Editing As Good as It Gets

{{Short description|1997 film by James L. Brooks}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2025}}
{{Other uses}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2015}}
{{Infobox film
| image          = As good as it gets.jpg
| alt            = Jack Nicholson, portraying as Melvin Udall, seen wearing sunglasses looks upward smiling. The top headline reads "Brace Yourself for Melvin". Between the film's title and addition credits, another tagline reads "A comedy from the heart that goes for the throat."
| caption        = Theatrical release poster
| director       = [[James L. Brooks]]
| screenplay     = {{Plainlist|
* [[Mark Andrus]]
* James L. Brooks
}}
| story          = Mark Andrus
| producer       = {{Plainlist|
* James L. Brooks
* Bridget Johnson
* Kristi Zea
}}
| starring       = {{Plainlist|<!-- per poster block-->
* [[Jack Nicholson]]
* [[Helen Hunt]]
* [[Greg Kinnear]]
* [[Cuba Gooding Jr.]]
* [[Skeet Ulrich]]
* [[Shirley Knight]]
}}
| cinematography = [[John Bailey (cinematographer)|John Bailey]]
| editing        = [[Richard Marks]]
| music          = [[Hans Zimmer]]
| studio         = {{Plainlist|
* [[TriStar Pictures]]
* [[Gracie Films]]
}}
| distributor    = [[Sony Pictures Releasing]]
| released       = {{Film date|1997|12|6|[[Regency Village Theatre]]|1997|12|25|United States}}
| runtime        = 139 minutes
| country        = United States
| language       = English
| budget         = $50 million<ref name="boxoffice">[https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=asgoodasitgets.htm "Box office statistics for ''As Good as It Gets'' (1997)"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190714112526/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=asgoodasitgets.htm |date=July 14, 2019 }} Box Office Mojo. Retrieved June 11, 2010.</ref>
| gross          = $314.1 million<ref name="boxoffice" />
}}

'''''As Good as It Gets''''' is a 1997 American [[romantic comedy]] film directed by [[James L. Brooks]] from a screenplay he co-wrote with [[Mark Andrus]]. It stars [[Jack Nicholson]] as a misanthropic, bigoted  and [[Obsessive–compulsive disorder|obsessive–compulsive]] novelist, [[Helen Hunt]] as a single mother with a chronically ill son, and [[Greg Kinnear]] as a gay artist.

''As Good as It Gets'' premiered at the [[Regency Village Theatre]] on December 6, 1997, and was released theatrically in the United States on Christmas Day. A critical and box office hit, it grossed $314.1 million on a $50 million budget. At the [[70th Academy Awards]], the film was nominated for 7 awards, including [[Academy Award for Best Picture|Best Picture]]. Nicholson won for [[Academy Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]] and Hunt for [[Academy Award for Best Actress|Best Actress]], making it the most recent film to win both of the lead-acting awards. It is ranked 140th on ''[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]]'' magazine's "The 500 Greatest Movies of All Time" list.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.empireonline.com/500/71.asp |title=Empire Features |work=Empire |access-date=October 17, 2009 |archive-date=October 14, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121014200915/https://www.empireonline.com/500/71.asp |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Plot==
[[Misanthropy|Misanthropic]] New York City best-selling romance novelist Melvin Udall has [[obsessive–compulsive disorder]] (OCD). He uses soap bars only once to wash his hands, uses paper towels to touch public restroom faucets and door handles, avoids stepping on sidewalk cracks, has rituals with switches and locks, sticks to rigid routines and always eats breakfast at the same table in the same restaurant while bringing his own plastic flatware. Carol Connelly is the only server at the restaurant who can tolerate his uncouth behavior.

Melvin's apartment neighbor, gay artist Simon Bishop, starts working with a new model, Vincent Lopiano. Vincent uses the opportunity to case Simon's apartment and give entry to his friends, who assault and nearly kill Simon during the robbery. Simon's agent, Frank Sachs, intimidates Melvin into caring for Simon's pet dog Verdell, a [[Griffon Bruxellois]], while Simon is hospitalized. Although Melvin initially does not enjoy caring for the dog, he becomes emotionally attached to it. When Simon is released from the hospital, Melvin tolerates a neighborly relationship with Simon so he can continue to see Verdell.

Melvin's compulsive need for routine and aversion to change is aggravated when Carol decides to work closer to her home in Brooklyn to be more accessible for her acutely [[asthma]]tic son, Spencer. Unable to adjust to a different waitress, Melvin arranges to pay for Spencer's considerable medical expenses for at-home care―if Carol returns to the restaurant. While Carol is overwhelmed by Melvin’s generosity, thanking him profusely, she is suspicious of his motives, declaring emphatically that she will never have sex with him. A humiliated Melvin admonishes her that she, not he, has made the situation personal.

