As Good As It Gets

Clever, believable, and super fun to watch. It totally has replay value.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

This movie tries so hard to be funny, yet it falls flat every time. Just another example of recycled ideas repackaged with women in an attempt to appeal to a certain audience.

Bruce Willis, Spencer Breslin, Emily Mortimer and Lily Tomlin star in this 2000 comedy. This takes place in L.A. and Willis (Die Hard) plays Russ Duritz, a cynical, image-consultant who's about to celebrate his birthday. Soon, he's visited by 8-year-old kid, Rusty (Breslin) whom he learns is his childhood self and they help each other face their challenges/obstacles of the past and future. Mortimer (Scream 3) plays Amy, a friend & co-worker of Russ and Tomlin (9 to 5) plays his secretary, Janet. I've always liked this film, it's got humorous and a couple of heartfelt moments and Willis & Breslin are great in it. I recommend this.

As a guy who is 39, turning on 40 this year, I am happy i never really grew up. This film moves me every time i see it, brings about melancholy to the time i was still 8, carefree, no worries, mum and dad still alive..Seeing some of my colleagues even younger than me at the school i teach history at, who act and sometimes even look 50 up, i fight and fight and fight to keep my kid inside, and never lose touch with it. That also is a benefit for my pupils, as well as myself.This film is a must see for everyone, it is skilfully made, honest, caring, and Bruce Willis shows he is more than an action film actor.Highly recommended for everyone who just wants to float away on memories past, as well as people who are willing to see the message contained within.ASHIKAGA.

Now for sure, this is one of the lightest-hearted stories that Bruce Willis has been in to date and yet,-- it is still touching. I really like Bruce's style and persona, I haven't loved everything he has ever been in, but he brings it to the 'Big-time' for me in most all his film endeavors.The story begins..... He is power, confidence and style with a capitol 'S' . He drives a Porshe he lives well, in a palatial estate with a grand view of the fair city. That's Russell Duritz. He is an image consultant to those who are on the top or rising to it. His acclaim, he is Russell Duritz, he knows what it takes to make it. It just seems that as life is going along swiftly and foundation-ally set, there is a problem, an intruder at his home, the alarm has been activated! Russell can't seem to figure out (for the moment) what is happening to him. It's different and yet it is somehow familiar. A small boy, who looks exactly like....-- him. As their lives run smack dab into each other, there seems to be a reason that is screaming out to him, "You have unfinished business to take care of, now!"Amy the supporting young lady of the story is probably the best balance that he has seen and has in his life. She works with him, puts up with his 'ego' and yet, she is smitten with Russell. Very much so. With Rusty his past 'self' now in the picture and talking a mile a minute, singing too late at night, everything that was foundational is becoming like jelly! Willis is fun, egocentric and at times out of his head in this lovable Disney modern times classic 'The Kid' and to add his little heavy-duty side kick Spencer Breslin is a perfect addition to this sparkling story of childhood to adult and back to childhood adventure. Chi McBride is an inspirational supporting character, as he is the heavy-weight champ, teaching 'little' Rusty how to box to defend himself against the bullies on the playground. All in all this is a real winner of a movie with even Lillie Tomlin as the secretary and aide to Russell. I originally saw this back in 2000' and then again years later, with equal enjoyment. This is a shiny family comedy that has a super ending that will warm the hearts of any Disney fan Recommended highly (*****)

I really wonder about Bruce Willis. He's such a tough guy, but he seems to have a soft underbelly. Because of these two qualities, he is nicely cast in this film. It's a movie about second chances. It's a movie about reconciliation. It's about facing the things we were always afraid of. Willis's character is successful in a financial way. He doesn't seem very happy, however. For whatever reason, he is suddenly thrown together with his younger self, an obnoxious but charming kid who is able to see his own weaknesses, and blames his adult self. It sounds terribly complex but we get the hang of it pretty quickly. There are a series of pivotal moments in life when things could go different ways and that's what the focus is. If we were given another opportunity, what would we do? Everyone must think this at some point. The byplay between Willis and his young companion goes from confrontational and whiny to precious and kind. It works pretty well. It was much better than I thought it would be. One downer was the obvious commercialism and product placement. It is rampant in this movie.