Amazon.com

Anyone familiar with writer/director James L. Brooks (Broadcast News, As Good As It Gets) knows the man has a real feel for interesting women and a disarming way with a one-liner. The main women in Spanglish are Deborah Clasky (Téa Leoni), a moneyed SoCal mom, and non-English speaking Flor Moreno (Paz Vega), the beautiful Latina whom Deborah hires as a housekeeper. The one-liners, some of them amusing, are everywhere. Brooks provides an intriguing set-up for the two women to butt heads--Deborah's pudgy daughter Bernice (Sarah Steele) needs the affection at which Flor excels, while Flor's clever, bi-lingual daughter Cristina (Shelbie Bruce) is enamored of the financial advantages Deborah can provide--then proceeds to make Deborah so hatefully ignorant you can't imagine why her neuroses are the main thrust of the film. And Deborah's celebrated chef husband John (Adam Sandler, way over his head) is such a perfect parent he doesn't seem human--what happened to the Brooks who had Terms of Endearment mom Debra Winger turn to her scowling little boy and grunt "Don't make me hit you in the street"? Cloris Leachman has a nifty supporting role as Deborah's boozy, ex-jazz singer mother, but it's only one offbeat chord in an earnest film that hits all the wrong notes. --Steve Wiecking ... Read more

Reviews (93)

what is wrong with Hollywood and New York?
They seem to have a prejudice against Mexican-American actors.
Not too many roles for Hispanics out there, but you would figure that at the very least Mexican actors would get parts in stories about Mexicans, right? Nope. "Selena" the story about a Mexican-American that sings Tejano music...had a Mexican actor right? Nope. Puerto Ricans and Cubans. "Spanglish" the story of a Mexican woman that comes to America...Mexican playing the part, right? Nope. They went to Seville, Spain to get this one...daytime soap operas, not very many Hispanics there...when there is a part for a Hispanic (once in a blue moon), it goes to Puerto Rican actors...Mexicans on tv? George Lopez and Cheech Marin...name 3 more...I can name 50 African-American actors just off the top of my head...20 Asian actors off the top of my head...10 Puerto Rican actors off the top of my head...4 Mexican actors off the top of my head (George, Cheech, Maria Conchita Alonso, and Fernando Lamas)...Hispanics are the largest Minority Group in America...Mexican-Americans make up 58% of that group...that is right...more than half of the largest Minority Group in America is of Mexican decent...so, when was the last time that you saw Mexicans on tv or in the movies?
Dr. Pepper has about a 14% marketshare...How would it be if you could only find one can of Dr. Pepper in every ten stores? Wouldn't you say, "Woo, something is seriously wrong here"...then they make the story of how Dr. Pepper was created....but...you used Mr. Pibb in all the product shots of the story of Dr. Pepper...about the same thing when you make movies about Mexicans, but use no Mexican actors.

So, who was the movie "Spanglish" made for? Mexicans? too far from true life for them...Puerto Ricans and Cubans? Can't relate to a movie about "Coming to America poor, for a better life" (Puerto Ricans were born Americans, Cubans were mostly either rich and/or educated escaping the overthrow of an Autocratic Government)...Spaniards? I don't think that even a handfull escaped poverty by coming to America so they can't relate to the story either...Caucasians? some yes, some no...African Americans? some yes, and some no...Asian Americans? some yes and some no...South Americans? They can relate to the story in it's purest form, but not in this Hollywood/Disneyland version...so, right from the start, this movie had a handful of potential viewers...so, again I ask, Who was this movie made for?

While I am on a tirade: Why is Cajun a language and Spanglish not? Both are a conglomerate of languages, but one is considered delightful while the other is considered an abomination...if you consider the amount of people speaking either, Spanglish is spoken by maybe 1000 times more people than Cajun is.( and believe it or not, Spanglish does have it's own set of gramatical rules...it's not just Spanish and English words thrown together haphazardly...to simplify the rules: Spanish verbs with English Nouns along with a mix of both in adverbs...Spanglish syntax is a beautiful orphan...try and mesh the opposing sytaxs of English and Spanish...Spanglish syntax somehows gets the job done.)