Meanwhile, Simon’s injuries, lack of medical insurance, and high medical bills cause him to go bankrupt and fall into depression. Frank persuades him to go to Baltimore to ask his estranged parents for money. Bullied by Frank, Melvin reluctantly agrees to take recuperating Simon to Baltimore. Frank lends Melvin his [[Saab 900#Variants|Saab 900 convertible]] for the trip. Irrationally fearing Simon may make a pass at him (his cover story), Melvin invites Carol along on the trip, reminding her that she owes him a favor, and she reluctantly accepts. Relationships develop among the three on the trip as Simon discusses the root of his estrangement with his parents, who cannot accept his homosexuality; Carol commiserates; and Melvin’s acerbic remarks gradually become more sympathetic.

Once in Baltimore, Carol persuades Melvin to take her out for dinner. Melvin's conversation during the dinner initially flatters her—he tells her that her “no sex oath” made him start taking medication to become a better man. When Carol presses Melvin to admit that he invited her on the trip because he had feelings for her, however, an embarrassed and fumbling Melvin again clumsily deflects, awkwardly responding that he invited her along to maybe have sex with Simon to cure his homosexuality. Upset at the implication that her sexual favors are for sale, Carol abruptly leaves. She goes to Simon’s hotel room for consolation, and their emotional intimacy rekindles his creative desire to paint. He sketches Carol, nearly nude, making her feel her femininity appreciated in a nonsexual way. With confidence inspired by Carol, Simon briefly reconnects with his mother, without asking her for money, telling her that he will be fine.

After returning to New York, Carol tells Melvin that he disparages her and she does not want him in her life anymore. Since Simon is still broke and his apartment has been sublet, Melvin arranges for Simon to stay in his spare bedroom. On learning of Melvin’s enormous gesture and sign of growth, Carol regrets her harshness and calls Melvin to apologize. The relationship between Melvin and Carol remains complicated until Simon persuades Melvin to declare his love for her. Melvin goes to see Carol, who hesitantly agrees to try and establish a relationship with him. She is encouraged by her mother, who declares that no relationship is perfect. The film ends with Melvin and Carol walking together. As he opens the door at an early morning pastry shop for Carol, he realizes that he has stepped on a crack in the pavement, to no apparent unease. They walk into the shop as they keep conversing in a manner reminiscent of a couple.

==Cast==
{{Cast listing|
* [[Jack Nicholson]] as Melvin Udall
* [[Helen Hunt]] as Carol Connelly
* [[Greg Kinnear]] as Simon Bishop
* [[Cuba Gooding Jr.]] as Frank Sachs
* [[Skeet Ulrich]] as Vincent Lopiano
* [[Shirley Knight]] as Beverly Connelly
* [[Yeardley Smith]] as Jackie Simpson
* [[Lupe Ontiveros]] as Nora Manning
* [[Jesse James (actor)|Jesse James]] as Spencer "Spence" Connelly
* [[Bibi Osterwald]] as Neighbor Woman
* [[Harold Ramis]] as Dr. Martin Bettes
* [[Lawrence Kasdan]] as Dr. Green
* [[Julie Benz]] as Receptionist
* [[Shane Black]] as Brian, Cafe 24 manager
* [[Leslie Stefanson]] as Cafe 24 Waitress
* [[Tom McGowan]] as Maitre D'
* [[Brian Doyle-Murray]] as Handyman
* [[Jamie Kennedy]] as Street Hustler
* [[Missi Pyle]] as Cafe 24 Waitress
* [[Wood Harris]] as Cafe 24 Busboy
* [[Maya Rudolph]] as Policewoman
* [[Todd Solondz]] as Man on Bus
* Jill as dog Verdell<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1212803/|title=Jill the Dog|website=IMDb|access-date=February 26, 2023|archive-date=February 26, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230226083757/https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1212803/|url-status=live}}</ref>
}}

==Production==
In 1996, [[James L. Brooks]] flew [[Geoffrey Rush]] from [[Sydney]] to Los Angeles to audition for the part of Simon Bishop, and offered him the role, but Rush declined it.<ref>Douglas Aiton, "10 Things You Didn't Know About Geoffrey Rush", ''Weekend Australian Magazine'', 4–5 September 2004, p. 12</ref> [[Betty White]] was offered a role in the film but she declined, due to a scene in the film where a dog is thrown into a trash chute.<ref>{{Cite web|url = https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a307179/betty-white-turned-down-good-as-it-gets/|title = Betty White turned down 'Good as It Gets'|website = [[Digital Spy]]|date = March 4, 2011|access-date = October 14, 2021|archive-date = October 28, 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211028170930/https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a307179/betty-white-turned-down-good-as-it-gets/|url-status = live}}</ref> [[Tony Shalhoub]] vied for the role of Simon Bishop, which eventually went to Greg Kinnear.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/06/26/movies/at-the-movies.html | title=At the Movies | work=The New York Times | date=June 26, 1998 | last1=Weinraub | first1=Bernard }}</ref>

