By SHAWN P. O'LEARY
Staff Writer

Carol, played by Hunt, constantly struggles to obtain adequate health care for her ailing child. Melvin (Nicholson) wins Carol over by providing her son with health care. Simon (Kinear), the neighbor, and an artist, is assaulted by one of his models and suffers financial ruin due to lack of medical insurance. In a desperate attempt to salvage his life, Simon is forced to travel to his parents' home to ask for money. Melvin is volunteered by Simon's agent, played by Gooding, to drive Simon to his home. Melvin accepts on the condition that Carol goes along as well. The movie enters its comedic high point at this stage.

Though Melvin suffers from mental illness and makes frequent comments that cross the line of decency, Carol warms up to Melvin throughout the early stages of the movie. On more than one occasion Carol intervenes in situations that would have otherwise resulted in Melvin's expulsion from the restaurant. Though the eventual romance between Melvin and Carol appears charming, it does seem to be a bit of a stretch.

Billed as a romantic comedy, "As Good As It Gets" delivers. It is light hearted and easy to follow and has few, if any, slow points. Moreover, many in the audience particularly enjoyed the frequent close ups on the tiny dog owned by Kinear's character. If a rating of one reflects "Attack of the Killer Tomatoes" and a ten is representative of "insert epic movie of choice here" then "As Good As It Gets" scores an eight.