The Inside Scoop on Gaming

Welcome to this review of "As Good As It Gets" an apparently unlikely source for a role playing game. Sure, it may lack the high octane action of films like "Once Upon A Time In China" or "The Killer" or the gut wrenching hopelessness of "End Of Evangelion" (Cough, Cough, Vampire Players winging in the background), but it is a wonderful reference on roleplaying the truly humane parts of a hero: his or her flaws.

The Spoiler free summary of the plot...

Melvin Udall (Played by the ever sensational Jack Nichloson) is a sexist, racist, homophobic, animal hating romance novelist with a neurotic hormornal imbalance. As his gay artist neighbour Simon Bishop (Greg Kinner) calls him, he is a "horror of a human being." It's a well fitting title, as his literal disposal of Simon's dog adorable dog Verdell (HE deserves an Oscar!) down a garbage chute in the opening scene establishes the tone of the plethora of atrocites he commits throughout the rest of the film. (I can't do justice describing all of them, do see for yourself.)

However, Melvin is not without his redeeming qualities. For beneath that hard and wrinkled countenance lies a wounded heart waiting to be healed by love and acceptance. The positivity of his life comes in the form of Carol Conelly (Helen Hunt, WOO HOO), a burnt out single mother, barely able to keep her asmatic son alive with a dead end job as a waitress. Though on the surface Melvin may be merely verbally abusive towards Carol (as he is to all other human beings), in truth he would be willing to give ANYTHING for her love. The trouble is, his habitual cynicism prevents him from showing tenderness, even to her.

That shell is soon shattered, as Verdell unexpectedly becomes a daily part of Melvin's life. Simon became hospitalised during a brutal beating while his home was ransacked, right before an auction of his paintings. Sadly they did not sell, effectively bankrupting him. Through some "forceful convincing" by Simon's auctioner Frank (Cuba Gooding JR), Melvin became Verdell's guardian for the duration of Simon's hospitalisation. As Verdell was the only entity he could express his intense inner pain to without retaliation, he grew to love the canine. Thus begins a warm and poignant journey of redemption for a cold hearted old man, as he sets out to better the lives of the ones he had hurt.

Systems Suitable

Systems that have heavy emphasis on character flaw (like Rolemaster, Gurps and Hero) would benefit greatly from the themes in this film. Angst ridden systems (like the World Of Darkness series) would work too if the redemption theme is removed (damn Vampire to hell.)

As A Work Of Art

Although nowhere as cruel and inhumane as films like "Fight Club", "As Good As it Gets" still displayst the harsh realities of life, although always in a sympathetic manner. James L. Brooks, the ingenius producer of "the Simpsons" brings his most appluadable talent of creating crabby yet lovable characters seamlessly onto the big screen. All three of the main leads have flaws that we all can easily identify with. It really helps that their performances are the most heart wrenchingly humane in any film, comedy or otherwise. Even though I never cried when Bambi's mom was shot, I was Niagra Falls as Helen Hunt gave the most touching confessing of a struggling mother's inner turmoil. Her Oscar was WELL deserved. The gentle and moving score of Hans Zimmer (of the Lion King and Broken Arrow) is a definite plus.

Its value as gaming material...

More than meets the eye. Although "As Good As It Gets" has no value for hack-and-slashing material, its viewing by GMs and PCs alike can vastly improve three elements of any campaigns: wit and humane character flaws.

The lines in this films contain the same venomously acidic wit from the Simpsons, multiplied by a factor of ten. I shall give but a mere sampling of one of the best ones. I doubt there is a better way of driving away the unwanted attention of a gay neighbour:

Melvin Udall: Never, never, interrupt me, okay? Not if there's a fire, not even if you hear the sound of a thud from my home and one week later there's a smell coming from there that can only be a decaying human body and you have to hold a hanky to your face because the stench is so thick that you think you're going to faint. Even then, don't come knocking. Or, if it's election night, and you're excited and you wanna celebrate because some fudgepacker that you date has been elected the first queer president of the United States and he's going to have you down to Camp David, and you want someone to share the moment with. Even then, don't knock. Not on this door. Not for ANY reason. Do you get me, sweetheart?

Simon Bishop: It's not a subtle point that you're making.

See What I mean? Take a theme and multiply it by a stereotype, then divide it by controversial shock value, and you have witty lines for a game session. However, if we all just babbled sarcastic crap all day to everyone we ever meet, we are denying the most fundamental thing that makes us human; the ability to love. That is the perhaps the most precious lession from "As Good As It Gets."

The classic definition of a hero, in the Greek sense, is one who is endowed with promethean might, and yet is doomed because of a tragic flaw. Yet their nobility is displayed in the fact that they conquer that shortcoming by sheer persistance. Some, like Odysseus, may even find redemption.

"As Good As It Gets" is a classic example of this formula: Although Melvin is gifted with a sharp pen and financial comfort, his equally sharp heart and tongue deprives him of sympathy and love. Carol is beautiful and likable, yet is burdened with a low self esteem and her helpless son. Simon is shackled by his sexuality and a childhood of neglect, and a dream that is rapidly disintergrating. Yet through the common virtue of empathy the trio of misfits bond, and saved each other.

This film should hopefully prevent your testoserone charged PCs from playing sword swinging, mindless beefcakes, and instead create virtuous yet flawed victims who are excellent for the weaving of grand epics of climbing back to grace.

Overall...

This movie may not blow you away. But it teaches a most important lesson for the disillusioned and cynical role players today:

"If you stare at someone long enough, you start to see their humanity."

Thank You For Reading My Review.

Style: 5 (Excellent!)
Substance: 5 (Excellent!)