[[Owen Wilson]] served as associate producer, one of his first jobs in Hollywood.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Longsdorf |first=Amy |date=14 February 1999 |title=Owen Wilson Carves a Bigger Niche with 'Rushmore' Script |work=[[The Morning Call]] |url=https://www.mcall.com/news/mc-xpm-1999-02-14-3238705-story.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220831133316/https://www.mcall.com/news/mc-xpm-1999-02-14-3238705-story.html |archive-date=August 31, 2022 |access-date=August 31, 2022 }}</ref>

[[Jack Nicholson]] and Brooks clashed on set regarding Nicholson's performance of Melvin, leading to a production halt for the two to find the correct tone for the character.<ref>{{Cite podcast |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpJg8YHc9AI |title=James L. Brooks #128 |website=Kevin Pollak’s Chat Show |publisher=[[Earwolf]] |last=Pollak |first=Kevin |date=September 25, 2011 |time=1:23:19 |access-date=August 31, 2022 |archive-date=August 31, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220831133315/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpJg8YHc9AI |url-status=live }}</ref>

The paintings were created for the film by New York City artist Billy Sullivan.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmovie.com/movie/as-good-as-it-gets-v158803|title=As Good as It Gets (1997) - James L. Brooks, James A. Brooks &#124; Synopsis, Characteristics, Moods, Themes and Related &#124; AllMovie|via=www.allmovie.com|access-date=April 28, 2020|archive-date=June 19, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180619112932/https://www.allmovie.com/movie/as-good-as-it-gets-v158803|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Soundtrack==
{{Infobox album
| name       = As Good as It Gets
| type       = soundtrack
| artist     = [[Hans Zimmer]] and various artists
| cover      =
| alt        =
| released   = January 13, 1998
| recorded   =
| venue      =
| studio     = [[Sony Pictures Studios]], Culver City, California; [[Remote Control Productions (American company)|Media Ventures]], Santa Monica, California
| genre      = [[Compilation album|Compilation]]
| length     = 54:23
| label      = [[Columbia Records|Columbia]]
| producer   = Adam Smalley, Hans Zimmer
| prev_title =
| prev_year  =
| next_title =
| next_year  =
}}
The soundtrack features instrumental pieces composed by [[Hans Zimmer]] and songs by various artists. Zimmer's work was nominated for the [[Academy Award for Best Original Score|Academy Award for Best Original Score – Musical or Comedy]].

==Reception==
===Box office===
''As Good as It Gets'' was a box office hit, opening at number three at the box office (behind ''[[Titanic (1997 film)|Titanic]]'' and ''[[Tomorrow Never Dies]]'') with $12.6 million,<ref>{{cite news |last=Wilson |first=Jeff |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102407881/scream-2-losing-its-voice-at-box/ |title='Scream 2' losing its voice at box office |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220613024916/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102407881/scream-2-losing-its-voice-at-box/ |date=December 30, 1997 |access-date=June 13, 2022 |archive-date=June 13, 2022 |page=8 |newspaper=[[Lebanon Daily News|The Daily News]] |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |url-status=live}} {{Open access}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://boxofficemojo.com/weekend/chart/?yr=1997&wknd=52&p=.htm|title=Weekend Box Office Results for December 26–28, 1997|website=Box Office Mojo|access-date=July 6, 2009|archive-date=July 23, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090723152941/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/chart/?yr=1997&wknd=52&p=.htm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/77655356/top-10-movies-for-the-weekend-of/|title=Top 10 movies for the weekend of December 26–28|date=January 2, 1998|page=23|work=[[The Times of Northwest Indiana]]|publication-place=[[Munster, Indiana]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|access-date=May 14, 2021|archive-date=May 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210515013952/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/77655356/top-10-movies-for-the-weekend-of/|url-status=live}}</ref> and eventually earning over $148 million domestically and $314 million worldwide.<ref name="boxoffice" /> It is Jack Nicholson's second-highest-earning film, behind ''[[Batman (1989 film)|Batman]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=batman.htm|title=Batman (1989)|website= [[Box Office Mojo]] |access-date=July 6, 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090611040540/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=batman.htm| archive-date= June 11, 2009 |url-status = live}}</ref>

=== Critical reception ===
''[[Chicago Reader]]'' film critic [[Jonathan Rosenbaum]] wrote that what director James L. Brooks "manages to do with [the characters] as they struggle mightily to connect with one another is funny, painful, beautiful, and basically truthful—a triumph for everyone involved."<ref>{{cite web | last=Rosenbaum | first=Jonathan | title=As Good as It Gets | url=http://onfilm.chicagoreader.com/movies/capsules/15960_AS_GOOD_AS_IT_GETS.html | work=Chicago Reader | date=December 22, 1997 | access-date=June 25, 2018 | archive-date=February 20, 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090220184351/http://onfilm.chicagoreader.com/movies/capsules/15960_AS_GOOD_AS_IT_GETS.html | url-status=live }}</ref>

