As Good as It Gets (1997)
87%RT Audience Score: 86%
Awards & Nominations: Won 2 Oscars
38 wins & 54 nominations total
James L. Brooks and Jack Nicholson, doing what they do best, combine smart dialogue and flawless acting to squeeze fresh entertainment value out of the romantic-comedy genre
As Good as It Gets is the perfect movie for those who want to laugh, cry, and feel all the emotions in between. With Jack Nicholson and Helen Hunt leading the way, this romantic comedy is as good as it gets. Sure, some critics might say it’s too long or too formulaic, but who cares? When you’re watching Nicholson’s demonic novelist and Hunt’s Manhattan waitress fall in love, you’ll forget all about those nitpicky reviews. So grab some popcorn, settle in, and get ready for a wild ride. As good as it gets? More like as great as it gets!
Production Company(ies)
Universal Pictures, Wing Nut Films, Big Primate Pictures,
Distributor
TriStar Pictures, Sony Pictures Entertainment
Release Type
Theatrical
Filming Location(s)
Khoury’s Restaurant – 110 N. Marina Drive, Long Beach, California, USA
MPAA / Certificate
Rated PG-13 on appeal for strong language, thematic elements, nudity and a beating
Year of Release
1997
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:SDDS Dolby
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Aspect ratio:1.85 : 1
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Runtime:2h 18m
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Language(s):English
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Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Dec 19, 1997 Original
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 26, 2000
Genre(s)
Lgbtq+
Keyword(s)
starring Jack Nicholson, Helen Hunt, Greg Kinnear, Cuba Gooding Jr., Skeet Ulrich, Shirley Knight, directed by James L Brooks, written by Mark Andrus, James L Brooks, produced by James L Brooks, Bridget Johnson, Kristi Zea, romantic-comedy, LGBTQ+, box office performance, budget, reviewed by Duane Byrge, Anupama Chopra, Jason Bailey, Todd McCarthy, Geoff Andrew, Rick Groen, Grant Watson, Kelly Kessler, Michael Dequina, Sandra Contreras, PG-13, obsessive-compulsive disorder, Manhattan, waitress, writer, gay neighbor, dog, relationship, local diner, smart dialogue, flawless acting, mature adult entertainment, quotable, entertaining, stellar supporting cast, original screenplay, touching, predictable, good quotes, road trip, obvious, ill son, mother, gay painter, robbed and beaten, good performances, good chemistry, touching, romantic, predictable, obvious, good quotes, road trip, ill son, mother, gay painter, robbed and beaten, good performances, good chemistry, touching, romantic
Worldwide gross: $314,178,011
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $585,653,217
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 231
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 63,866,218
US/Canada gross: $148,478,011
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $276,775,019
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 223
US/Canada opening weekend: $12,606,928
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $23,500,333
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 571
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $50,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $93,204,043
Production budget ranking: 444
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $50,190,377
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): $442,258,797
ROI to date (est.): 308%
ROI ranking: 450
Helen Hunt – Carol Connelly
Greg Kinnear – Simon Bishop
Cuba Gooding Jr. – Frank Sachs
Skeet Ulrich – Vincent Lopiano
Shirley Knight – Beverly Connelly
Director(s)
James L. Brooks
Writer(s)
Mark Andrus, Mark Andrus, James L. Brooks
Producer(s)
James L. Brooks, Bridget Johnson, Kristi Zea
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
Won 2 Oscars
38 wins & 54 nominations total
Academy Awards
Oscar Nominees, Oscar Winners
All Critics (79) | Top Critics (26) | Fresh (67) | Rotten (12)
With terrific lead performances by Jack Nicholson as a demonic novelist and Helen Hunt as a Manhattan waitress, As Good as It Gets is as good as mature adult entertainment gets on the silver screen.
December 23, 2019
Duane Byrge
Hollywood Reporter
TOP CRITIC
This is the stuff of formula but director James L. Brooks and co-writer Mark Andrus elevate it with terrific writing.
August 28, 2018
Anupama Chopra
Film Companion
TOP CRITIC
On one hand, it’s Brooks’s film that most betrays his TV sitcom roots; it’s also one of his more ambitious works, packing in subplots and subjects by the handful-indicative of a filmmaker who seems to genuinely struggle with the confines of the genre.
January 2, 2018
Jason Bailey
Vice
TOP CRITIC
A sporadically funny romantic comedy with all the dramatic plausibility and tonal consistency of a TV variety show.
July 2, 2008
Todd McCarthy
Variety
TOP CRITIC
The trouble lies in the rambling narrative, Brooks’ cautious direction and the cosy tone which renders the whole thing reminiscent of an extended sitcom.
June 24, 2006
Geoff Andrew
Time Out
TOP CRITIC
Romance comedies definitely come better than this, although perhaps not lately.
April 12, 2002 | Rating: 3/4
Rick Groen
Globe and Mail
TOP CRITIC
One cannot exaggerate how much Helen Hunt’s work invests us in this film and its characters; not just Carol but everybody else with whom she comes into contact.
September 15, 2021 | Rating: 7/10
Grant Watson
Fiction Machine
Funny, but not a light comedy for youngsters.
January 2, 2011 | Rating: 4/5
Kelly Kessler
Common Sense Media
The greatest pleasures come from the acting.
March 29, 2009 | Rating: 3/4
Michael Dequina
TheMovieReport.com
The movie’s too long, and the direction is sometimes slack — but the script is crammed with withering ripostes, ably delivered by Nicholson and Hunt.
September 3, 2008 | Rating: 2.5/4
Sandra Contreras
TV Guide
Not only one of the best romantic comedies of the year, but one of the best films in ages.
December 30, 2006 | Rating: 3.5/4
Garth Franklin
Dark Horizons
Both funny and sad, the comedy was in the vein of Brooks’ Terms of Endearment, except it was more eccentric and nuttier and in moments genuinely touching due to strong chemistry between Jack Nicholson and Helen Hunt.
February 24, 2006 | Rating: B-
Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com…
Plot
New York City. Melvin Udall, a cranky, bigoted, obsessive-compulsive writer, finds his life turned upside down when neighboring gay artist Simon is hospitalized 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.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
“As Good as It Gets” stars Jack Nicholson, Helen Hunt, and Greg Kinnear, who all received Oscar nominations for their performances in the film.
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