As good as it gets


World Building
  • Physical environment: The world depicted in the screenplay is primarily contemporary New York City and its various settings, including apartment buildings, restaurants, hospitals, and streets. The physical environment is ordinary and mundane, with no unique characteristics or elements that stand out.
  • Culture: The cultural element is focused on the interactions between the characters, showing the daily life of people in a metropolitan area. There are hints of socioeconomic status, mental health stigma, societal values, and relationships between family members.
  • Society: The societal structure is not explicitly stated in most scenes but is implied through the power dynamics and interactions between characters. There are glimpses of a class distinction and societal stigmatization towards mental health. There are also non-traditional societal structures in some scenes, such as non-committal relationships.
  • Technology: Technology is not a significant aspect present in the screenplay. There are only mentions of characters having phones in their apartments and Melvin working from home.
  • Characters influence: The physical environment, cultural elements, societal structure, and technology all shape the characters' experiences and actions. They affect the atmosphere of each scene and contribute to the tension, emotions, and conflicts between the characters. The characters' personal situations, such as Simon's medical bills and Carol's sick child, are also a significant influence on their actions and feelings.
  • Narrative contribution: The worldbuilding elements serve as a backdrop for the character interactions and their emotional journeys. They establish the atmosphere and set the stage for the conflicts and tensions that arise between the characters. While the physical environment is not unique, the cultural and societal elements add depth to the narrative by exploring themes such as mental health stigma, class distinction, and relationships between family members.
  • Thematic depth contribution: The worldbuilding elements contribute to the thematic depth of the screenplay by highlighting the characters' personal struggles, societal values, and emotional journeys. They showcase the challenges of facing mental health stigma, exploring non-traditional societal structures, and dealing with personal trauma and loss. The world elements add complexity to the characters' experiences and emotions, creating a layered and nuanced portrayal of their lives.
Voice Analysis
Summary: The writer's voice in the screenplay is characterized by sharp and witty dialogue, naturalistic and realistic narrative description, and efficient and concise direction. The writer focuses on character psychology and motivation, and uses vivid sensory details to enhance the mood and depth of the screenplay.
Voice Contribution The writer's voice contributes to the script by creating authentic and relatable characters, establishing a realistic and immersive world, and exploring complex themes such as emotional growth, vulnerability, and the power of human connections. The dialogue and narrative description reflect the characters' personalities and motivations, while the direction adds urgency and tension to the scenes.
Best Representation Scene 12 - Melvin's breakdown at the psychiatrist
Best Scene Explanation Scene 12 showcases the author's unique voice in the screenplay. The sharp and acerbic dialogue is delivered in quick wit and repartee, displaying the distinct voices of the characters. The narrative description is efficient and minimalistic, focusing on necessary actions and emotions. The scene direction is understated yet evocative, adding depth and tension to the interactions between the characters.
Top Correlations and patterns found in the scenes:

Pattern Explanation
Positive correlation between Emotional Impact and Overall Grade Scenes with higher Emotional Impact tend to receive higher Overall Grades.
Negative correlation between Dialogue and High Stakes Scenes with more Dialogue tend to have lower High Stakes scores.
Positive correlation between Move Story Forward and Conflict Scenes that move the story forward tend to have higher Conflict scores.
Positive correlation between Character Changes and Emotional Impact Scenes that show character changes tend to have higher Emotional Impact.
Negative correlation between Tone and Move Story Forward Scenes with darker tones tend to have lower scores in Moving the Story Forward.


Here are different Tropes found in the screenplay

Trope Trope Details Trope Explanation
Pet the DogMelvin takes care of Verdell, showing his caring side.Pet the Dog is a trope where a character, usually a villain or an antagonist, does a good deed or shows a moment of kindness to an animal or another character to make them seem less antagonistic or evoke audience sympathy for them. An example of this trope is in The Dark Knight, where the Joker saves Rachel Dawes before blowing up the hospital.
Tension-Cutting LaughterMelvin's discomfort at a fancy restaurant causes embarrassment, leading Carol to leave in tears.Tension-Cutting Laughter is a trope where a moment of tension is broken by a comedic moment that lightens the mood. An example of this trope is in The Avengers, where the Hulk smashes Loki multiple times after he claims to be a god. The comedic moment breaks the tension in the scene.
Love ConfessionMelvin confesses his sentiments towards Carol, compliments her sincerely and awkwardly kisses her.Love Confession is a trope where a character confesses their feelings to another character. An example of this trope is in Friends, where Chandler confesses his love to Monica.
Odd FriendshipSimon hires Vincent as a model for his artwork, leading to a tense scene between the two.Odd Friendship is a trope where two characters who are very different become friends. An example of this trope is in The Odd Couple, where two single men with opposite personalities share an apartment and have to deal with their differences.
Damsel in DistressCarol is interrupted by her sick child while in a passionate moment with a younger man.Damsel in Distress is a trope where a female character is placed in a dangerous or vulnerable situation and needs rescuing or help from another character, often a male character. An example of this trope is in Sleeping Beauty, where Princess Aurora is put under a sleeping curse and needs Prince Phillip to rescue her.


Memorable lines in the script:

Scene Number Line
26 Melvin: You make me want to be a better man.
6 Simon: If you look at someone long enough, you discover their humanity.
12 Melvin: What if this is as good as it gets?
14 Melvin: I think of a man and take away reason and accountability.
2 Melvin: '... Son-of-a-bitch-pansy-assed-stool-pusher.'
Some Loglines to consider:

An unlikable man terrorizes a dog and causes trouble at a restaurant before following a sick child to the hospital and creating combative situations in this dramatic film.
A man's ritualistic cleaning routine is interrupted by a confrontation over his mistreatment of a dog, leading to a series of unpredictable events and awkward relationships.
Simon's financial struggles and health issues collide with Melvin's erratic behavior and desires in this tense and emotional drama.
Melvin seeks help from his psychiatrist but loses control in a public restaurant, sparking a series of escalating confrontations with those around him.
Carol confronts Melvin about his intentions and they share an unexpected kiss, leaving them unsure how to move forward in this complex and challenging film.