LC Movie Test: As Good As It Gets

Somehow Melvin, a mean, old man who suffers from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Carol, a kind waitress who’s son suffers from severe asthma, and Simon, a talented artist who is left broke and in the hospital from a robbery and needs the help of his parents whom he hasn’t spoken to in years, all somehow change each other’s lives through compassion, cooperation, and altruism. Melvin learns to be nicer and more accepting of others from both Simon and Carol, both playing a part in him getting over his OCD. For Simon, Carol helps him by simply listening to him, urging him to make the first step in contacting his parents, and making him want to paint again, and Melvin helps him learn to stand up for himself. Carol felt better about herself from Simon’s drawings, and Melvin gave her son a doctor and gave her love. In unlikely circumstances they were able to come together in the most unexpected ways. Melvin, although seemingly callous and unpleasant, looses that exterior after being treated with compassion, and through altruistic acts and slowly opening up, he is able to win Carol’s heart. Carol and Simon go from complete strangers to saying “I love you” to each other because of compassion and cooperation. Simon is able to open up to Carol because she shows she cares, and then they help each other feel better by drawing (finds the motivation to be an artist again) and being drawn (feels beautiful and appreciated). Eventually, although they have nothing in common and have all been through a lot, they begin to actually love each other because of the ways they’ve had an impact on each other.

Kin Selection Theory:

Carol, who is normally compassionate and forgiving and does not let Melvin’s comments affect her, finally tells him off because he said something as cruel as “sounds like your son is going to die soon too”. She yells at him, insults him, and threatens to kick him out of the restaurant for good if he ever says anything about her son again. Why does she act so strongly when it’s about her son, yet not when he insults other customers or even her? Because of kin selection; her son’s well-being greatly affects her well-being, and her highest priority is making sure he’s healthy and happy. She feels the urge to stand up for him because she cares about him so much; whatever hurts her son hurts her.

Reciprocal Altruism:

Melvin helped Simon learn to stand up for himself, and also helped him by looking after his dog, driving him to his parents, and letting him have the extra room in his apartment when he had no where to go. Later when Melvin is the one in need, Simon helps by giving him a pep talk to go get Carol. This is reciprocal altruism because he wanted to return the favor. Melvin may have said some really hurtful things to Simon, but ultimately he did help him when he needed it most, so Simon felt almost obligated to try to help him where he could, even if it was only boosting his confidence and helping him make the right decision.

Empathy-Altruism Hypothesis:

During Melvin, Simon, and Carol’s road trip to Simon’s parents, Carol decides to pull over the car so that she can really talk to Simon about his problems and help him feel better. She feels empathy for him; she understands his sadness, so she wants to help him by simply listening to him. Because of the Empathy-Altruism Hypothesis, her urge to reach out to him comes from her sharing his feelings. She may not have been in the same situation, but she knows his pain. She gives him her full attention without judgment, and then gives him advice on what to do next: take the first step and talk with his parents.