Praise for the film was not uniform among critics. While [[Roger Ebert]] gave the film three stars (out of four), he called the film a "compromise, a film that forces a smile onto material that doesn't wear one easily," writing that the film drew "back to story formulas," but had good dialogue and performances.<ref>{{cite web | first=Roger | last=Ebert | title=As Good as It Gets | work=RogerEbert.com | publisher=Ebert Digital LLC | url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/as-good-as-it-gets-1997 | date=December 22, 1997 | access-date=June 25, 2018 | archive-date=June 25, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180625161233/https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/as-good-as-it-gets-1997 | url-status=live }}</ref> ''[[The Washington Post]]'' critic Desson Howe gave a generally negative review of the film, writing that it "gets bogged down in sentimentality, while its wheels spin futilely in life-solving overdrive."<ref>{{cite news | last=Howe | first=Desson | title='As Good as It Gets': Saving the Worst for Last | newspaper=The Washington Post | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/longterm/movies/videos/asgoodasitgetshowe.htm | date=December 23, 1997 | access-date=June 25, 2018 | archive-date=March 30, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180330132506/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/longterm/movies/videos/asgoodasitgetshowe.htm | url-status=live }}</ref>

Review aggregator [[Rotten Tomatoes]] reports that 86% of professional critics gave the film a positive review based on 85 reviews, with an average rating of 7.30/10. The consensus states that "James L. Brooks and Jack Nicholson, doing what they do best, combine smart dialogue and flawless acting to squeeze fresh entertainment value out of the romantic-comedy genre."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://rottentomatoes.com/m/as_good_as_it_gets/|title=As Good as It Gets|publisher=[[Fandango Media]]|website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|access-date=May 6, 2024|archive-date=February 14, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240214152152/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/as_good_as_it_gets|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Metacritic]] gave the film a score of 67 out of 100, based on reviews from 30 critics, indicating generally favorable reviews.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/video/titles/asgoodasitgets|title=As Good as It Gets|publisher=[[CBS]]|website=[[Metacritic]]|access-date=June 25, 2018|archive-date=June 29, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100629152330/http://www.metacritic.com/video/titles/asgoodasitgets|url-status=live}}</ref> Audiences polled by [[CinemaScore]] gave the film an average grade of "A-" on an A+ to F scale.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Home |url=https://www.cinemascore.com/ |access-date=2025-05-02 |website=CinemaScore |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Accolades==
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|-
! Award
! Category
! Nominee(s)
! Result
! {{Ref heading}}
|-
| rowspan="7"| [[70th Academy Awards|Academy Awards]]
| [[Academy Award for Best Picture|Best Picture]]
| [[James L. Brooks]], Bridget Johnson, and [[Kristi Zea]]
| {{nom}}
| align="center" rowspan="7"| <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1998 |title=The 70th Academy Awards (1998) Nominees and Winners |access-date=November 19, 2011 |work=Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences |publisher=AMPAS |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141109213426/http://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1998 |archive-date=November 9, 2014}}</ref>
|-
| [[Academy Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]]
| [[Jack Nicholson]]
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Academy Award for Best Actress|Best Actress]]
| [[Helen Hunt]]
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor|Best Supporting Actor]]
| [[Greg Kinnear]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay|Best Original Screenplay]]
| [[Mark Andrus]] and James L. Brooks
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Academy Award for Best Film Editing|Best Film Editing]]
| [[Richard Marks]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Academy Award for Best Original Score|Best Original Score]]
| [[Hans Zimmer]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[ALMA Award]]s
| Outstanding Actress in a Feature Film
| [[Lupe Ontiveros]]
| {{nom}}
| align="center"| 
|-
| [[American Cinema Editors|American Cinema Editors Awards]]
| [[American Cinema Editors Award for Best Edited Feature Film – Comedy or Musical|Best Edited Feature Film]]
| Richard Marks
| {{nom}}
| align="center"| 
|-
| rowspan="2"| [[American Comedy Awards#1998 awards|American Comedy Awards]]
| Funniest Actor in a Motion Picture (Leading Role)
| Jack Nicholson
| {{won}}
| align="center" rowspan="2"| 
|-
| Funniest Actress in a Motion Picture (Leading Role)
| Helen Hunt
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Casting Society of America#Artios Awards|Artios Awards]]
| [[Artios Award for Outstanding Achievement in Casting - Big Budget Feature (Comedy)|Best Casting for Feature Film – Comedy]]
| Francine Maisler
| {{nom}}
| align="center"| <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.castingsociety.com/awards/artios/1998 |title=Nominees/Winners |publisher=[[Casting Society of America]] |accessdate=January 6, 2019 |archive-date=August 16, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180816125851/http://www.castingsociety.com/awards/artios/1998 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="2"| [[4th Annual Blockbuster Entertainment Awards|Blockbuster Entertainment Awards]]
| Favorite Actor – Video
| Jack Nicholson
| {{nom}}
| align="center" rowspan="2"| <ref>{{cite web | date =  December 17, 1997 | title = Blockbuster Entertainment Awards Nominees Announced | url = http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/blockbuster-entertainment-awards-nominees-announced-77915327.html | publisher = [[Blockbuster Entertainment]] | via = [[PR Newswire]] | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150214050940/http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/blockbuster-entertainment-awards-nominees-announced-77915327.html | archive-date = 2015-02-14 | url-status = dead| access-date = 5 October 2018 }}</ref>
|-
| Favorite Actress – Video
| Helen Hunt
| {{won}}
|-
| [[BMI Film & TV Awards]]
| BMI Film Music Award
| Hans Zimmer
| {{won}}
| align="center"| 
|-
| rowspan="6"| [[Chicago Film Critics Association Awards 1997|Chicago Film Critics Association Awards]]
| colspan="2"| [[Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Film|Best Film]]
| {{nom}}
| align="center" rowspan="6"| <ref>{{cite web |url=https://chicagofilmcritics.org/awards-blog/archives |title=1988-2013 Award Winner Archives |website=[[Chicago Film Critics Association]] |date=January 2013 |access-date=August 24, 2021}}</ref>
|-
| [[Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Director|Best Director]]
| James L. Brooks
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]]
| Jack Nicholson
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Actress|Best Actress]]
| Helen Hunt
