As Good As It Gets Udall Analysis

Is This Really "As Good As It Gets?"

Melvin Udall is a mean spirited, rude, unpleasant old man who lives alone and has never connected with anyone. His obsessive-compulsive disorder along with his fear of germs, cracks and fears of intimacy has raised a wall around him keeping others out. Mr. Udall feels comfortable alone, that's what he knows and he also has a keen way of putting off anyone with whom he comes into contact. His constant ritual performances and anxiety issues prevent him from living a normal life. Melvin Udall is racist, homophobic, sexist, narcissistic, as well as showing dislike for the Jewish faith and suffering from obsessive compulsive disorder. As a man living in Manhattan, New York, Melvin Udall lives an abnormal
He has his own schedule, including eating at the same restaurant, with the same waitress, Carol, with his own silverware daily. His rituals include locking the door and turning on and off the lights multiple times, washing his hands with soap and extremely hot water, and never stepping on any cracks on the sidewalk or in buildings. His neighbors detest his negative attitude and complete disregard for other people. Simon Bishop, the gay, artist who lives next door takes the brunt of Melvins offensive behavior. After Simon is seriously injured after an attack in his apartment, Melvin ends up with his dog,
Melvin finds it in his heart to truly love someone or something other than himself. After spending a lifetime alone, certain no one could possibly understand his odd behaviors; Verdell comes into Melvin's life. Verdell shows unconditional love and Melvin returns those feelings. When Verdell begins to show odd behavior himself, Melvin notices even though he has never been able to read people. After scolding him, "Don't be like me. Don't you be like me" (Sakai et al. 1997)! Melvin begins to reward the dog with bacon for his behavior, showing he accepts Verdells peculiarities, just as he hopes others will accept