There are no grand scenes, no touching feats, no famous people and historical events, no hilarity, and it's all about three characters that drive the plot forward. You're not watching one story, you're experiencing three different characters. What they do in the movies is what they could possibly do in life. Because it is natural and reasonable, it is easy to resonate with the audience, which is very important for romance dramas.
One of the features of the film is the characters. Writers with cleanliness and obsessive-compulsive disorder are not uncommon in movies, but this one does a great job. Jack Nicholson's series of small actions, such as locking the door, dodging on the sidewalk, carefully prepared CD records, etc. are all very exciting. Helen Hunt is also a good waitress, her active and autistic tendencies a perfect counterpoint to the writer's character. And her image is more universal, more familiar and understandable to the audience. In contrast, Greg Kinnear's gay painter is far inferior.
Another feature is the well-behaved puppy in the film. He should really be given an award for the best animal performance, not only can he be considerate of the owner's mind, but also imitate various difficult movements. Speaking of awards, the film won quite a few awards in 1998, and it's really worth watching.
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