Good start, but then it gets ruined

As Good As It Gets

This is a tender, generous movie that likes its characters and presents them as real people, full of flaws and strengths.

In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

This marvelous film deals with a topic, exploitation of children (euphimism), that is difficult on viewers. All over the world bad things are happening to young people who can not control their own lives because they are children. The innocents tainted in this world will become saints and dwell in Heaven with Our Father. No, this film isn't about religion per se. But it is about the struggle and the triumph of humans over their sometimes miserable, but always radiant, terrible difficulties. The adult who has to deal with the two abandoned children is marvelously played and his growth as a human being in the sense of doing the right thing, rather than just "following orders" is a great performance. The leading character is an 11-12 year old girl who I understand was not an actress before performing in this film. I could open a floodgate of positive adjectives and remarks about her performance, but let's just say that she play her role so authentically and underplays, which is necessary, the plight of her character, where the underplaying is simply the character being herself in a world she endures,and must accept, but is one no one would choose. I hope that viewers will remember (and if they don't, watch the movie again) the final scene where she tries to give her brother hope and show the viewer that even the worst world can be inhabited and experienced with at least some joy--sometimes only a tiny measure of happiness is all we can get in our lives, but still we must savor it.Many people complain that so and so movie is not on DVD etc., but this film was released on VHS for a short time in the early 90's and only a few copies are on the market at a fairly high price--the film should be transferred to DVD by Criterion or someone (I wish I knew how). Buy the VHS and watch a movie that points the way, as almost no movie really does, to the real, complex, harmful, and sometimes wonderful world that exists beyond the movie.

The child actors are supreme and the plot development feels real from beginning to end.There are very few films that can make us confront a difficult issue without resorting to maudlin tears or some other form of emotional manipulation. This is one of them -- no Hollywood treatment here.And I like the fact that the trip is a journey -- both physically and spiritually. It starts in the north of Italy and leads us progressively towards its southern extremity in Sicily. As the children migrate to the South, our hopes and hearts warm as we come to expect a new emotional climate for them. As with any film intending to make a serious comment on the devestating nature of child abuse, something intervenes to prove to us that our hopes are premature.... This film betrays no compromise in its portrayal of innocence lost and regained and lost once again. The scene at the end with the girl comforting her brother is one of the most poignant I know in film.I would put this film at the top of a narrow list of films addressing childhood trauma (including "Salaam Bombay!" and "Alice in the Cities"). But the perfection of the child actors, the tremendous care of the storytelling (director Gianni Amelio co-authored the screenplay), and the generous, ambulant scenery make this film a standout that has seldom been rivaled.

This film is one that will be difficult to view. The basis of the film is that two children are taken away from their abusive mother. Lo Verso must escort them to an orphanage however the orphanage does not want the children. I won't spoil anything for you, but I will say that this type of film would never be made in the US. The themes that are suggested are extremely controversial.I too agree with many people when they say that this is one of the best acting performances by children ever.

i have seen many and i mean many many movies but this still is my all time favorite even above great classics like "Godfather" or Shawshank redemption.Why the movie is so good? the great special effects? NO! there aren't one, the Action No there isn't any action. the reason! this is the most sincere movie ever made.It's the beautiful story of two children 8 and 11 who are placed out of there home when their mother is arrested for selling her daughter as whore. the children team up with a goodhearted policeman (Enrico LO Verso)who must guide them and bring them to a good orphanage. as the story goes by the 3 people more and more grow tho each others. This is the story of friendship trust and faith and human compassion.Hearthwarming and Unforgettable