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actor|Best Supporting Actor]]
| Greg Kinnear
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Original Screenplay|Best Original Screenplay]]
| Mark Andrus and James L. Brooks
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Chlotrudis Society for Independent Film|Chlotrudis Awards]]
| Best Actress
| Helen Hunt
| {{nom}}
| align="center"| <ref>{{cite web |url=https://chlotrudis.org/awards/past-awards/1998-4th-annual-awards/ |title=4th Annual Chlotrudis Awards |website=[[Chlotrudis Society for Independent Films]] |access-date=April 23, 2022 |archive-date=February 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203154012/https://chlotrudis.org/awards/past-awards/1998-4th-annual-awards/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="2"| [[3rd Critics' Choice Awards|Critics' Choice Awards]]
| colspan="2"| [[Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Picture|Best Picture]]
| {{nom}}
| align="center" rowspan="2"| <ref>{{cite web | title = The BFCA Critics' Choice Awards :: 1997 | publisher = Broadcast Film Critics Association | url = http://www.bfca.org/ccawards/1997.php | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081212034404/http://www.bfca.org/ccawards/1997.php | url-status = dead | archive-date = December 12, 2008 | access-date = January 7, 2014}}</ref>
|-
| [[Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]]
| Jack Nicholson
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Czech Lion Awards]]
| Best Foreign Language Film
| James L. Brooks
| {{nom}}
| align="center"| <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ceskylev.cz/cz/1998/nominace |title=1998 Czech Film Awards |website=[[Czech Lion Awards]] |access-date=August 24, 2021 |archive-date=August 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210824171507/http://www.ceskylev.cz/cz/1998/nominace |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| [[Dallas–Fort Worth Film Critics Association Awards 1997|Dallas–Fort Worth Film Critics Association Awards]]
| colspan="2"| [[Dallas–Fort Worth Film Critics Association Award for Best Film|Best Film]]
| {{nom}}
| align="center"| 
|-
| [[50th Directors Guild of America Awards|Directors Guild of America Awards]]
| [[Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directing – Feature Film|Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures]]
| James L. Brooks
| {{nom}}
| align="center"| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dga.org/Awards/History/1990s/1997.aspx?value=1997|title=50th DGA Awards|website=[[Directors Guild of America Awards]]|access-date=July 5, 2021}}</ref>
|-
| [[4th Empire Awards|Empire Awards]]
| [[Empire Award for Best Actress|Best Actress]]
| rowspan="2"| Helen Hunt
| {{nom}}
| align="center"| <ref name="location">{{cite web |url=http://www.empireonline.co.uk/features/awards99/index.html |title=1999 Empire Awards |work=[[Empireonline.co.uk]] |year=1999 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000816064656/http://www.empireonline.co.uk/features/awards99/index.html |archive-date=August 16, 2000 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
| [[Florida Film Critics Circle Awards 1997|Florida Film Critics Circle Awards]]
| [[Florida Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actress|Best Actress]]
| {{won}}
| align="center"| <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.floridafilmcritics.com/2013/11/16/1997-ffcc-award-winners/ |title=1997 FFCC AWARD WINNERS |website=[[Florida Film Critics Circle]] |access-date=August 24, 2021 |archive-date=January 10, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140110102833/http://www.floridafilmcritics.com/2013/11/16/1997-ffcc-award-winners/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| [[GLAAD Media Award]]s
| colspan="2"| [[GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Film – Wide Release|Outstanding Film – Wide Release]]
| {{nom}}
| align="center"| 
|-
| rowspan="6"| [[55th Golden Globe Awards|Golden Globe Awards]]
| colspan="2"| [[Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy|Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy]]
| {{won}}
| align="center" rowspan="6"| <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.goldenglobes.com/film/good-it-gets |title=As Good as It Gets – Golden Globes |website=[[HFPA]] |access-date=July 5, 2021 |ref={{harvid|HFPA|1998}} |archive-date=May 24, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170524133003/http://www.goldenglobes.com:80/film/good-it-gets |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| [[Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy|Best Actor – Musical or Comedy]]
| Jack Nicholson
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy|Best Actress – Musical or Comedy]]
| Helen Hunt
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture|Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture]]
| Greg Kinnear
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Golden Globe Award for Best Director|Best Director]]
| James L. Brooks
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Golden Globe Award for Best Screenplay|Best Screenplay]]
| Mark Andrus and James L. Brooks
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Motion Picture Sound Editors#Golden Reel Awards|Golden Reel Awards]]
| [[Golden Reel Award for Outstanding Achievement in Sound Editing – Music Score for Feature Film|Best Sound Editing – Music (Domestic and Foreign)]]
| Zigmund Gron
| {{nom}}
| align="center"| 
|-
| colspan="3"| [[Goldene Leinwand|Golden Screen Awards]]
| {{won}}
| align="center"| 
|-
| [[Japan Academy Film Prize]]
| colspan="2"| [[Japan Academy Film Prize for Outstanding Foreign Language Film|Outstanding Foreign Language Film]]
| {{nom}}
| align="center"| 
|-
| [[Jupiter Award (film award)#21st Jupiter Award / 1999|Jupiter Awards]]
| Best International Actor
| rowspan="3"| Jack Nicholson
| {{won}}
| align="center"| 
|-
| [[London Film Critics Circle Awards 1998|London Film Critics Circle Awards]]
| [[London Film Critics' Circle Award for Actor of the Year|Actor of the Year]]
| {{won}}
| align="center"| 
|-
| rowspan="2"| [[1997 Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards|Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards]]
| [[Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]]
| {{Runner-up}}
| align="center" rowspan="2"| <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lafca.net/Years/1997.php |title=The Annual 23rd Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards |website=[[Los Angeles Film Critics Association]] |access-date=August 24, 2021}}</ref>
|-
| [[Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Actress|Best Actress]]
| rowspan="2"| Helen Hunt
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[1998 MTV Movie Awards|MTV Movie Awards]]
| [[MTV Movie Award for Best Actor in a Movie|Best Female Performance]]
| {{nom}}
| align="center"| 
|-
| rowspan="3"| [[National Board of Review Awards 1997|National Board of Review Awards]]
| colspan="2"| [[National Board of Review: Top Ten Films|Top Ten Films]]
| {{draw|2nd Place}}
| align="center" rowspan="3"| <ref>{{cite web |url=https://nationalboardofreview.org/award-years/1997/ |title=1997 Award Winners |website=[[National Board of Review]] |access-date=July 5, 2021 |archive-date=May 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210528071255/https://nationalboardofreview.org/award-years/1997/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| [[National Board of Review Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]]