Not your typical Adam Sandler Movie!
I have never been an Adam Sandler fan; however, this movie is really wonderful. Sandler has matured as an actor and is apparently taking roles with more meat and less physical comedy. His character is the polar opposite of Tea Leoni's. His love for their children and his understanding of human nature just shine through. Leoni is perfect as the neurotic, narcissistic wife and mother. A wonderful foil to Sandler's even tempered character. While you might think this is a great date movie, I think it's a better married with children couple date movie. Lots of truisms here. Favorite line: When Leoni's character tells her mother she isn't helping with her low self esteem, and the mother replies " these days your low self esteem is just good common sense". Sandler just might make it to my must see list for the future.

Rent it?Definitely. Buy it?You could do worse.
Let's start off with; this wasn't a bad movie, it simply needed some work.

The story itself is a feel good kind of movie...often referred to as a `chick flick.'There are no explosions, no guns, and no fist-fights.Other than a nonnudity sex scene where Te'a Leoni tries to do an orgasm scene that just doesn't cut it, there isn't much to be embarrassed about when watching this with young kids.

Overall I feel the director wanted his actors to be too over the top.Te'a Leoni was waaaaaay over acting.This is something that someone just doesn't do, but is told to do.Cloris Leachman also had a few moments of over acting but for the most part was good and had some of the best lines in the movie to bring about a laugh.

Shelbie Bruce who plays Christina did a great job.She was very convincing and pulled out some fine scenes.Paz Vega who plays Flor is breathtakingly beautiful and is able to act extremely well.(I hope she does many more films)Sarah Steele who plays Bernice is bound to be a very popular actor because she can act.

The `big' name, Adam Sandler was okay.He isn't doing his normal funny guy thing in this film.I feel his character wasn't well written so much of the fault lies with the writer, who by the way is the director.

Overall, I watched it twice and enjoyed it both times but it's definitely not one I'll buy.

Just on the edge of getting 4 stars
Genre: Comedy, Drama

Genre Grade: B+

Final Grade: B-

This was a good movie with great effort put into it from the cast and director James L. Brooks (As Good As It Gets). However, some moments of pure cheesiness, as well as silly cliches, and some serious over-doing it caused this good movie to fall short of being a great one. However, there are some laugh-out-loud hilarious moments (mostly from Tea Leoni and Cloris Leachman) and some really great dialogue (something Brooks is known for), as sappy as it is. Adam Sandler gives a good performance, especially in his moments of being out of control, you can really sense his calmness is on the verge of a nervous breakdown. This movie, though very unbelievable under the circumstances, does its job, and although it has some serious cheese factors, it's still definitely worth seeing. And now for a great line from the movie...

Evelyn Norwich: We have to talk.
Deborah Clasky: Mother, are you buzzed?
Evelyn Norwich: No. I quit drinking weeks ago! No one noticed, but I guess that's a pretty good indicator that I conducted myself quite well when I was drunk. But this isn't about me right now.

What is the point of this movie?
I feel compelled to write a review on this movie because it was by far the worst movie I have seen in the past couple of years. It was an utter disappointment. I'm still scratching my head on why so many people gave it such good reviews. I think the `deep' moments the movie was supposed to portray just came across as annoying and over the top. I really hated Tea Leoni's character. Yes, I realize that not every character in every movie is supposed to be likeable, but they should at least be somewhat relatable. She was just way too over the top for me.

Also, I really did not understand the point of this movie. The movie starts off with Flor's daughter narrating her college essay, yet her daughter isn't even a centralized character in the movie...in fact her character is hardly even in the movie. Her ultimate point of her college essay at the end of the movie was that she was `her mother's daughter'. This really was not evident throughout the movie and I would not have guessed that this would be the point if she hadn't said it at the end. There really was no point to this movie; it was completely pointless in my opinion.
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Reviews (51)

Tears of Endearment
Fresh off the success of his television series TAXI, James L Brooks came to the big screen with his directorial debut: a comic film culminating in a main character succumbing to cancer. That certainly doesn't sound like the most promising comedy material but TERMS OF ENDEARMENT is a success in both comedy and drama. It is a very funny film that ends up a tearjerker without ever sacrificing the humor.

