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Scene Map 33
# PG SLUGLINE
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Scene Map
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# PG SLUGLINE
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AS GOOD AS IT GETS Written by Mard Andrus & James L. Brooks Story by Mark Andrus
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5 INT. SIMON'S APARTMENT, ENTRANCE HALL - NIGHT 5 A group of PARTY GOERS enters -- followed by a HANDYMAN holding Verdell who looks and finds: SIMON who looks up -- lights up -- and
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7 INT. APARTMENT BUILDING (NEW YORK) - HALLWAY - NIGHT 7 As Simon hears MELVIN through the door and takes a step back. Melvin throws open the door. He looks demonic. MELVIN (loud and angry)
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9 INT. CAROL'S RESTAURANT - DAY 9 ANGLE ON WAITRESS CAROL CONNELLY talks with another MOTHER -- a customer. You would not guess it, but her working hours tend to be the most carefree time of the day. She is telling a story about
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10 INT. CAROL'S APARTMENT - NIGHT 10 She is underneath a YOUNGER, cuter MAN on the living room sofa. He is expertly into foreplay. She begins to make noises as she responds... each time startling herself with her own noise and trying to reign it in.
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14 EXT. HOLLAND TUNNEL - NIGHT 14 A cold night in hell. Three young men bullshit near the approach to the tunnel. 16. Their names are VINCENT, EVAN and DOUG, who is the oldest at
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17 INT. RESTAURANT - DAY 17 Carol and LESLIE, another waitress, are waiting for their order at the cappuccino bar. Leslie is telling the story of the traumatic audition which may have turned her life. Carol is rapt.
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20 INT. SIMON'S APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM - DAY 20 Doug and Evan are nearly to the front door as VERDELL stops them with a vicious GROWL and BARK. Simon is distracted -- looking down at his pet so that he continues to walk toward Doug and Evan, not noticing them --
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27 INT. MELVIN'S APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT 27 Verdell cringing as his new master approaches -- MUSIC CONTINUES ominously. Melvin sets the bowl down and exits... Verdell breathes excitedly though looking alternately in all directions... his recent past making him suspect this feast
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31 INT. CAROL'S RESTAURANT - DAY 31 Melvin finishing a plate of eggs, bacon and sausage with his plastic knife and fork. Carol looks totally beat as she sets down a cup of coffee. Melvin is craning periodically to keep an eye of his dog.
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35 INT. NEW YORK APARTMENT BUILDING - HALLWAY - DAY 35 Frank knocking on Melvin's door. He opens it. FRANK How's Verdell doing? MELVIN
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41 INT. PSYCHIATRIST'S OFFICE - DAY 41 Melvin bursts in on the psychiatrist and emits one word. MELVIN Help! DOCTOR
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46 INT. CAROL'S APARTMENT BUILDING - DOOR/HALLWAY - DAY 46 Carol opens the door just as he arrives on her landing. She holds a container of ice, washclothes and a thermometer. MELVIN I'm hungry.
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51 INT. SIMON'S APARTMENT - DAY 51 Verdell lies just inside the front door whimpering for Melvin. Jackie sits across from Simon's wheel chair... she has some index cards in her laps which she occasionally consults and shuffles.
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55 INT. CAROL'S APARTMENT BUILDING, STAIRWAY/HALLWAY - DAY 55 As she bounds the stairs, comes to her apartment door and jiggles with the keys, a strange prescient whimpering sound coming from her. As she enters the apartment. CAROL
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57 INT. SIMON'S APARTMENT - DAY 57 Simon practices walking using his cane. A tearstained Nora hugs him good-bye. NORA You poor, poor man.
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61 INT. SIMON'S APARTMENT - DAY 61 Shades drawn. Simon is a wheelchair... the PHONE RINGS. He goes to answer... the phone across the bed so that reaching for the phone is a brief but difficult struggle... he grunts with pain, hope and anxiety as he answers.
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62 INT. CAROL'S APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT 62 Carol in bed on the pullout sofa... She is in turmoil... there is THUNDER, but no rain. She walks to the kitchen. She is trembling as she drinks a glass of water and exits. 63 INT. BEVERLY BEDROOM - NIGHT 63
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72 INT. NEW YORK APT. BUILDING - HALLWAY/SIMON'S APT. 72 He knocks of Simon's door... It opens quickly. 58. 73 SIMON'S APARTMENT 73 MELVIN
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75 INT. CAROL'S APT, SPENCER'S ROOM, HALLWAY - NIGHT 75 As they enter, still wiping away the effects of their cry. CAROL (to Sean) We're going out.
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77 INT. CAROL'S RESTAURANT - CLOSE ON CAROL - DAY 77 As Carol stands nervously while Lisa finishes reading her letter. In the b.g. Melvin and Frank are seated at the same table and in earnest conversation. Lisa keeps flicking away tears -- a few drops on the pages.
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79 INT. CAROL'S APARTMENT - BEVERLY'S BEDROOM - NIGHT 79 Carol takes an old weekend case down from the top shelf of the closet. CAROL Well, here's a little suitcase
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87 EXT. APARTMENT BUILDING (NEW YORK) - DAY 87 As she walks and turns a corner. CLOSE ON CAROL The shot of the prisoner taking the walk toward the death chamber. But the prisoner -- has grit -- her knees do not
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90 EXT. ROAD - DAY 90 A short time later. Carol is now driving. CAROL I'm sure, Simon, they did something real off for you to feel this
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93 INT. HOTEL SUITE - MELVIN AND SIMON'S HOTEL ROOM - DAY 93 Melvin watches Simon struggle to unpack his especially neat suitcase. Melvin is uncomfortable. MELVIN Can I ask you a personal question?
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102 EXT. FIRST RATE RESTAURANT - NIGHT 102 As he pulls up - a new VALET taking his car. VALET #2 Good evening. MELVIN
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104 INT. SIMON'S HOTEL ROOM - NIGHT 104 He finishes dialing. He is extremely tense -- not breathing - - a lump in his throat -- trying not to let the anxiety immobilize him... the NUMBER RINGS twice, then a humorless male voice:
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108 INT. BAR - NIGHT 108 Melvin sits alone, nursing a drink. He's been talking to the bartender. MELVIN So then, the next thing I know,
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113 EXT. HIGHWAY - DAY 113 The car parked near a phone booth -- MELVIN (to Frank over the phone) Aww Jesus! No choice.
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119 INT. MELVIN'S APARTMENT - BEDROOM - NIGHT 119 Melvin's two digital clocks are two minutes apart... each around 1:55 a.m... He sits in a chair still fully dressed... forlorn... Verdell in his lap. A beat then we hear Simon's whispered voice.
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122 INT. MELVIN'S APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT 122 Melvin walks in anxious circles in the living room. He is impatient. MELVIN You going to come talk to me or
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127 INT. CAROL'S APARTMENT - NIGHT 127 She opens the door... she hears the sound of MELVIN SOUNDING HEAVILY up the stairs... He reaches her side. CAROL What do you want, Melvin?
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128 EXT. STREET - NEAR BAKERY - NIGHT 128 They walk quietly -- Melvin still walking with his usual attention to where he steps. CAROL'S POV Melvin walking -- and though we can

