Rating: 8.5/10
Directed by: James L. Brooks
Starring: Jack Nicholson, Helen Hunt and Greg Kinear.
Synopsis: Melvin Udall (Jack Nicholson) is an obsessive-compulsive writer of romantic fiction who’s rude to everyone he meets, including his gay neighbour Simon (Greg Kinnear), but when he has to look after Simon’s dog, he begins to soften and, if still not completely over his problems, finds he can conduct a relationship with the only waitress (Helen Hunt) at the local diner who’ll serve him.
Personal Review:
I recently embarked on a journey to visit any and all classics from yesteryear and happened to stumble upon this gem whilst browsing through Netflix late at night. My mom who has usually been my “go to” for recommendations on classic films suggested this movie a while ago and I finally got a round to watching it. It’s easy to see why Hunt and Nicholson won Oscars for a lead role in their respective categories. Jack plays a racist, homophobic, OCD novelist (who funnily enough writes romantic novels) and Hunt plays a stressed-out single mother battling with a chronic asthmatic child whilst waiting on tables during the day. Right off the bat it didn’t grab me at first but as soon as the story began to unfold, I fell in love. I’ve always been a closet romantic and this is up there with one of my favourite romantic dramas of all time. I don’t want to give away too many spoilers for those who haven’t had the opportunity to watch this film, but I strongly suggest you do because the message I took from it stands true. No matter how much you are set in your ways, someone can come along and flip your world upside down for the better and their love can force you to change your old ways and as much as you don’t believe in the idea of love it will always grab a hold of you and never let go. In the wise words of Climie Fisher, Love Changes Everything.