As Good As It Gets
Author: James L Brooks Category: Movie Company/Publisher: Columbia Line: N/A Cost: $25 Australian Page count: N/A Capsule Review by Lupum Argentum on 02/19/00. Genre tags: Modern_day Comedy	Welcome to this review of "As Good As It Gets" an apparently unlikely source for a role playing game. Sure, it may lack the high octane action of films like "Once Upon A Time In China" or "The Killer" or the gut wrenching hopelessness of "End Of Evangelion" (Cough, Cough, Vampire Players winging in the background), but it is a wonderful reference on roleplaying the truly humane parts of a hero: his or her flaws. The Spoiler free summary of the plot... Melvin Udall (Played by the ever sensational Jack Nichloson) is a sexist, racist, homophobic, animal hating romance novelist with a neurotic hormornal imbalance. As his gay artist neighbour Simon Bishop (Greg Kinner) calls him, he is a "horror of a human being." It's a well fitting title, as his literal disposal of Simon's dog adorable dog Verdell (HE deserves an Oscar!) down a garbage chute in the opening scene establishes the tone of the plethora of atrocites he commits throughout the rest of the film. (I can't do justice describing all of them, do see for yourself.) However, Melvin is not without his redeeming qualities. For beneath that hard and wrinkled countenance lies a wounded heart waiting to be healed by love and acceptance. The positivity of his life comes in the form of Carol Conelly (Helen Hunt, WOO HOO), a burnt out single mother, barely able to keep her asmatic son alive with a dead end job as a waitress. Though on the surface Melvin may be merely verbally abusive towards Carol (as he is to all other human beings), in truth he would be willing to give ANYTHING for her love. The trouble is, his habitual cynicism prevents him from showing tenderness, even to her. That shell is soon shattered, as Verdell unexpectedly becomes a daily part of Melvin's life. Simon became hospitalised during a brutal beating while his home was ransacked, right before an auction of his paintings. Sadly they did not sell, effectively bankrupting him. Through some "forceful convincing" by Simon's auctioner Frank (Cuba Gooding JR), Melvin became Verdell's guardian for the duration of Simon's hospitalisation. As Verdell was the only entity he could express his intense inner pain to without retaliation, he grew to love the canine. Thus begins a warm and poignant journey of redemption for a cold hearted old man, as he sets out to better the lives of the ones he had hurt. Systems Suitable Systems that have heavy emphasis on character flaw (like Rolemaster, Gurps and Hero) would benefit greatly from the themes in this film. Angst ridden systems (like the World Of Darkness series) would work too if the redemption theme is removed (damn Vampire to hell.) As A Work Of Art Although nowhere as cruel and inhumane as films like "Fight Club", "As Good As it Gets" still displayst the harsh realities of life, although always in a sympathetic manner. James L. Brooks, the ingenius producer of "the Simpsons" brings his most appluadable talent of creating crabby yet lovable characters seamlessly onto the big screen. All three of the main leads have flaws that we all can easily identify with. It really helps that their performances are the most heart wrenchingly humane in any film, comedy or otherwise. Even though I never cried when Bambi's mom was shot, I was Niagra Falls as Helen Hunt gave the most touching confessing of a struggling mother's inner turmoil. Her Oscar was WELL deserved. The gentle and moving score of Hans Zimmer (of the Lion King and Broken Arrow) is a definite plus. Its value as gaming material... More than meets the eye. Although "As Good As It Gets" has no value for hack-and-slashing material, its viewing by GMs and PCs alike can vastly improve three elements of any campaigns: wit and humane character flaws. The lines in this films contain the same venomously acidic wit from the Simpsons, multiplied by a factor of ten. I shall give but a mere sampling of one of the best ones. I doubt there is a better way of driving away the unwanted attention of a gay neighbour: Melvin Udall: Never, never, interrupt me, okay? Not if there's a fire, not even if you hear the sound of a thud from my home and one week later there's a smell coming from there that can only be a decaying human body and you have to hold a hanky to your face because the stench is so thick that you think you're going to faint. Even then, don't come knocking. Or, if it's election night, and you're excited and you wanna celebrate because some fudgepacker that you date has been elected the first queer president of the United States and he's going to have you down to Camp David, and you want someone to share the moment with. Even then, don't knock. Not on this door. Not for ANY reason. Do you get me, sweetheart? Simon Bishop: It's not a subtle point that you're making. See What I mean? Take a theme and multiply it by a stereotype, then divide it by controversial shock value, and you have witty lines for a game session. However, if we all just babbled sarcastic crap all day to everyone we ever meet, we are denying the most fundamental thing that makes us human; the ability to love. That is the perhaps the most precious lession from "As Good As It Gets." The classic definition of a hero, in the Greek sense, is one who is endowed with promethean might, and yet is doomed because of a tragic flaw. Yet their nobility is displayed in the fact that they conquer that shortcoming by sheer persistance. Some, like Odysseus, may even find redemption. "As Good As It Gets" is a classic example of this formula: Although Melvin is gifted with a sharp pen and financial comfort, his equally sharp heart and tongue deprives him of sympathy and love. Carol is beautiful and likable, yet is burdened with a low self esteem and her helpless son. Simon is shackled by his sexuality and a childhood of neglect, and a dream that is rapidly disintergrating. Yet through the common virtue of empathy the trio of misfits bond, and saved each other. This film should hopefully prevent your testoserone charged PCs from playing sword swinging, mindless beefcakes, and instead create virtuous yet flawed victims who are excellent for the weaving of grand epics of climbing back to grace. Overall... This movie may not blow you away. But it teaches a most important lesson for the disillusioned and cynical role players today: "If you stare at someone long enough, you start to see their humanity." Thank You For Reading My Review. Style: 5 (Excellent!) Substance: 5 (Excellent!)