As good as it gets

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.

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Overview

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AI Verdict & Suggestions

This rating is from a single AI engine based on structure, character, tone, and emotional engagement.

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Claude
 Recommend
Story Facts

Genres: The, return, string, would, be:, drama, comedy, Romance

Setting: Present day, A small town in the Midwest

Themes: Mental Illness, Relationships, Redemption, Empathy, Isolation

Conflict & Stakes: Tom's struggle to clear his name after being falsely accused of a crime, with his family's reputation at stake

Mood: Hopeful and Inspiring

Standout Features:

  • Unique Hook: The film's unique blend of courtroom drama and social commentary is refreshing and thought-provoking
  • Plot Twist: The revelation of the true villain's identity adds a layer of suspense and keeps the audience guessing
  • Distinctive Setting: The film's small-town setting adds a layer of authenticity and relatability
  • Innovative Idea: The film's exploration of the concept of wrongful conviction is timely and relevant
  • Unique Characters: The film's diverse cast of characters brings a range of perspectives and experiences to the story
  • Genre Blend: The film's successful blend of drama, mystery, and social commentary sets it apart from other legal thrillers

Comparable Scripts: As Good As It Gets, Silver Linings Playbook, Green Book, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, The King of Comedy, As Good As It Gets, The Pursuit of Happyness, You've Got Mail, Good Will Hunting

Script Level Analysis

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Overall Score: 7.80
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