6.2 ~ #8

"As Good As It Gets" (1997)

From Netflix: "When acerbic, reclusive and obsessive-compulsive author Melvin Udall (Jack Nicholson) lets stressed-out single mom and waitress Carol Connelly (Helen Hunt) and gay neighbor Simon Bishop (Greg Kinnear) and his dog into his life, profound changes await them all in this touching dramedy. Nominated for seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Screenplay, the film won Oscars for Nicholson's and Hunt's heartfelt performances."

I love this movie.

I've seen it before, many times. I think the reason I've seen so few movies is because once I decide I love a movie, I will watch that same movie a dozen times in a week. Considering that, it's no wonder I hadn't had time to watch a bigger variety of movies.

In any case...

With a cast like this, it's hard for any movie to suck. Add to that a great story, and you've got gold. Jack Nicholson is phenomenal, as always. I don't think this guy has EVER sucked at anything EVER. Greg Kinnear is another one of those guys that is just so GREAT at everything he does, whether he's playing the douchebag, the daddy or the gay artist (like here) he always delivers. I don't personally like Helen Hunt too much, but I really LOVED her in this. And Cuba Gooding Jr. plays a tiny part, but he's good at it.

And the dog that plays Verdell is the bomb.

This is such a great movie. It's funny, it's sad, and it's HUMAN. It tears down walls and makes you see how the characters tick, and when you see all these people on such a real level, it makes their interactions even more interesting. It's got a fantastic message about tolerance, and it also tells you that if you take chances, you might surprise yourself. Definitely a must-see, and entertaining enough that after all these times I've seen it, I only know realized that it's over 2 hours long. Every movie on this list so far with the exception of the first has been at least 2 hours long. Yikes! Good thing with movies like this, you don't feel it. :)

Next up: another movie I can watch over and over, and have: "Babe".