The mother and daughter act of Aurora (Shirley MacLaine) and Emma (Debra Winger) are at the heart of the story. The mother is consistently over-protective and disappointed in her daughter. Emma is one of the most compassionate human beings in the cinematic world. When Emma ups and marries the wrong guy (Jeff Daniels) there relationship becomes one of the phone lines. Even that doesn't squelch Aurora's power of her daughter. But when Aurora finally dates her free-spirited neighbor (Jack Nicholson), she softens as a human being and backs off of.

The film is quite clever with its characters and dialogue, often right from McMurtry's novel. Brooks works wonders with a dream cast that was often a nightmare. The audio commentary on the DVD offers a very open discussion of the Diva attitudes on the set. And Brooks exposes some other things as well but the commentary is often self-congratulatory. This is a great film in the style of BROADCAST NEWS and AS GOOD AS IT GETS.

Funny,sad,intense,just like real life.A classic.
I first saw "Terms of Endearment" in the theatre when it first came out at Christmas 1983 and thought it was an excellent picture. Then,saw it several years later on home video and I still think so. I even gave a copy of the video to my sister for a birthday present(along with some other of her favorite movies). A lot of the credit should go to James L. Brooks who was the writer and director.Mr. Brooks was a writer on "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" in the '70's and wrote the enjoyable movie "Starting Over" in 1979.

Shirley MacLaine stars as Aurora and Debra Winger is her daughter Emma and the story is about their relationship over many years.The two leads both gave fabulous performances. Ms.MacLaine won the Academy Award for Best Actress(her one and only win) and Ms. Winger was nominated.Jack Nicholson gave a very funny,likable performance as the former astronaut who lives next door to Aurora. Nicholson won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for this role(a role that Burt Reynolds turned down due to a prior commitment.Reynolds regretted it later because the movie he turned the role down for turned out to be a flop).Actors John Lithgow and a then unknown Jeff Daniels also give good performances in supporting roles.

However, the real kudos go to James L.Brooks who won the Academy Award for Best Screenplay Adaptation(from the novel by Larry McMurtry)and for Best Director,very impressive since this was his directorial debut.And,it also won Best Picture of the year.The story has many funny moments,sad moments,and intense moments,just like in real life.Mr.Brooks went on to write and direct "Broadcast News" in 1987 and "As Good As It Gets" in 1997 which were both very good pictures also.There was a sequel to "Terms of Endearment" some 16 years later in 1996 called "The Evening Star" with Ms.MacLaine and Mr. Nicholson but with a different writer and director."The Evening Star" was no classic but "Terms of Endearment" truly is.

Somewhat cold, but still wonderful.
I saw this movie after I had seen Steel Magnolias, and to be honest it did not impress me as much as Steel Magnolias did. They are both classics in the film world, but I found Magnolias better and more heartwarming. Shirley Maclaine did a wonderful job acting in this film as the troubled mother of a sickly daughter. The movie comes together in the end but at some points the movie lacked that sense of heart and home that Steel Magnolias had. See it and make the judgment for yourself. I do reccomend it.

Tear-jerker
Shirley MacLaine and Debra Winger play mother and daughter who are alternately at love and war with each other as they go on the roller-coaster of life. On a routine visit to the pediatrician for one of her sons, Winger's doc is more interested in her swollen glands than he is in her son's ear ache - and the next thing we know, Winger's diagnosed with a terminal illness. The pathos is well played, and I challenge anyone to emerge dry-eyed from the scene in which she says good-bye to her sons, esp to the one who is so angry and uncommunicative.
Everyone comes thru in the end, including the lumpish ex-husband, and Jack Nicholson, playing a free-spirited astronaut who is MacLaine's love interest, deservedly won an Oscar for this performance.
Excellent book by McMurtry; great movie by James L. Brooks.