| Jack Nicholson
| {{won}}
|-
| [[National Board of Review Award for Best Supporting Actor|Best Supporting Actor]]
| Greg Kinnear
| {{won}}
|-
| rowspan="11"| Online Film & Television Association Awards
| Best Picture
| rowspan="2"| James L. Brooks, Bridget Johnson, and Kristi Zea
| {{nom}}
| align="center" rowspan="11"| <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.oftaawards.com/film-awards/2nd-annual-film-awards-1997/ |title=2nd Annual Film Awards (1997) |website=Online Film & Television Association |access-date=May 15, 2021 |archive-date=October 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201016002955/http://www.oftaawards.com/film-awards/2nd-annual-film-awards-1997/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| Best Comedy/Musical Picture
| {{won}}
|-
| Best Director
| James L. Brooks
| {{nom}}
|-
| Best Actor
| rowspan="2"| Jack Nicholson
| {{won}}
|-
| Best Comedy/Musical Actor
| {{won}}
|-
| Best Actress
| rowspan="2"| Helen Hunt
| {{nom}}
|-
| Best Comedy/Musical Actress
| {{won}}
|-
| Best Supporting Actor
| Greg Kinnear
| {{nom}}
|-
| Best Screenplay – Written Directly for the Screen
| Mark Andrus and James L. Brooks
| {{nom}}
|-
| Best Music – Original Comedy/Musical Score
| Hans Zimmer
| {{won}}
|-
| colspan="2"| Best Ensemble
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Online Film Critics Society Awards 1997|Online Film Critics Society Awards]]
| [[Online Film Critics Society Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]]
| Jack Nicholson
| {{won}}
| align="center"| <ref>{{cite web |url=https://ofcs.org/awards/1997-awards-1st-annual/ |title=The Annual 1st Online Film Critics Society Awards |website=[[Online Film Critics Society]] |date=January 3, 2012 |access-date=August 24, 2021 |archive-date=February 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210228100152/https://ofcs.org/awards/1997-awards-1st-annual/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| [[9th Golden Laurel Awards|Producers Guild of America Awards]]
| [[Producers Guild of America Award for Best Theatrical Motion Picture|Outstanding Producer of Theatrical Motion Pictures]]
| James L. Brooks, Bridget Johnson, and Kristi Zea
| {{nom}}
| align="center"| 
|-
| rowspan="2"| [[San Diego Film Critics Society Awards 1997|San Diego Film Critics Society Awards]]
| [[San Diego Film Critics Society Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]]
| Jack Nicholson
| {{won}}
| align="center" rowspan="2"| 
|-
| [[San Diego Film Critics Society Award for Best Original Screenplay|Best Screenplay – Original]]
| Mark Andrus and James L. Brooks
| {{won}}
|-
| rowspan="6"| [[2nd Golden Satellite Awards|Satellite Awards]]
| colspan="2"| [[Satellite Award for Best Motion Picture|Best Motion Picture]]
| {{won}}
| align="center" rowspan="6"| <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pressacademy.com/award_cat/1998/ |title=1998 Satellite Awards |website=[[Satellite Awards]] |access-date=August 24, 2021 |archive-date=May 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210502202216/https://www.pressacademy.com/award_cat/1998/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| [[Satellite Award for Best Actor in a Motion Picture|Best Actor in a Motion Picture]]
| Jack Nicholson
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Satellite Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture|Best Actress in a Motion Picture]]
| Helen Hunt
| {{won}}
|-
| rowspan="2"| [[Satellite Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role|Best Supporting Actor]]
| [[Cuba Gooding Jr.]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| Greg Kinnear
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Satellite Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role|Best Supporting Actress]]
| [[Shirley Knight]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="3"| [[4th Screen Actors Guild Awards|Screen Actors Guild Awards]]
| [[Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role|Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role]]
| Jack Nicholson
| {{won}}
| align="center" rowspan="3"| <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sagawards.org/awards/nominees-and-recipients/4th-annual-screen-actors-guild-awards|title=The 4th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards|work=[[Screen Actors Guild Award]]s|access-date=May 21, 2016|archive-date=November 1, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111101205428/http://www.sagawards.org/awards/nominees-and-recipients/4th-annual-screen-actors-guild-awards|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| [[Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role|Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role]]
| Helen Hunt
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role|Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role]]
| Greg Kinnear
| {{nom}}
|-
| SESC Film Festival
| Best Foreign Actor
| Jack Nicholson
| {{won}}
| align="center"| 
|-
| [[Society of Texas Film Critics Awards 1997|Society of Texas Film Critics Awards]]
| Best Screenplay – Original
| Mark Andrus and James L. Brooks
| {{nom}}
| align="center"| 
|-
| rowspan="4"| Southeastern Film Critics Association Awards
| colspan="2"| Best Picture
| {{draw|3rd Place}}
| align="center" rowspan="4"| <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sefca.net/winners#/1997 |title=1997 SEFA Awards |website=sefca.net |access-date=May 15, 2021}}</ref>
|-
| Best Actor
| Jack Nicholson
| {{Runner-up}}
|-
| Best Supporting Actor
| Greg Kinnear
| {{won}}
|-
| Best Original Screenplay
| Mark Andrus and James L. Brooks
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Toronto Film Critics Association Awards 1997|Toronto Film Critics Association Awards]]
| [[Toronto Film Critics Association Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]]
| Jack Nicholson
| {{Runner-up}}
| align="center"| <ref>{{cite web |url=https://torontofilmcritics.com/past-award-winners/ |title=TFCA Past Award Winners |website=[[Toronto Film Critics Association]] |date=May 29, 2014 |access-date=August 24, 2021 |archive-date=December 23, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181223152030/https://torontofilmcritics.com/past-award-winners/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| [[Turkish Film Critics Association|Turkish Film Critics Association Awards]]
| colspan="2"| Best Foreign Film
| {{draw|13th Place}}
| align="center"| 
|-
| [[50th Writers Guild of America Awards|Writers Guild of America Awards]]
| [[Writers Guild of America Award for Best Original Screenplay|Best Screenplay – Written Directly for the Screen]]
| Mark Andrus and James L. Brooks
| {{won}}
| align="center"| <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wga.org/awards/awardssub.aspx?id=1517|title=Writers Guild Awards Winners|access-date=March 7, 2019|publisher=WGA|year=2010|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120525050852/http://www.wga.org/awards/awardssub.aspx?id=1517|archive-date=May 25, 2012}}</ref>
|-
| [[YoungStar Award#Third Annual YoungStar Awards|YoungStar Awards]]
| Best Performance by a Young Actor in a Comedy Film
| [[Jesse James (actor)|Jesse James]]
| {{won}}
| align="center"| 
|}

