How old is melvin udall in as good as it gets

Carol Connelly : I'm so afraid you're about to say something awful. Melvin Udall : Don't be pessimistic, it's not your style. Here I go. Clearly a mistake. Melvin Udall : I've got this, what, ailment? My doctor, a shrink that I used to go to all the time, he says that in fifty or sixty percent of the cases, a pill really helps.

I hate pills. Very dangerous thing, pills. I'm using the word "hate" here, about pills. My compliment is, that night when you came over and told me that you would never Well, my compliment to you is, the next morning, I started taking the pills. Carol Connelly : I don't quite get how that's a compliment for me. Melvin Udall : You make me want to be a better man.

Carol Connelly : [stunned] That's maybe the best compliment of my life. Melvin Udall : Well, maybe I overshot a little, because I was aiming at just enough to keep you from walking out. Sign In.

Play trailer Comedy Drama Romance. Director James L. Mark Andrus story James L. Brooks screenplay. Top credits Director James L. See more at IMDbPro. Trailer As Good As It Gets. Photos Danielle Spencer who starred as Dee in the 70's television show "What's Happening!!

This is actually her real-life profession. The only film in which Jack Nicholson won an acting Oscar for his performance in a film which did not win Best Picture. An earlier version of the script was called "Old Friends". It was listed as one of the best unproduced screenplays by Movieline Magazine, and had Kevin Kline and Mike Newell attached at one point to star in and direct it, respectively. Brooks liked the area so much, he considered making a documentary about it.

Betty White , an animal rights activist, was offered the Shirley Knight Beverly Connelly role, but turned it down when she learned of how the dog would be mistreated in the movie. Uma Thurman was considered for the role of Carol, but the producers turned her down because she was too young. When Melvin and Carol are in the restaurant in Maryland, the singer in the background is Danielle Brisebois , perhaps most recognisable for having played Archie and Edith's niece Stephanie on All in the Family The song she is singing is Fallen, which was the love theme from Pretty Woman It has become a favorite in the UK for footballers, and even funerals.

The movie was originally called "Old Friends". Hans Zimmer suggested renaming it. Jack Nicholson felt that it was really important for his character to hold that map. John Cusack considered the role of Simon Bishop, but pulled out due to conflicts with writing, filming, and producing Grosse Pointe Blank Melanie Griffith was offered the role of Carol Connelly, and wanted to take the role, but was pregnant with Stella Banderas at the time. Bill Murray was considered for the role of Melvin Udall.

Shirley Knight and Jack Nicholson attended acting school together. Knight passed away on Nicholson's 83rd birthday April 22, The role of Melvin Udall was initially offered to John Travolta. The filmmakers wanted Carol to look like an Edgar Degas painting. Jack Nicholson helped create Melvin's wardrobe. He and costume designer Molly Maginnis wanted a "downtown" look. It was reduced to PG on appeal. In fact, their birthdays are 2 days apart in June Melvin has obsessive-compulsive disorder OCD.

His anxieties and fears lead to repetitive behavior. Features Yeardley Smith and James L. Brooks , who both work on The Simpsons ; and Maya Rudolph 's first speaking feature film role. As Scott wrote As Good as it Gets is loaded with great lines, and many are politically incorrect.

My personal favorite is when Carol says to Melvin, "When you first entered the restaurant, I thought you were handsome Writers James L. Brooks and Mark Andrus deserved one as well but had to settle with a nomination. Nicholson, Hunt and a clever script make this a memorable movie.

I agree that the romance between the older, self-absorbed, neurotic, OCD writer and the kindhearted, single-mother, tough-cookie, waitress never really works.

The story is about Melvin's growth as a human being and it would have worked just as well with them just being friends. Greg Kinnear does fine work as the gay neighbor Simon there's always a gay neighbor. Although the overly dramatic manner in which his storyline is handled seems dated now.

He plays a key role at the beginning of the movie but once the other three characters head out on that road trip to Baltimore he abruptly disappears from the story. I love the scene where he intimidates Melvin in the hallway of his apartment building. My grandmother has more attitude than you! One scene that never rings true for me is the moment where Carol runs through the rain to Melvin's apartment to tell him she will never sleep with him as repayment for providing great medical care for her sick son Spencer.

The script never fully explains her urgency. Eric, I disagree that the problems of this single mother with the sick kid seem forced. Of course she is on Medicaid or some other form of government assistance.

The movie never says her son is without any medical care before Melvin steps in. However, the quality of that care is where the big difference lies. Do you really think an overworked doctor at some crowded clinic is going to give a patient the same level of care that a high paid private physician will? It had the potential. The pieces were in place. It was sad to see the filmmakers draw back into story formulas.

One can imagine an independent filmmaker, with a smaller budget, taking dialogue and characters like these and following them into the wild blue yonder. One can imagine Brooks, Nicholson and Hunt doing it, too. That's why the film left me with such a sense of lost opportunities. Roger Ebert was the film critic of the Chicago Sun-Times from until his death in In , he won the Pulitzer Prize for distinguished criticism.

Jack Nicholson as Melvin Udall. Helen Hunt as Carol Connelly. Greg Kinnear as Simon Bishop. Cuba Gooding Jr. Roger Ebert December 22, Now streaming on:.

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