As a Male, I Dig This Movie
This film is categorized as a chick flick...but hey it made me cry too. I was a kid when I saw this film. My cat had just died, and guess what her name was? ...EMMA!!!!
Well when Emma died in the film I almost lost it..
Shirley MacLaine said working with Debra Winger was hard to do as Debra was very gassy... ... Read more

Amazon.com

For all of its conventional plotting about an obsessive-compulsive curmudgeon (Jack Nicholson) who improves his personality at the urging of his gay neighbor (Greg Kinnear) and a waitress (Helen Hunt) who inspires his best behavior, this is one of the sharpest Hollywood comedies of the 1990s. Nicholson could play his role in his sleep (the Oscar he won should have gone to Robert Duvall for The Apostle), but his mischievous persona is precisely necessary to give heart to his seemingly heartless character, who is of all things a successful romance novelist. As a single mom with a chronically asthmatic young son, Hunt gives the film its conscience and integrity (along with plenty of wry humor), and she also won an Oscar for her wonderful performance. Greg Kinnear had to settle for an Oscar nomination (while cowriter-director James L. Brooks was inexplicably snubbed by Oscar that year), but his work was also singled out in the film's near-unanimous chorus of critical praise. It's questionable whether a romance between Hunt and the much older Nicholson is entirely believable, but this movie's smart enough--and charmingly funny enough--to make it seem endearingly possible. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (226)

Jack, Melvin; Melvin, Jack
Perhaps the most overrated film of the 90s, "As Good As It Gets" is still a quality movie about a man who is mean and surly seemingly for no other reason than because he is supposed to be. Jack Nicholson plays the obsessive-compulsive romance novelist Melvin Udall. Melvin lives across the hall, in a nice New York apartment building, from gay artist Simon Bishop (Greg Kinnear). Melvin also develops a crush on single mom waitress Carol Connelly (Helen Hunt) who has a perpetually sick child named Spencer (Jesse James).

Melvin is moved to be human by the trials he witnesses Simon and Carol experiencing. While he is never able to be entirely decent, Melvin thaws a few degrees by the end of the film to the point where he can maintain a normal relationship with two people who he, by all appearances, should despise.

And they all lived happily ever after. Sorry I couldn't help throwing that in there.

"As Good As It Gets" does have its strong points; but, it is plagued by one enormous problem that has a tendency to afflict these types of films: its own sense of self-righteousness. The movie practically points an accusatory finger at the viewer as if to say, "You little people probably hate the kind of people you see in this film and we're going to show you why you're wrong".

This film is also harmed by the overacting of Helen Hunt. I never understood the Helen Hunt buzz that went crazy in the late 90s. She always seemed to be someone who was in the right place at the right time and was not much better than an above average actress.

Of course the true saving grace of the film is Nicholson. Melvin Udall is the Nicholson character who I think he most likely is when the cameras are turned off. Not the OCD aspect to Melvin but the relentless disgust for other people. This is not necessarily a bad trait in a movie star.

This film is very similar to another film starring Helen Hunt called "Pay It Forward". If you can get over the 'holier than thou' attitude of either film, they're not that bad.

A BEAUTIFUL MOVIE.
It seems like year after year after year I am consistently disappointed with the films and actors chosen for Academy Award nominations. I usually don't even bother to watch the awards show because it's very rare that there is anyone I really want to win. 1998 was one of those rare exceptions...and it was because of this movie.

There is something about Helen Hunt that fascinates me. Not only is she able to display believable emotions but more importantly she always comes across as someone whom the viewer truly, deeply cares about. I am not embarrassed to admit that I cried on more than one occasion during this film. It was at times heartbreaking to watch her character suffer through so many difficult situations.

