Movies - TV
Jack Nicholson Butted Heads With The Director Of As Good As It Gets
By WITNEY SEIBOLD
In 2018, Brooks spoke with EW about his prolific career, his many Oscar nominations, and a really rough day he and Jack Nicholson (Melvin) had on the set of "As Good As It Gets."
The two men had been friends for years. Having previously worked together on "Terms of Endearment," they were familiar with each other's mutual talents and communication styles.
However, Brooks and Nicholson seemingly couldn't "unlock" Melvin. He insulted people, deliberately used bigoted language, and lacked a filter, but needed to be lovable and funny.
Brooks and Nicholson constantly discussed Melvin and how he should be played. One day, when Melvin wasn't manifesting, Brooks resorted to extreme directorial means.
"It was very frustrating for [Nicholson]. One of the most interesting days was raw and awful, and I did something I'll never do again: I sent the crew home at midday,” Brooks said.
“It was Jack and I alone on this set, and I couldn't tell you one word we said to each other, but we sat there for three hours and the next day everything was okay," Brooks added.