As Good As It Gets (1997)

This is a solid movie. Melvin Udall (Jack Nicholson) is a sarcastic and successful writer who lives alone in an apartment in New York City. He eats at the same restaurant every day, but brings his own utensils because of his fear of germs. He is also very rude to other people. His neighbor Simon is a gay artist with a poorly behaved Brussells Griffon dog who constantly pees on the carpet and is despised by Melvin. Carol (Helen Hunt) is the waitress who always serves his breakfast even though he is so demanding. When robbers break into Simon's apartment and assault him, Melvin ends up caring for the dog. He is very reluctant at first, but then grows very close to the pet. He learns that Carol's son is very sick and offers to help her financially.

Jack Nicholson and Helen Hunt won the Academy Awards for Best Actor and Best Actress. It is Jack Nicholson's second most lucrative film, behind Batman. Mysophobia is a pathological fear of contamination and germs.