"As Good As It Gets" features the talents of Helen Hunt, Jack Nicholson, Cuba Gooding Jr., Greg Kinnear and the underrated Shirley Knight. There is, of course, a plot to the film but it seems secondary to what this movie really is about...human interaction. Jack Nicholson plays Melvin, a completely neurotic person who won't step on cracks in the sidewalk and actually brings his own silverware to the only restaurant he'll eat at. Helen Hunt plays Carol, a waitress with whom Melvin becomes quite smitten with. Simon (Greg Kinnear) is a gay tenant in Melvin's building and Kevin (Cuba Gooding Jr.) is his lover.

Circumstances come about which send Melvin, Carol and Simon on a road trip to remember. I would usually go more into detail about the plot mechanics but they seem almost trivial in a movie of this caliber. The true enjoyment is watching some of the finest actors of our time doing what they do best. You really want to see these characters find true happiness. If you are one of the few people who have yet to see this film then please, please go out and rent it...or better yet, buy a copy. You'll be crying with Helen Hunt, laughing hysterically at Jack Nicholson's antics and will feel amazingly fulfilled when the beautiful ending rolls around. "As Good As It Gets" is a modern classic.

pretty boring........yup........boring........(snore)
I watched this movie twice. Both times it sucked. I thought maybe if I watched it a second time, I would have better luck, but no. The first time I wanted to watch this movie bc I thought it was about the dog (who I could spoil all day!!!!). I don't even think it played too much of a role in that movie. There are a couple things I liked about this movie. Jack Nicholson's acting was nothing less than supurb. The dog was the best thing in the movie. I also liked the one line of the movie (as said in the title) 'What if this as good as it gets?'it was a shock of realism there and i liked that. Also, I loved the gay guy. He was...eh.....kinda funny..... I had to sit through everything else. If all that u wanta see Jack Nicholson in 'one of his best preformances' than u should get this movie. If not, don't waste good money on it.

"Come on in, and try not to ruin everything by being you."
AS GOOD AS IT GETS is...
...a beautiful character study.
...an Oscar-garnering comedy of 1997.
...one of the greatest comedies of not only the 90s, but perhaps of all time.
...sharp, witty, and satirical with praise-worthy performances from all cast members.

Jack Nicolson plays Melvin Udall, a middle-aged writer with obsessive-compulsive disorder and a heart of stone (or what you may first think). Melvin is bigoted, cranky, moody, and often times outright nasty. His morning routine consists of things done in methodical order, immaculate routines. One of these rituals includes his daily breakfast at the local diner, served by the one and only waitress who will tolerate him and his odd demands.

Her name is Carol Connelly and she's a single mother to an asthmatic young son. Hospital bills, as well as life's other expenses, have skyrocketed. Carol is having difficulty making ends meet and struggles on a daily basis. She temporarily leaves work to take care of her child.

Therefore, Melvin can't eat his breakfast.

Greg Kinnear plays Simon Bishop, Melvin's out-and-proud gay neighbor. When he's brutally beaten and left for dead, his trusty little pup is left in Melvin's care, despite the fact that the two men despise each other. Melvin's new babysitting job, along with Carol's absence from the diner, means that life is changing - and for the worst, he believes. Melvin's ordered, hermetic world is falling apart due to these conflicts.

These three entirely different people form a friendship and are soon able to see "the sunny side" of life, so to speak, due to the weaving and intersecting of their lives with each other's.

AS GOOD AS IT GETS is an enlightening comedy that the majority of critics agreed with. It is not a typical screwball comedy; it is instead a thought-provoking, earnest look at the lives of 3 people who at first seem to face normal hardships and tribulations. But, as this film progresses, we find that the characters, played by each of the actors with such grace and such astounding skill, are anything but ordinary. This fine film deserved every bit of praise it received from the critics and audiences alike. I've watched it countless times and it never grows tedious or boring, even when I memorize the dialogue.

