This has got to be one of the best films I have seen in a long time, I was very sceptical when asked if I wanted to see it but reluctantly agreed as the video was put into the video recorder. Not being a woman (that sounds more sexist than I meant it honest!) I thought that the film was a romantic one and so had to have my arm-twisted, but boy am I glad I did! I would urge anyone to watch this film and not pre-judge it like I did.
THE CAST
The cast for this film was very well chosen and I felt that every actor fitted into the role of their character exceptionally well. You know when watching a film if an actor is not right for their role but there was none of this present in this film.
Melvin Udall - Jack Nicholson, the main character whose world is turned upside down by a series of events out of his control
Carol - Helen Hunt, a single mum of a very sick little boy, she works as a waitress and is the only one who can serve Melvin. She obviously has a soft spot for him as she stops her boss banning Melvin on several occasions. However there is great tension between her and Melvin, which is hard to distinguish between sexual tension and plain hatred
Beverly – Shirley Knight, Carol’s long suffering mum and babysitter she has a subtle but important role in the film and is a pillar of support for long suffering Carol
Spencer – Jesse James, Carol’s son and light of her life, everything she does revolves around him, at the expense of her own happiness (she explains that she wants a man)
Simon - Greg Kinnear, he is Melvin’s gay neighbor who doesn’t get along with Melvin at all, this is not his fault it is Melvin who seems to have a personal vendetta against everyone
Verdell – the cute beloved pet of Simon and initially hated by Melvin. Verdell has a greater role in the film than any of the human characters as he is the trigger for a series of events that changes everyone’s life
Frank – Cuba Gooding, Jr. Simon’s art dealer and friend, he helps him to over come the problems he is faced with and plays a key role in changing Melvin’s life (the first time we are introduced to Frank he ‘attacks’ Melvin, it was hysterical!)
Randy – Skeet Ulrich, he is picked to be a model for Simon, with the initial confusion of it not being a nude, they get down to weeks of intense drawing. However Randy is much more of a sinister character allowing his friends into Simons flat to rob him, however things don’t go to plan and Simon is left for dead
THE STORY
The story revolves around Melvin Udall, who is a romantic novelist. When asked by a rather enthusiastic female fan how he manages to write women so well he classically replays “I think of a man and take away reason and accountability” needless to say she is stunned and I was in stitches! Anyway initially we think that Melvin is a little crazy, he refuses to step on cracks in the pavements, takes his own plastic cutlery to his favourite restaurant with him and speaks his mind a little too openly. However we learn that he suffers from obsessive-compulsive behaviour, therefore we soon understand why it is that his breakfast has to come from the same café every day and he has to be served by Carol.
When his next door neighbour, Simon, is severely beaten and left for dead by a group of thugs Melvin finds himself thrown into the thick of things. He becomes the babysitter for Verdell (Simon’s dog) and although he tries to hide it he becomes very attached to the little fellow. One of the scenes that mad be laugh a lot was when he takes Verdell for a walk and the dog too refuses to step on the cracks in the pavement Melvin picks him up to talk to him, however before he does so he has to put on plastic gloves! In the middle of a busy street he puts gloves on before he will tough the dog – made me laugh anyway.
When Carol has to take time of work to look after her son, who becomes increasingly ill Melvin realises how much he actually needs her, and even invades he private life to get her to go back to work. Events then take a twist as Melvin becomes a ‘nice’ guy, well not really he is still arrogant and rude but he shows a softer side by helping Carol and her son, for no reason except to get her back to work. He also agrees to take Simon (who is broke) to his parents house, as long as Carol joins them.
The trip is a scream! Melvin is the driver and he couldn’t get any closer to the steering wheel! He is obviously homophobic and thinks Simon will pounce on him that’s why he gets his ‘private parts’ as close the steering wheel as he can, uncomfortable as it may be. Off they go and it is then that Melvin realizes he is in love with Carol, Simon gets a new lease of life and Carol gets a confidence boost! All the stories come together at this point and build up to the conclusion.
OVERALL
The story is a little slow and predictable but made exceedingly watchable by the sharp wit and humor that is round every corner. I defy you not to laugh at this film and not to enjoy it. I would definitely watch it again and can remember some of the classic quotes, which will be with me for life. The story is well told and brilliantly acted, with more twists than a corkscrew that will keep you guessing, even though the basic story is very much predictable. Just sit down, watch and enjoy.