Plot Details: This opinion reveals major details about the movie's plot.

I found this to be an entertaining movie, but not for the usual reasons. Life in New York City with it's common eccentricities is the draw for me, plus more than a passing familiarity with obsessive compulsive disorder. I can identify with the major characters, having aspired to being a writer, and having some limited success as an artist. I have been a waitress, but not a good one.

I think the movie was directed well, has never been boring (and I have seen it MANY times) and has a great cast, who manage to create remembered characters out of their roles. The Sound track has some appeal, and the photography is classic. I carry few images around in my head, but some of the scenes will play over and over, because they are so well executed.

The fact that this movie won Academy Awards may be puzzling in the face of the competition. Perhaps it reflects the mood of the times. Sometimes we don't need a movie that leaves us shaken, or astounded. Maybe we need a movie that nudges us where we live. Maybe we need to realize that we are, to some extent, EXACTLY as others see us.

THEMES

OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DISORDER

This disease, exhibited by Nicholson's character is a subject for humor here. For many, it is a crippling and ultimately disabling disease. We get our first glimpse of the nature of his problem in his bathroom cabinet packed with soap, and washing his hands with scalding water. It is hard to be sympathetic because Udall is SO obnoxious. People tolerate him because of his monetary success, and he can afford his eccentricities. The question is, does Udall's relationship with the waitress pull him out of his ritualistic and obsessive behavior, or did he have the ability to do that himself? Or did he do it at all?

Everyone who has obsessive qualities is not afflicted with the disease. We are normal.(REALLY!) It brings to mind something I have always believed, and it is that we all have eccentricities. It is a matter of degree, and whether it affects your ability to function which determines where your eccentricities put you in the Bell curve of personality disorders. And if you live in New York, who would ever know?

GAY SCENE

Udall's relationship to Simon is interesting, especially as it changes. He gay bashes openly, and insults ..everybody. Weepy Simon is a wimp, and fits the stereotype. He engenders pity, at the time of his greatest success as a successful painter. Where Simon gains character is in getting through the bad times. Where Udall helps, he gains humanity. The history of Simon's relationship with his mother seemed to point to a sick REASON for him to be gay,implying that this condition is somehow unacceptable. Udall, who is far more dysfunctional, never reveals a reason for his disorder.

Cuba Gooding Jr's character offers an interesting middle ground. The implication is that he is gay, and at other times bisexual. I never thought about it much, simply recognizing him as a businessman, until I saw the movie with the commentary. He functions well in the world, and sensitivity isn't his best quality.

Those on the edge, the addicts who model, then rob and beat Simon represent no aspect of the gay community but rather the fringe of humanity, whose most understandable quality is NEED.

HEALTH CARE IN AMERICA

Now this is a subject for some discussion! The problem is exposed when Spencer, the son of Carol the waitress, interfaces with the health care system with his asthma. He never sees the same doctor twice or receives comprehensive care. His symptoms are treated, not his disease. Money and influence put him on the road to wellness. With all the money we spend on health care, we deserve better than that. When Simon is beat up, it is his health care expenses that break him.

Whatever your position on some important issues of our times, this movie will give you food for thought. It is important that the major players CHANGE, all for the better.

THE PLOT

Writer Melvin Udall is an obnoxious middle aged man living alone in an expensive apartment in New York. He is a successful writer, of "romance" novels, something that does not at all fit his character. In the opening scene he puts his gay neighbor's dog down the garbage chute, and graphically insults his gay neighbor.

Simon is a painter, and he has an apartment and studio across the hall from Udall. He is good looking and sensitive, and has the little dog dumped down the shoot by neighbor Udall. He has a show up in a gallery, run by friend and sponsor Frank.

Udall has a ritual in his life, and his compulsive nature demands that the routine be regular, and the places and objects, and routines be the same. He has lunch every day in a small restaurant, sits at the same table, and has the same waitress, Carol.

Carol works hard to support her family. Her son Spencer has asthma, and it is a constant stress for Carol. Her social life does not exist, her off hours are spent in emergency rooms. She is a quick study and a good waitress. She looks hard, and used. But she is the only waitress in the restaurant who can deal with regular customer Melvin Udall.

The lives of these three people are about to change. Simon gets a model from a friend picking up a derelict in the street. He doesn't check references, and the kid returns with buddies to rob him. When he comes back in the room and finds them going through his stuff, they beat the snot out of him, breaking bones and scarring his face.

Simon's gallery owner, Frank, looks for someone who will look after "Verdell" the little dog. He figures that Melvin "Owes him" for dumping Verdell down the chute, and no one else will watch him. An amazing relationship develops between Udall and the dog.

Having adjusted to this glitch in his routine, Melvin is stressed, but starts to see benefits from being a "nice" rather than sarcastic guy. People like him because of the dog. Then another bomb drops and Carol is not at work one day. He misses her, and his obsessive angst builds, until he finds a way to get Spencer good medical care.

To his surprise, Melvin discovers that Carol is more to him than a part of his routine. Carol, Simon and Carol each become something to each other. But what? That is for you to discover, if you haven't yet seen this movie.

THE CAST

JACK NICHOLSON as Melvin Udall. He deserved the academy award. No one does any kind of crazy like Jack, and no one is a better eccentric. He is the creative personality which requires intense focus and dedication to the plodding routine of actually DOING it. He says, without remorse, the things that only a New Yorker would think of. I have to say, having gone from NYC to a small town in Colorado, that the brash sarcasm of the New York sophisticate is little appreciated elsewhere. But Jack is Jack, and he is great in this role.

GREG KINNEAR as Simon Bishop the gay painter. I really loved Greg in this role, although it is a bit exaggerated. There are too many gay cliches written in. He is an excellent counterpoint to Melvin, having all the good qualities that Melvin does not. He is sensitive, self-effacing, and affectionate. He is not a cross dresser, and his work is his passion, not his sexual inclination. Where Melvin sees his writing as a well- paying job, Simon recognizes painting as his life. His show fails, and his appearance is destroyed. He is shattered, and Kinnear plays it well.

HELEN HUNT as Carol Connelly the waitress. This is her signature role, and the one she does the best, no matter what movie she appears in. She is the nurturing personality, but enough of a modern woman to want a life for herself. She doesn't think Melvin will be the man for her, but she is desperately lonely. She has always been the "provider". It could not have been easy to accept help.

CUBA GOODING JR as Frank Sachs, Simon's friend and gallery owner. He makes the connection between Simon and Melvin, and has a natural anger when insulted by the eccentric writer.


"JILL" as Verdell the dog. The dog is cute, and acts easily as well as the other major players. He is full of doggy personality. He is soulful. He appears full of love for Udall, and is Simon's dear friend. He says all he needs to say by saying nothing. He doesn't interact much with Carol. Nobody's perfect.

You really should see this movie, if nothing else just to say you did. I liked it, and can watch it anytime with as much enjoyment as I did the first time. There is no earth shattering message in the movie, just people being themselves. It makes me realize that I am not just the person I "feel" I am, but at least to some extent, the way others see me. It doesn't hurt to have money.

Recommended: Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Fit for Friday Evening
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older