AS GOOD AS IT GETS is one of those scarce treasures that finds the perfect and ideally comfortable balance between seriousness and humor. The realness of Melvin, Simon, and Carol is something almost undeniable. What can I say? I love it.

you should be made to touch my pubic hair
the part in the resteraunt where jack tells the adjacent table that they should be made to touch his pubic hair.........jack, baby, your beautiful ... Read more

Reviews (33)

"I can sing while I read! I am singing and reading both!"
What can I say about this film that hasn't already been said? I've seen it countless times, and I still love it. A few years ago I watched it on the suggestion of my mother, since it is one of her favorite movies and I loved it too. Albert Brooks' performance as Aaron is comedic genius. He had so many funny lines, and was an all-around likeable guy, despite the fact that he did come off as whiny on occasion. Holly Hunter played the part of Jane very well, and she seemed like a very real person struggling with her hectic work life and lack of a social life, especially in her scheduled crying jags. William Hurt totally had it in him to play the "all flash, no substance" news reporter who may be slightly lost in the big, bad world of news anchoring, but somehow managed to pull it off. Brooks, Hunter and Hurt all deserved to be given the awards that were unfairly received by other actors. This is, and will always be, one of my favorite movies.

Breaking Story!
TOM GRUNNICK, AARON ALTMAN and JANE CRAIG: BROADCAST NEWS:
A Handsome news anchor with an uncanny ability to sell the news, even if he is a little dim... A whiney story reporter with great integrity but a face that doesn't do well with focus groups... and the workaholic producer that can make anything happen and remain the love interest for the first two...

BROADCAST NEWS is James L. Brooks brilliant comedy about this network news love triangle in the beltway of Washington DC. With sharp, biting dialogue and creative performances, he created one of the best films of the last 50 years. All the while tracing the love triangle, we also see the behind the scenes operations of the news in action. A scene where Tom (William Hurt) anchors an emergency report with Jane (Holly Hunter) coaching him through his earpiece is an accomplished piece of cinema as has been seen for 50 years. And a scene where Aaron (Albert Brooks) anchors the weekend news while battling a serious case of flop sweat is a hysterically funny scene worth remembering. And that is the beauty of the writer/directors work. The scenes are never wasted as they serve both the love triangle as well as the network operations. Jack Nicholson and Joan Cusack give great support in small character roles.

A must for movie lovers everywhere. This was an early DVD release so it does not have much to offer other than a nice audio/video transfer. I would love to have a running commentary for this as Brooks did with AS GOOD AS IT GETS, but until that time, this is a great film worth a lot of study.

Very Funny!!
Being in the news business myself, I found this movie to be very funny. Some of the characters were actually characatures of some of the ego-driven, compulsive people I have met in the business. Brooks, Hunter and Hurt are the big three here and they work wonderfully together!!

Broadcast News - In Review
Amidst the hustle and bustle of a demanding newsroom a love triangle builds right in your living from this witty, romantic, comedy Broadcast News. Holly Hunter who plays a network news producer falls between pretty-boy anchorman William Hurt and Albert Brooks, who provides contrast as the gifted reporter. Director James L. Brooks brings this romantic comedy to life through the busy Washington D.C. pressroom.

With a glimpse into each of the characters' childhood the film brings us thirty years later to a Washington News Network that brings together are three amusing characters. Jane (Holly Hunter), swiftly finds herself attracted to the new anchorman, Tom (William Hurt) hired for his good looks and camera poise. Long time friend of Jane, Aaron (Albert Brooks) reveals his true feelings in the midst of Jane and Tom's relationship to create a tangled triangle. Cutbacks and an unrevealed lie send the trio in their separate ways to be reunited seven years later.

Holly Hunter is Jane Craig, a lovable, high-strung, control-freak news producer, who falls for a dim-witted, handsome and on the rise anchor William Hurt, who plays Tom Grenick. No role was more fitting then Aaron Altman performed by Albert Brooks, Brooks's made a hard working and witty veteran reporter complete with his brilliant performance. Pulling the film together with supporting roles was Lois Chiles, Joan Cusack, and Robert Provosky, not to mention a trivial role as senior anchorman played by Jack Nicholson.

