What if this is as good as it REALLY gets?

On Sunday the 10th of May, 2009 - LIFT Film Night headlined with another spectacle that left all those who attended well satisfied...

Ray de Bono shares his views on ‘As Good as it Gets’ (released in 1997). The plot is based in New York City with Melvin Udall (stared by Jack Nicholsons). Melvin is a cranky, obsessive-compulsive writer, who finds his life turned upside down when neighboring gay artist Simon is hospitalized and his dog is entrusted to his care. 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. Sounds pretty basic and dull, eh? But it’s anything but…


Jack Nicholson's role as Melvin Udall, a successful author of love stories is well chiseled. With gusto we see the unraveling of this obsessive convulsive disorder (OCD) ridden elderly gentlemen as he engages with his neighbours, and acquaintances. Engaging? And what engaging that was...


Love him or hate him Melvin is the centre of the attraction in the film. His walk, his peculiar washing habits, his freaky obsession with cleanliness - like using his plastic utensils at the restaurant table - are not easy to forget.


The film can be summarily described as a love story, though you may disagree at this over-simplification


Carol, a lonely waitress, single mum of a sick child meets Melvin, and tolerates him. This tolerance moves to closeness, and these otherwise impossible-to-bond individuals, well, just fall slowly for each other... But hey, this fall is anything but typical. Prepare yourselves for a couple of laughs, and if you are sensitive, or the touchy type, even sighs.


Melvin's character inherits many stereotypical ideas. His explicit racism, homophobia and funny (if not brutal) chauvinism combine to make him practically unbearable to undure in real life if not for the film audience, who are but willing observers. I cannot see Melvin's demanding role being played by anyone but Jack Nickolson. Cannot fathom how John Travolta, having been the first approached for Melvin's role by the producers, would have fitted anywhere close in this challenging post. Jack Nickolson makes the film.

If Melvin's words were blades, the film will end in a blood orgy.

Savor these...


Receptionist: How do you write women so well?

Melvin Udall: Easy. I think of a man, and I take away reason and accountability...

Simon Bishop (gay neighbor): I love you, Melvin.

Melvin Udall: I tell you, buddy, I'd be the luckiest man alive if that's what did it for me.

Melvin Udall: It's not true. Some have great stories, pretty stories that take place at lakes with boats and friends and noodle salad. Just no one in this car. But, a lot of people, that's their story. Good times, noodle salad. What makes it so hard is not that you had it bad, but that you're that pissed that so many others had it good.

Melvin Udall: Never, never, interrupt me, okay? Not if there's a fire, not even if you hear the sound of a thud from my home and one week later there's a smell coming from there that can only be a decaying human body and you have to hold a hanky to your face because the stench is so thick that you think you're going to faint. Even then, don't come knocking. Or, if it's election night, and you're excited and you wanna celebrate because some fudgepacker that you date has been elected the first queer president of the United States and he's going to have you down to Camp David, and you want someone to share the moment with. Even then, don't knock. Not on this door. Not for ANY reason. Do you get me, sweetheart?


Speechless. That is how I felt seeing this film. It is a remarkable combination of good acting, settings that are not far from our everyday settings, and a script to rival Faulty Towers or Black Adder at their very best.


Some friends seeing the film with me the last time criticized the fact the film appears to ridicule OCD, and makes mental health appear in a funny or disrespectful light. I find such insinuations utterly ridiculous. I dare ask, are we, erm... am I normal ?? What defines normal?? Is it IQ, is it physical well being, is it social postioning, appearance?

I frankly don't think the film attempts to or even can be accused of addressing this age old notion. Love it or hate it, mental health issues are portrayed in a burlesque fashion, and are but cherries on the cake, acting simply as the cheer leading-props supporting the ultimate plot, so no one should be offended after all.


The film's music is also outstanding. It uses a recording by Art Garfunkel of "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life", a Monty Python song from Life of Brian (1979). The original lyric, "Life's a piece of shit..." was changed to "Life's a counterfeit..." so that no one is offended : )

I recommend this as a 'must see' film. I have seen it at least 5 times. And will see it again and again in good company. It is worth every minute of it.


I was invited to share with the readers of this blog what hit me as a good message in this movie. I believe the film is a 'good feel' one. I doubt the producers did have any subtle meaning intended. They wanted a good film, and what a bloody good film it came out to be! But, thinking again, the best message I see is that love is able to grow in the most difficult of terrains, and where least expected. It only needs one ingredient: two people in need of acceptance and understanding.

(Sneak Preview…see this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOfoeOsvYmU )

‘…You make me wanna be a better man…’ Melvin Udall’s opening up to Carol… (my favorite quote)

Enjoy!
Ray de Bono