Why so much hype?

Best movie ever!

As Good As It Gets

The first must-see film of the year.

I ask because, if that is the actual Pimentel giving the speech in the included extras then it's pretty clear that the director intentionally cast someone much "better looking" by Hollywood standards than the real person to play the part; which really undermines the message. As one who hates discrimination, including discrimination against those who don't look or act "normal," I find it really sad that even a film about combating discrimination could not have as the central character someone a bit overweight. As if an audience would not buy the message if it were delivered by someone not "handsome" enough. The movie has a great story line, progress towards equality and opportunity win me over every time, but that casting choice kills it for me. On the other hand, if that is not the real Pimentel in the extras, and Ron Livingston does look like him, then I do recommend this.

Fantastic script quirky at times and heart wrenching at others. Fantastic Cast and great acting across the board,, Everyone should watch and enjoy this great movie and story!! Yul Vazquez character is right on, and the character of "ART" what a fantastic job congratulations to Micheal sheen. Ron Livingston is absolutely spot on throughout. Melissa George does a great job,, but the list of cast members in this movie is absolutely great from top to bottom they all were wonderful. To put it in just a few words the storyline is great and brilliantly written, you will laugh, cry and come away from it with a new point of view, and Im not sure if it was in theaters or not but it absolutely SHOULD BE!!

Generally I enjoy writing comments, but there are two situations where it carries some substantial qualms. One is when a filmmaker sends his/her film to me for commenting. The risks of this are obvious, because I have two audiences: my regular readers who look for something interesting and ideally illuminating, and the filmmaker who I want to encourage.The other case is when I have a bad film of a real life, presumably a noble life. I've watched two recently, both true stories of broken boys who died in the wild. Here we have something different: a living man, who I assume is considered to have done worthy things. I also assume that major facts are more or less true.But its a disaster as a movie, and because it has no value reflects badly on a life. The basic problem of course is that what makes this man worthy of a film cannot make a worthy film. But the problems are deeper.Its at least three films. One is about his relationship to his mother which is filmed in a fantastic and stylized manner with voice-over narration. A second is about his love affair. As with most such stories, this depends on the various attractions of the actress. Here it is a pretty girl, who is unique in being an Australian actress who cannot act. But she is pretty and sexy. This story works against the biography because even with her deficiencies (both as actress and character), she outshines her man.The third movie is about the guy and his work, annotated by his friendships with the "handicapped," plus his own handicap.In a better film, these three stories (plus the handicapping) would be integrated. They would weave into and enhance each other, warping suggestive texture and opening lacy opportunities for us to relate our own urges/lives.But this doesn't.Ted's Evaluation -- 1 of 3: You can find something better to do with this part of your life.

Music Within is simply in turns hilarious, moving, and a really great way to mix a great message with a very entertaining film.Superb performances throughout - Livingston carries this lightly and easily - and Martin Sheen is absolutely unrecognizable from his role as Tony Blair in the Queen and does a very good job.This true story of the fight for rights for disabled citizens is not a heavy diatribe - it truly will have you laughing and cheering along.Nice doses of cynicism, nothing too saccharine, and a great job by all involved.Highly recommended.