The setting is the high-stakes world of network television news, and although the technology has changed since the mid 1980's when this was made, the politics and the cutthroat environment are still exactly the same. The soundtrack is mainly dialogue driven lacking any memorable hits. Mainly featuring scene based tunes to keep the film flowing allowing the focus to stay with the actors' performances.

Jane's dilemma is more in depth then looks versus love; it is an inner struggle tearing her apart. In one hand she has the handsome anchorman that is everything she cannot stand in media and the other is her long-time honest friend who still believes in integrity. Torn between the choice of integrity and selling the news she takes the new position and starts over.

The performance from the three actors was outstanding and the accurate portrayal of the network production puts you on set. This spunky, romantic, comedy is well deserving of its Seven Oscar nominations. This delightful James L. Brooks film will leave you wondering if it is not too late to consider a new occupation.

A well-acted romantic comedy
Holly Hunter is adorable as Jane Craig, a super-hyper, control-freak news producer, and she falls for empty-headed, handsome and up-and-coming anchor William Hurt, who plays Tom Grenick. This is much to the chagrin of Albert Brooks's character Aaron Altman, a hard-working reporter who is best friends with Jane; he also is in love with her himself.

The backdrop is the high-stakes world of network television news, and although the technology has changed since the mid 1980's when this was made, the politics and the cut-throat environment are still exactly the same. There are some very funny moments, including Brooks's hilarious attempt to anchor the weekend newscast. Ultimately, network cutbacks send Aaron, Jane and Tom their separate ways. There's a brief epilogue which takes place seven years later, when Tom is now the prime-time network news anchor. It's bittersweet, as both he and Aaron are married and Jane is involved with a new beau; the three of them are together for a moment, and there are still feelings from both men toward Jane (and vice-versa, to a degree).

The three stars give very strong performances in this film, and the network news background is on the money. Robert Prosky (who starred in "Hill Street Blues" at the time) does a good job with his bit part as the executive producer, although Jack Nicholson was miscast as network anchor--it's a bit part, so I'm not sure why a major star like Nicholson was chosen, and although he's a remarkable actor, it just doesn't work. On the whole, a very good film...between four and five stars. The DVD looks good and sounds fine, although there are no extras. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Originally conceived and shot as a musical, James L. Brooks's(Broadcast News) comedy of life in Hollywood remains a perceptive andvery funny film. A loose Nick Nolte stars as Matt Hobbs, a struggling actor whomust find work to support his spoiled 6-year-old daughter (cutie pie WhittniWright) when his estranged wife (Tracey Ullman) dumps her. Brooks createswonderful characters in this insightful look at how the movie business haschanged--from strong talent (represented by Hobbs) to image and test screenings.Hobbs's angel--professionally and privately--is embodied by a ditsy productionassistant (Joely Richardson) to an egoistical producer (Albert Brooks, hilariousas always). Ironically, the movie's songs by Prince were excised when they didnot test well. What's left lacks the heights the songs might have provided(especially in the finale), but with Brooks's talent for giving even minorcharacters juicy dialogue, I'll Do Anything is a light comedy worthseeking out. --Doug Thomas ... Read more

Reviews (8)

GREAT VARIETY! JEANNE, WHAT A GAL!
Very entertaining not knowing what the next moment held. Matt deserved what he got, not knowing his daughter. Jeanne! A great performance and all from a small package. So much talent displayed. A wonderful cast. I absolutely LOVED IT.

A good idea was in there somewhere.
There certainly are flashes of brilliance in "I'll Do Anything". It conjures up some wicked satire and includes an extremely talented cast. However, this is a film whose flaws far outweigh its high points.