== Home media ==
The film was released on VHS, LaserDisc and DVD on May 19, 1998 by [[Sony Pictures Home Entertainment|Columbia TriStar Home Video]]. It was released on Blu-ray in the United States on June 12, 2012, as part of [[Twilight Time (home video label)|Twilight Time]]'s Screen Archives collection. The set was limited to 3,000 units and sold out quickly.<ref>{{Citation |title=As Good as It Gets Blu-ray (Screen Archives Entertainment Exclusive) |url=https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/As-Good-as-It-Gets-Blu-ray/41182/ |access-date=2022-08-20 |archive-date=August 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220820002439/https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/As-Good-as-It-Gets-Blu-ray/41182/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Sony Pictures released the film on 4K UHD Blu-ray on October 25, 2022, as part of its Columbia Classics 4K Ultra HD Collection Volume 3, along with ''[[It Happened One Night]]'', ''[[From Here To Eternity]]'', ''[[To Sir, With Love]]'', ''[[The Last Picture Show]]'' and ''[[Annie (1982 film)|Annie]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Press Release - SPHE Press Release: Columbia Classics 4k Ultra HD Collection Volume 3 (4k UHD) |url=https://www.hometheaterforum.com/community/threads/sphe-press-release-columbia-classics-4k-ultra-hd-collection-volume-3-4k-uhd.376643/ |access-date=2022-08-20 |website=Home Theater Forum |date=August 10, 2022 |language=en-US |archive-date=August 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220820002438/https://www.hometheaterforum.com/community/threads/sphe-press-release-columbia-classics-4k-ultra-hd-collection-volume-3-4k-uhd.376643/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Wikiquote}}
* {{IMDb title|0119822|As Good as It Gets}}
* {{TCMDb title|324281|As Good as It Gets}}
* {{AFI film|60498|As Good as It Gets}}
* {{Mojo title|asgoodasitgets|As Good as It Gets}}
* {{Rotten Tomatoes|as_good_as_it_gets|As Good as It Gets}}
* [https://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9901E5DC153EF930A15751C1A961958260/ ''As Good as It Gets''] at [[The New York Times]]
* [{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r332449|pure_url=yes}} ''As Good as It Gets''] soundtrack review at [[AllMusic]]

