Knowing How to Communicate with People

Knowing How to Communicate with People

As Good as it Gets



As good as it gets

Melvin: Melvin exhibits strong signs of OCD in the beginning of the movie and wasn’t close to anyone or anything. His neighbor, Simon, even accused him of not loving anything. He didn’t have a relationship with anyone and most people found him to be mean and obnoxious. He didn’t mean to be mean, but he didn’t know how to communicate with people. His OCD made certain things very difficult for him to do. Melvin never walked on the cracks in the street, always wore gloves and was a complete germ phobic. He had the ritual of counting to five every time he would lock his door or turn on a light.
Carol: Carol was a waitress in Manhattan, but lived in Brooklyn. She has a very sick son and between working and taking care of him, she had no time for herself. All she wanted was to be with someone who really loved her, but because of her sick child, she could never stay in a relationship. Carol’s role in the beginning of the movie was just to bringing him his breakfast every morning, along with the occasional insult. As the movie progresses, she became more than just a waitress to Melvin. He began to fall in love with her.
The mother: Carol’s mother was a very wise woman who only wanted the best for her daughter. The only thing she wanted was for Carol to be happy and loved.
Spencer: Spencer was Carol’s son who was sick with bad asthma ever since he was six months old. He usually goes back and forth to the hospital with very high fevers and terrible coughs. Spencer also wants his mother to be happy. Every time she goes on a date, he tells her he promises not to get sick.
Simon: Simon was Melvin’s neighbor who is an artist and homosexual. Simon loved his work and he loved his life. Melvin always gave him a hard time but towards the end of the movie, they ended up being really good friends.

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