Nick Nolte plays Matt, a Hollywood actor who has gotten a few decent roles but whose current career is struggling. Tracy Ullman is hilarious as his estranged wife, Beth. Together they are the parents of a young daughter named Jeannie (Whittni Wright). Matt has moved on with his life and, being the caring father that he is, has little interest in ever seeing his daughter. It's been two years since he last saw her, when he gets a call from Beth. She needs him to come out and take Jeannie back to Hollywood for a few weeks. Once Matt gets there, however, he finds out that Beth is actually going to prison for several years and now he is solely responsible for taking care of their daughter.

So not even 30 minutes into the movie, Tracy Ullman's character is already gone. As if that's not bad enough, look at this absolutely amazing list of actors who have about five minutes or less of screen time: Joely Fisher, Vicki Lewis, Anne Heche, Ian McKellen, Jake Busey, Rosie O'Donnell and even Woody Harrelson. What in the world were they thinking by showing up glimpses of all these people without fleshing out any of their characters?!!

That's not the worst part though. Both the father and daughter characters are extremely unlikable. Extremely. Matt Hobbs is a self-absorbed jerk throughout the entire film. His daughter is even worse. In fact, I have been racking my brains to come up with a child in a movie I have disliked more. So far, I haven't been able to come up with one. Jeannie is one of the most shrill, spoiled and obnoxious little girls ever put on film. This all continues up until the last five minutes of the movie. Then, completely out of the blue, both of these characters turn on a dime and become very charming and loving. Sorry, but their transformation was too quick for me to buy.

Along the way, James Brooks (writer/director) is at least able to give us some funny moments. Once Ullman's character is gotten rid of, the humor baton is passed to Julie Kavner. Her character, Nan, has this uncanny ability to always tell people the brutal truth. She works for Burke (Albert Brooks), an egotistical movie producer who always seems to say and do the wrong thing. Combine Nan's scathing honesty with Burke's chronic bad manners and you get a cute couple.

With a different father and daughter, "I'll Do Anything" could have been a nice little sleeper. However, it is unable to overcome the unappealing attitudes of Matt and Jeannie.

Nolte is a good actor
I'LL DO ANYTHING showed me that Nolte is a good actor. As soon as I realized he was doing a dandy job acting his role--luckless actor--the movie carried on quite well without my analysis. Nolte has been swirling in the Hollywood maelstrom. His life has been designed to believe that acting is the most important matter in the world. Then,as often they do, the vissicitudes of life dump his 5 year old, hard-to-handle, daughter into the scenery. She is a precocious stick of dynamite. The story takes a few swipes at the cheapside of Hollywood. Otherwise, it is no expose. It is full of fun and healthy laughter.

Heart-warming Hollywood
Originally shot as a musical with songs by Sinead O'Connor and Prince, this remarkable pic tested so badly in pre-release that they excised ALL the songs and dance numbers. You'd never miss em'. Nick Nolte is an earnest actor struggling to make it in L.A. when his ex-wife drops the bombshell that their five year-old daughter (who Nolte barely knows) will now be coming to live with him. You thought that kid from "The Sixth Sense" was good? Wait til' you see THIS little spitfire! Julie Kavner is amazing as the head of a test-screening/marketing company, who spews truth (and uncanny insights) like bullets from an AK-47. The real draw here though, is the rocky and tender relationship that develops between Nolte and his young daughter, against the backdrop of a gutless and brainless movie business.

One of the worst of Nick Nolte's movies.
I like Nick Nolte. The only reason why I saw this movie is because of him. However, I have to say that this is the worst acting I have ever seen from his any other movies. Very often, it was awkard and unnatural. Another problem is other supporting actresses and actors. They don't act like real. They acted like they were just out from acting school. The whole plot is not really well coordinated (I won't say anything about it, since it is going to be a spoiler). The movie was boring to watch. If there is a reason why I hung on till the end, it was just to see how it ended (and the thought that I paid money for this movie). As a plus, you can somehow get some slightest idea of what is going on behind making movies (selection of actors/acresses/kids). There a few nice phrases which come out of Nolte. If you are a big Nolte fan, and want to see above plus things, you may want to see this movie. Otherwise, this movie is boring big time. ... Read more