18 "As Good as it Gets" (Formerly, "Old Friends") (Greg Kinnear - Movies)
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This article is from the Greg Kinnear FAQ, by Chris Clark crclark@dreamscape.com with numerous contributions by others.
18 "As Good as it Gets" (Formerly, "Old Friends") (Greg Kinnear - Movies)
You can blame this movie for Greg's decision to leave "Later." After
filming for "A Smile Like Yours" wrapped at the end of August, the offer
for this movie, which was to start filming in September, came in and Greg
felt it was one he couldn't refuse. How could he pass up the chance to
star with Jack Nicholson (along with Helen Hunt) and be directed by James
L. Brooks?
In August 1997, the movie underwent a name change. Brooks never did like
the original title and though he said in EW that he didn't like the new
name much either, it was more in context with the movie than the former
title. Fans feel that the movie had better be good, since the new title
opens itself to all sorts of insulting review headlines.
The title turned out not be a problem with the movie making many Best of
1997 lists and award nominations being handed out left and right. Among
the more prominent awards, Greg won Best Supporting Actor from the National
Board of Review and nominations for a Golden Globe (lost to Burt Reynolds),
the Chicago Film Critics Award (lost to Burt again), Screen Actor's Guild
and the Academy Award, the last two yet to take place.
After opening in the number 3 spot, as of this writing, AGAIG is still
hanging in the top ten and has grossed well over the $100 million mark.
Movie viewers have given it a high satisfaction rating. Critics had mixed
reactions, punching holes in the plot and execution, but most agreed that
the acting was first rate.
From EW: "Playing Nicholson's down-on-his-luck gay neighbor, Simon Bishop,
...[Kinnear]...steered clear of what could have been a portrait in
self-pity--and more than held his own with Nicholson and Helen Hunt."
From Time Magazine: "Kinnear (born two days after Hunt) proves his
charming turn in Sabrina was no fluke."
From CNN: "Melvin's gay neighbor, a painter named Simon, is played by Greg
Kinnear, who gives a real, honest-to-God performance instead of riding on
his "Talk Soup," regular-guy charisma, and he does the best work in the
movie. This is no small accomplishment when you consider the cast."
"Kinnear is great when Simon attempts to dredge up the anger to
properly put Melvin in his place. His ire rises to a peak and then slips
away, as if he can't really keep a grip on it. It's a tempered, forgiving
performance."
From BoxOffice: "Greg Kinnear, he of the Olympian looks but goofy nature,
draws from some third source in his affecting creation of a lonely gay
artist who a sad fate draws into the writer's and waitress' lives."
Greg has been basking in the limelight, appearing on numerous talk shows
and in many magazines and making the European and Australian promotional
tours for the movie with Jack. After receiving the Academy Award
nomination, however, backlash from some sources feeling that there were gay
roles more deserving of a nomination has tarnished an otherwise exceptional
period for Greg. Earlier, many gay organizations and individuals felt
Greg's portrayal was honest, affecting and non-stereotypical, but recently,
just as many are saying the opposite. While this controversy doesn't bode
well for Greg's Oscar chances, it didn't seem to effect his chances for new
movie roles.
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