Melvin is a famous writer and only between the walls of his own apartment he feels save. He lives with smaller and bigger values which might feel ridiculous to others but to him his obsessions are a way to survive in a world that frightens him for a reason we don't know. One thing we do know is he is talented. For sure he has more than just the skill of writing.
His neighbor's little dog Verdell is annoying and does pee everywhere in the hallway and it's here where the story starts. An annoying dirty, little rat peeing in the hallway and Melvin taking care of it.
For certain occasions Melvin leaves his apartment. His lunch is one of them. Who knows Melvin is aware he is not like other people and has issues. The same table in the lunchroom, bringing along his own fork and knife and asking for the same waitress are proof of it. Although many say Melvin is rude (is he or is he just straight, says what he thinks like so many autistic people do?) the waitress and the people surrounding him are too. It's interesting how others are allowed to have an excuse for their behavior but Melvin can not.
One thing Melvin does not is bragging about being famous and buying people with his money although the, to me very rude, waitress Carol accuses him of it when he sends a doctor over to have a look at her sick child. How ungrateful a person can be.
Let's make this clear. It's not Melvin who made a single mother out of her, it's not his fault the child is sick and she cannot afford a doctor. It's easier to blame others for your own failures than to accept help given by someone who doesn't care about money, is not abusive, and has one wish only which is she gets back at work (something she says she cannot because her child is sick which doesn't make sense to me since her mother helps her out).
When neighbor Simon, a painter, is robbed and beaten up he not only loses his friends but money and apartment as well. It's clear Simon has no friends and his agent Frank threatens Melvin to take care of the little rat and later at Simon as well. Why exactly the agent is described as a good friend is a miracle to me. Frank knows what Simon is worth and if you ask me a good friend should advise and help you out. How come Frank didn't advise Simon to take health insurance? How come this "good friend" had time to party but cannot help out if money, a home is needed? If you ask me "good friend" Frank is a lousy friend. All he does is threatening Melvin again, telling him to drive Simon to his parents to beg them for money. Which good friend does something like that? Simon has terrible parents, an agent who's clearly not a friend and if it comes to it this once wealthy man ends up alone.
Although it is Melvin who takes care of the dog, drives Simon to his parents up and down, and even takes him in, there's not a single word of respect for this man who is forced to change his complete lifestyle because of others. It is a miracle to me why not. If it comes to character, honestly, keeping promises Melvin for sure belongs to the good guys. It's not good friend Frank who helps Simon to recover and back into the saddle, neither big mouth Carol does. They are too busy with their own lives, a right Melvin apparently doesn't have.
No matter how they all put it, it's Melvin who gives the helping hand without asking anything back in return. How many people would do that? How many of those not suffering from extreme fears would? I think we all know the answer. Next time we see someone for the enemy and start accusing we better question ourselves first. Why is it we point at others, only see the bad in them but not our own failures, strange habits, rudeness perhaps? The savioursnot always look like thee one we have in mind but the question is if that matters. This person can still help out. Trying to respect the such a person the way he is isn't misplaced. What if this person is the only one, this is as good as it gets?
Film: As good as it gets - USA 1997
Melvin: Jack Nicholson (writer)
Simon: Greg Kinnaer (painter)
Carol: Helen Hunt (waitress)
I saw that movie. And I always like to see her again. The role of Jack Nicholson as always is great. But it seems to me that she's trying to buy the waitress's favors so she can go back to waitressing so MELVIN can continue her habits. I don't think I helped the boy by being a good man and doing a good deed. Although in the end it is a good job that was not his first intention.