Overview
A cranky writer's life is turned upside down by unexpected friendships and the chaos of caring for a dog.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Mild
- witty
- acerbic
- uncomfortable
- date night
- lazy sunday
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the smart dialogue and strong performances while finding the romantic-comedy formula and sentimentality somewhat conventional.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Melvin’s relationship with Carol, Simon, and Simon’s dog pressures his rigidly self-protective worldview to change.
Melvin and Carol’s attraction emerges through hostile banter, blunt honesty, and repeated clashes at the restaurant and beyond.
Simon’s dog is entrusted to Melvin after Simon’s hospitalization and becomes a daily link between Melvin, Simon, and Carol.
Melvin’s bigotry and cruel treatment of others are repeatedly exposed as obstacles to friendship, romance, and self-understanding.
Films like As Good as It Gets, and why
Terms of Endearment
shares a character-driven romantic comedy structure, sharp dialogue, emotional vulnerability, and gradual interpersonal transformation
The Odd Couple
shares an acerbic central personality, ensemble relationship drama, witty dialogue, and sentimental reconciliation
The Philadelphia Story
shares a warm romantic comedy tone, flawed protagonists, urban relationships, and emphasis on performance-driven dialogue
St. Vincent
shares a prickly outsider protagonist, unexpected friendship, and a balance of discomfort, humor, and tenderness
Movie Details
- Director
- James L. Brooks
- Release Date
- 1997-12-19
- Runtime
- 139 min
- Rating
- 7.4 / 10 (4261)
Cast
- Jack Nicholson
- Helen Hunt
- Greg Kinnear
- Cuba Gooding Jr.
- Shirley Knight
- Jesse James
- Yeardley Smith
- Lupe Ontiveros
- Skeet Ulrich
- Harold Ramis
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Sony Pictures Core Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand, Plex
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is As Good as It Gets about?
- A misanthropic novelist, a resilient waitress, and a vulnerable artist find an unlikely path from social friction to friendship and love.
- What is As Good as It Gets like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of As Good as It Gets as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is As Good as It Gets violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in As Good as It Gets as mild.
- What did critics think of As Good as It Gets?
- Critics broadly praised the smart dialogue and strong performances while finding the romantic-comedy formula and sentimentality somewhat conventional.
- Which films are like As Good as It Gets?
- Films with a similar feel include Terms of Endearment, The Odd Couple, The Philadelphia Story, and St. Vincent.
- How long is As Good as It Gets?
- As Good as It Gets runs 139 minutes.
- Where can I watch As Good as It Gets?
- In United States, As Good as It Gets streams on Sony Pictures Core Amazon Channel.
