A misanthropic author, a single mother and waitress, and a gay artist form an unlikely friendship after the artist is assaulted in a robbery.
Acting
Nicholson and Hunt both won Oscars—deservedly.
Writing
Dialogue that stings, then unexpectedly heals.
Direction
Brooks lets moments breathe—and they land harder.
Director
James L. Brooks
Jack Nicholson
Melvin Udall
Helen Hunt
Carol Connelly
Greg Kinnear
Simon Bishop
Cuba Gooding Jr.
Frank Sachs
Shirley Knight
Beverly Connelly
Jesse James
Spencer Connelly
Yeardley Smith
Jackie Simpson
Lupe Ontiveros
Nora Manning
Skeet Ulrich
Vincent Lopiano
Harold Ramis
Dr. Bettes
Lawrence Kasdan
Dr. Green
Bibi Osterwald
Neighbor Woman
Ross Bleckner
Carl
Bernadette Balagtas
Caterer
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The 'better man' line was almost cut—Nicholson fought to keep it, then improvised the delivery. It became the film's most quoted moment.
Helen Hunt's $2 million salary made her the highest-paid actress in Hollywood at the time—a headline that aged badly given she earned less than Nicholson.
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