Powerful

As Good As It Gets

Great movie! If you want to be entertained and have a few good laughs, see this movie. The music is also very good,

Actress is magnificent and exudes a hypnotic screen presence in this affecting drama.

Peter Naess directed this unusual love story that stars Josh Hartnett as Donald Morton, a young man with Asperger's syndrome, which is a high functioning form of Autism. Despite this, Donald has somehow organized a support group for other Aspergian people, where he meets an attractive but troubled woman named Isabelle, who is also attracted, but proceeds to turn his life upside down after their first date on Halloween. Though this drives Donald crazy, and Isabelle away, their relationship is hard to deny, as they will eventually discover... Wonderful to see Asperger's portrayed positively on screen, but it is a shame that it comes in such a clichéd and predictable film, and Isabelle seems more like she has Tourette's syndrome than Asperger's!

I don't know too much about autism. I am not a doctor or a psychiatrist. I see some parallels with 'One Flew Over Cuckoo's Nest'. Heroes are mentally ill, each in his/her own way (one is obsessed with numbers and parrots, another calls himself a writer, third is a hairdresser that speaks what she thinks). Probably they have something in common: they are not in a prison or a psychiatric hospital, extremely lonely and they are members of a self-support group. They are outcasts, there is a mess in their brains (we can only guess what is going on there), they are too much into internal life, some sufferings and traumas. On another hand they continue to be humans and you can see the struggle between unpredictable, emotional, spontaneous behavior, fear, anger, helplessness and kindness, care, humor, order. They want simple things: understanding, friendship, love, family, job. And they can get it if they try or they are lucky. They can be accepted by society in spite of all their defects. The movie is based on the real story and it gives hope to that unfortunate category of people. Brilliant movie about humanity with very impressive performance of Josh Hartnett and Radha Mitchell.

Before I knew of the dissatisfaction of some of the actors associated with this movie, I loved JDH's portrayal of Donald Morton. I've ordered the book, Mozart and the Whale, An Asperger's Love Story, co-written by the real-life man and wife who inspired the story, Jerry and Mary Newport with Johnny Dodd.When I heard of the controversy over making the story comical vs realistic, I knew I'd love to see a director's cut made. If just plain folks can express an opinion about what movie makers think we want compared to what we REALLY want, I say, "TRUST US TO RECOGNIZE AND APPRECIATE TRUTH." Even though I already own a DVD of this movie, should one appear labeled DIRECTOR'S CUT, I'd shell out for it.Maybe THAT one would rate a 20, or even a 50!

I'm not really a critic but I know what I like. The story was listed as a 'comedy' but of course, it is a serious drama of human emotions with the monkey wrenches of odd and obscure brain activities. The reviews prompted interest along with the weird title & the lack of anything else to watch. The viewing was a fine surprise! There was a full range of emotions throughout the entire display. The leads were excellent & volatile. Gary Cole is always a kewl scene in any movie & here he showed a sensitivity we should all admire & emulate. The rest of the supporters were very believable & at times very whimsical & important to demonstrate the highs & lows most probably share in varying degrees by all sensitive beings. Anyone criticizing this movie just really doesn't have enough compassion to forgive any shortcomings, IF any were there! Yes, there were tears of joy to conclude abruptly with the happiest ending. Mozart & the Whale II should be in the making to continue our splendid ride through this tumultuous journey known as life!