As Good As It Gets

It may not get much better than this. Jack Nicholson (too many great roles to list here) won Best Actor for this role in 1998, and it still stands as one of his personal best. While I have been told by many that I resemble his character in this movie, it has no bearing on my high regard for the film. Enough said?

Helen Hunt (Twister, Castaway, and What Women Want) earned Best Actress honors for her role here. Can you name how many other stars have earned an Oscar for playing a Waitress? I thought so.

Even if this movie were just these two fine performances, it would be enough. But wait, there is more great, noteworthy, work to discuss.

Greg Kinnear (Sabrina, We Were Soldiers, and The Matador) was nominated for his supporting role but somehow did not win. Robin Williams did however that year? Was it perhaps because Kinnear's character is flagrantly, tragically, gay? Again, I vector off topic.

Cuba Gooding Jr. (A Few Good Men, Jerry Maquire, and What Dreams May Come) brings his now famous smirk into full power as Kinner's best friend and only defender.

And then there is the little dog, who really does carry this movie. Jill the Dog was wonderful. Why isn't there a category for Best Animal Performance?

This movie has almost everything. Big names. Great one-liners. Social taboos. Children. Animals. Characters you hate to love, and some you love to hate. Social commentary.

Does it really get much better than this? Why didn't it win Best Picture that year? Because Titanic did.

Watch it with someone who can't see how their OCD impacts others.