the author to pilot the direction of the plot. Without him living the characters and their fears and triumphs personally, the whole intention of the movie could be lost in translation....... The plot is simple: three lonely human beings, as diverse in life as can be, find the common ground of love. The main plot involves Melvin Udall, a racist, homophobic, anti-women, anti-world, OCD, successful author. His routine in life is to be a professional nasty person. The public Melvin is hiding the private Melvin, who is a man easily hurt and looking for someone to understand him and to love him. Clearly, as the movie progresses, there is a good man lurking underneath all of the hostility, a man desperately in need. And, he finds that need in the second major character, Carol the waitress. She works in the coffee shop that Melvin goes to everyday. Carol is a worn-out victim of the world. She has a son who is always sick, although, the doctors she takes the kid to are of no help. She is single, lonely, in her desperate need to be loved and cared for. The third major character in the story is Simon, the gay artist who has the misfortune to live right across the hall from Melvin. Simon and his lifestyle are ripe targets for Melvin [it is also Simon who has the dog that Melvin discards to the trash bin] and Melvin is never shy of saying what is on his mind. Simon also is a victim, but of a prejudiced world that does not accept homosexuals. His parents disown him, for the most part. But, he finds his love in the world of art, not in a person. Soon, however, he is taken by a street hustler he has paid to pose for a new portrait he is painting. Simon is beaten up and loses the desire to work.......... James L. Brooks has set up the movie nicely. Separate stories that freely mingle with the central theme. There are much laughs up to this point. And, in a remarkable example of Brooks and his genius, touching moments involving human behavior settle in, along with the rollercoaster story of three lonely people. Naturally, this is a tricky area, a virtual landmine of possible miss-steps. It takes talented actors to steer the course for the rest of the movie. And, James L. Brooks has cast his actors well....... Greg Kinnear was just from the TV show ''Talk Soup'' when he signed on to play Simon. He had another movie under his belt, the poorly received remake of the Humphrey Bogart/ Audrey Hepburn/William Holden movie, ''Sabrina''. The updated version starred Harrison Ford and Julia Ormand. It was a forgettable retreat of the classic original. But, it did boast the presence of Kinnear. That movie showed he had real acting chops. Greg Kinnear brought depth and understanding to his role of Simon. When homosexuals are portrayed in movies, there is a real temptation for the actor to play the stereotype, all swishing and prancing. But, Kinnear [aided by a smart script] does not fall into predictable behavior. Along with the depth of the role, Greg Kinnear brings an enormous likability, which seems innate to him. You care about Simon and want him to find someone to love because he deserves to be loved. A strong supporting performance by Greg Kinnear that rightfully garnered him an Oscar nomination. [He lost to Robin Williams in ''Good Will Hunting'']......... Helen Hunt plays the waitress, Carol. Helen Hunt just has a few speeds to her talent, not much versatility. Which is fine for certain roles. And, her portrayal of Carol strikes all of the right notes. She is sassy, brassy, able to take charge. But, Hunt is also vulnerable, sad, emotionally stunted in the part. All of these ingredients add up to a tasty stew of acting choices that shine. I should also add that she does show a sexy side in the part, albeit, kinda covered in drabness. But, the resilience of Carol is the strongest impression that she makes. Her best moment happens early on, in the restaurant in which she works. Melvin has carelessly made a comment about her sick son. All of the action stops and a range of emotions flashes across Hunt's face. She is hurt, angry, indignant, and proud in these few seconds onscreen. And, then, she lets Melvin have it, full-barred. It is a marvelous moment later cited by critics as the moment she earned her Best Actress Oscar that year. For the rest of the film, Helen Hunt treats her Carol with weary optimism and curiosity, as she opens up her heart to Simon and the impossible-to- tolerant, Melvin......... And, now we come to Jack. Big Jack. He is such a beloved movie star that he only needs the one name, we all know when someone mentions ''Jack'' in a film. Nicholson plays Melvin Udall with his wonderful and unrivaled sense of dastardly behavior and warm moments of caring. Udall suffers from an intense desire to piss off the public and every opportunity. He does not care whom he offends, the man has no people filter. Except, Carol the waitress. We infer from the early parts of the story that Melvin deeply cares for Carol. Perhaps, he sees in the waitress the same wounded soul that he is. They are fellow travelers of the same emotional landscape----the walking and sad population. Melvin needs love, maybe, even more than he realizes. Beneath his venom is a man who wants to be understood and cared for. These feelings are at odds with the dominant Melvin, a man who takes on all comers and delights in the nasty, appalling front he puts out. It is a testament to the brilliance of Nicholson that he can make this character so appealing. We, almost against ourselves, root for him to find salvation, to find the better angels of his nature. Through great comic delivery and poignant moments, Jack Nicholson rightfully earned his Oscar for Best Actor......... The middle section of the movie involves a trip of the three principals. Carol and Simon get to know and care for each other as both of them try to break through the Melvin hard shell. Simon has medical bills that are choking him and he needs the emotional support of his new friends to confront his parents. But, his parents do not want to see him. At first, this deeply hurts Simon. Reaching into his hurt, Simon pulls out his independence, and the spirit of the artist is reawakened. Carol sees this and gains momentum and confidence in herself. She has recently had a big-time doctor [ wonderfully played by Harold Ramis] give her son the needed medical care he was deprived of---- and is shocked that the medical bills will be paid by Melvin. The obvious care in which Melvin goes about arranging the sick kid's welfare touches Carol and she begins to see Melvin in a new way beneath his anger and belligerence. And, in the film's very best scene, Melvin and Carol find themselves on a date in a fancy restaurant. The dialogue in this scene is quite sharp and crackling. The dinner conversation starts off in typical Melvin-form as he unkindly makes fun of Carol's dress. She instantly rises to leave as her Irish is up. But, Melvin talks her in to staying by promising a compliment to her. It is obvious by now in the film that Melvin and Carol should be together, if only he can shut up the Old Melvin and bring forth the New Melvin. And, in this fine moment, it does come forward in a wonderful confession. Melvin tells Carol his doctor prescribed pills for him--- basically, to control his moods and level out his hard-edged personality. But, Melvin explains that he doesn't like to take pills. He states that the day after a night she came to his apartment, he started taking the pills. Carol does not understand what this has to do with her. He replies, with deep feeling, ''You make me want be a better man.'' This stops Carol in her tracks. She is shocked and honored by his statement. Why this is a great scene is not just what Melvin said, but, the aftereffects of his declaration. He seems uncomfortable with what he said and reverts back to his Melvin self. Soon, she storms out, vowing never to talk with him again. The scene rings very true for the characters and their life. One minute, they are One. The next, they are back to battling.......... The final act of the movie involves the resolution of the characters and finding love. It all works superbly. The final scene earns its smile from the audience. But, there is also the question: will Melvin and Carol last, long-term?...........''As Good As It Gets'' is a comedy and a drama, a real human being picture. There are flaws and imperfections in the main characters. Just like in life. But, there are also quite touching moments to treasure. We know, in the back of our minds, where this movie may go by the end. Still, there is some doubt as to whether they will make the finish line. The message is of tolerance and understanding of those who may different from us........ Not a bad message to live by.