Benevolent dividends

by Jim Cannon

The Beatles sang about it in the lyrics of "All You Need is Love." People need to "give" love just as much as they need to "receive" love. Many people "give" or "receive" acts of love conditionally; race and lifestyle are examples of conditions. The conditions are really artificial barriers which separate, segregate and kill the possibility of love.

The creation of human life is generally symbolic of love. Throughout the life cycle, we are loved, then learn to love our fellow man, also. Various levels of emotions and intimacy are present in each relationship and can be complex, even to those people involved. From the time of birth we are loved; we are loved by our parents, and by our relatives. As humans age we learn to share love, notably with parents and relatives. The emotion just described is special within each identified group. Many of us will also develop a relationship with a spouse or partner, revealing another special emotion. Another kind of love exists, which is also very special. The love for mankind in modern times is well depicted in the movie "As Good As It Gets."

As I stated earlier, many people do not allow themselves to bond with other people, based on a definable difference. The movie focuses on three characters, each unmarried, each of whom carry a social stigma. In addition to each character's initial "problem," they each are victims of another misfortune: the combination adds interesting dynamics to the story.

Melvin is an obsessive-compulsive novelist who is rude and obnoxious to everyone. Even when Melvin tries to say something kind, his phrasing is abrasive. Simon is a gay artist who is Melvin's neighbor. Carol is a waitress in a restaurant near Melvin's apartment. Her son suffers from undiagnosed breathing problems.

The movie begins with several scenes showing Melvin and Simon having neighborly contact. Melvin is openly demeaning toward Simon because of Simon's sexual preference. Melvin continually attempts to provoke Simon to respond defensively, but Simon is resilient to each of Melvin's remarks.

Melvin has a daily routine of going to a local restaurant for breakfast. He insists on sitting at the same table, and will only allow Carol to be his server. Carol tolerates Melvin's obnoxious behavior, but only until Melvin makes a hurtful statement about Carol's son's illness.

Melvin returns to the restaurant the following day and attempts to learn more about Carol's son's illness. Carol is a single mother who, working as a waitress, continues to struggle with finding competent medical care for her son. Carol, still bruised by Melvin's comments from the previous day, explains her son's illness to Melvin.

Simon is seriously injured during a home invasion robbery, leaving him hospitalized. Melvin is coerced to keep Simon's dog while Simon is in the hospital. Prior to Simon's misfortune, Melvin was quite candid regarding his feelings for Simon's dog. This act of kindness by Melvin is a turning point in the movie.

Melvin depends on psychiatric help with his disorder. After Melvin is declined an appointment with his psychiatrist, he decides that future improvement might depend solely on self-motivation, asking, "What if this is as good as it gets?"

Melvin wants to share his love for mankind, but his razor-sharp tongue always overshadows his efforts. Through his network of acquaintances, Melvin is able to share an act of philanthropy for Carol that leaves her confused. In one respect, Carol is overwhelmed that her son is about to get premium medical care. Carol also struggles to accept the medical care when she finds that Melvin is the benefactor. Carol refers to Melvin as "a crazy man," and questions his motivation.

Simon returns from the hospital to learn that he is bankrupt. Melvin cannot resist the temptation to ask Simon where his gay friends are when help is needed. In his awkward manner, Melvin was trying to give Simon "a boost." Just as Melvin realizes that he offended Carol when trying to show compassion, he also realizes that he needs to try another approach at gaining Simon's friendship.

Melvin's benevolence for Carol's son is not an act of offering love for mankind, but rather an act of reciprocation. Melvin is genuinely appreciative of Carol's service in the restaurant, and has found a way to "give something back" to her.

Melvin continues to search for some way of helping Simon recover from depression. Melvin's introverted compassion for mankind causes him to suggest an act that will "cure" Simon's homosexuality.

An event causes Melvin, Carol, and Simon to meet. Each of the characters shares personal insights on life by telling stories of impacting experiences. During the time the characters spend together, each, in their own unique way, demonstrates an ability to give something special to another person, even though none of the individuals shares any social similarities.

Melvin eventually discovers the wonderful feeling of reward for his acts of kindness. Carol tells Melvin that no one person has ever done so much to improve her life. Simon tells Melvin that he loves Melvin, especially because of another benevolent act that will surprise you.

Melvin, who earlier had been abrasive with Carol and Simon, responds to each of the characters with remarkable sincerity. Melvin tells Carol that she makes him "want to be a better man." Melvin tells Simon "if that (Simon's love) is all I wanted out of life, I'd be the happiest man alive." Each of Melvin's responses symbolizes his newly found internal happiness, after he allows himself to see people without stereotyping.

After watching this movie, I hope you will begin to look beyond the stereotypes that are routinely applied. Reassess your views. To quote a line of Simon's in the movie, "If you look at someone long enough, you will discover their humanity."

Reference

Brooks, James L. As Good As It Gets. Videocassette.

Gracie Films Productions, 1998. 139 min.

Return to English 122 syllabus
Return to English 122 main page
Questions? Brian McKinney (bmckinne@home.com)