{{S-start}}
{{S-ach|aw}}
{{S-bef|before=''[[The Silence of the Lambs (film)|The Silence of the Lambs]]''}}
{{S-ttl|title=Academy Award winner for [[Academy Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]] and [[Academy Award for Best Actress|Best Actress]]}}
{{S-aft|after=No film has achieved this since}}
{{S-end}}
{{James Brooks}}
{{Navboxes
|title = Awards for ''As Good as It Gets''
|list =
{{GoldenGlobeBestMotionPictureMusicalComedy 1981-2000}}
{{Satellite Award Best Motion Picture}}}}
{{Gracie Films}}
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{{Authority control}}

[[Category:1997 films]]
[[Category:1997 LGBTQ-related films]]
[[Category:1997 romantic comedy films]]
[[Category:1990s American films]]
[[Category:1990s English-language films]]
[[Category:Films set in New York City]]
[[Category:American LGBTQ-related films]]
[[Category:American romantic comedy films]]
[[Category:Best Musical or Comedy Picture Golden Globe winners]]
[[Category:English-language romantic comedy films]]
[[Category:Films about mother–son relationships]]
[[Category:Films about obsessive–compulsive disorder]]
[[Category:Films about writers]]
[[Category:Films directed by James L. Brooks]]
[[Category:Films featuring a Best Actor Academy Award–winning performance]]
[[Category:Films featuring a Best Actress Academy Award–winning performance]]
[[Category:Films featuring a Best Musical or Comedy Actor Golden Globe winning performance]]
[[Category:Films featuring a Best Musical or Comedy Actress Golden Globe winning performance]]
[[Category:Films produced by James L. Brooks]]
[[Category:Films scored by Hans Zimmer]]
[[Category:Films set in Baltimore]]
[[Category:Films shot in New York City]]
[[Category:Films with screenplays by James L. Brooks]]
[[Category:Gay-related films]]
[[Category:Gracie Films films]]
[[Category:Satellite Award–winning films]]
[[Category:TriStar Pictures films]]