As Good as It Gets
1997 · Directed by James L. Brooks
Original language: English
- drama
- comedy
- romance
The story
A misanthropic author, a single mother and waitress, and a gay artist form an unlikely friendship after the artist is assaulted in a robbery.
What it’s like
Warm, bustling Manhattan interiors shot in clean, naturally lit frames: a sunlit apartment with pale walls, a crowded diner with bright fluorescents and steamy windows, a cramped kitchen where the light falls soft through a window. Camera work stays largely conventional and unfussy, with plenty of two-shots and close, talky compositions that let faces and timing carry the scene. The score is light and melodic, often a gentle piano-led wash under dialogue, and the city's street noise and restaurant clatter give the film a lived-in texture. The vibe is wry, bittersweet and affectionate, the sort of comfortable grown-up comedy that suits a rainy Sunday, a comfort rewatch, or an evening with a glass of wine. Its pacing is brisk and conversational, with jokes landing quickly and tender beats arriving without much warning. The emotional arc follows a prickly, isolated man and two people around him slowly, reluctantly letting each other in. Intensity is low: there is one sudden, brief burst of violence early on, with no gore, but otherwise the film is mostly crude-tongued banter, some ugly remarks, and frank adult talk. It is for viewers who enjoy character-driven romantic comedy with real sting and who don't mind a curmudgeon who is hard to like at first.
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