IMDb 7.7 1997 HD

As Good as It Gets

As Good as It Gets

1997
Comedy Drama Romance
139 min PG-13 USA
7.401 / 10
7.7 IMDB

A misanthropic author, a single mother and waitress, and a gay artist form an unlikely friendship after the artist is assaulted in a robbery.

Personnel // Cast & Crew

Director James L. Brooks / Ray Quiroz / William M. Connor / Aldric La'Auli Porter / Susan Perlman / Shari Hanger
Starring
Jack Nicholson / Helen Hunt / Greg Kinnear / Cuba Gooding Jr. / Shirley Knight / Jesse James / Yeardley Smith / Lupe Ontiveros

How Viewers Describe This Film

Common themes and sentiments

brilliant heartwarming challenging funny touching cynical complex memorable dramatic powerful touching character-driven

Reviews

I
Isabelle Moreau
May 14, 2026
4.5 / 5
4.5

This is a film that dares to be prickly, and in doing so, becomes utterly captivating. Jack Nicholson is magnificent as the misanthropic writer, a role that allows him to chew scenery with delicious abandon while still conveying…

A
Arthur Pendelton
May 14, 2026
4.0 / 5
4.0

A masterclass in character study, 'As Good as It Gets' throws us into the orbit of a man whose every interaction is laced with vitriol. Jack Nicholson’s portrayal is electrifying, a performance that commands attention even as it…

G
Genevieve Dubois
May 14, 2026
3.5 / 5
3.5

While 'As Good as It Gets' undeniably features powerhouse performances, particularly from Jack Nicholson and Helen Hunt, its journey towards sentimentality feels somewhat earned rather than inevitable. The film's exploration of characters on the fringes of societal acceptance…

M
Marcus Bellweather
May 14, 2026
4.0 / 5
4.0

This is a film built on the formidable talents of its lead actors, particularly Jack Nicholson, who seems to revel in the sheer cantankerousness of his character. The script, however, is the real star, weaving a narrative that…

E
Eleanor Vance
May 14, 2026
4.5 / 5
4.5

Jack Nicholson delivers a performance for the ages as a man so consumed by his own neuroses he's practically a caricature of misanthropy. Yet, 'As Good as It Gets' allows him, and us, to see the flicker of…

FAQs

The film strikes a distinctive tone, often described as a dark comedy or a romantic dramedy. It masterfully blends sharp, often biting, dialogue with moments of genuine warmth and emotional sincerity. Expect a narrative that isn't afraid to confront difficult aspects of human nature while ultimately offering a hopeful outlook on the possibility of change and connection.