In As Good as It Gets (1997), the dog named Verdell is a Brussels Griffon who belongs to the character Simon Bishop, played by actor Greg Kinnear. Simon is a gay artist who is struggling with both his career and personal life, and Verdell becomes an important part of his emotional journey.
The dog plays a key role in the story, acting as a catalyst for the development of the relationship between Simon and Melvin Udall (played by Jack Nicholson), a misanthropic and obsessive-compulsive writer. Melvin is initially indifferent to Verdell, but he ends up taking care of the dog after Simon is hospitalized, which leads to significant changes in his own behavior and interactions with others, particularly Carol, a waitress played by Helen Hunt.
Verdell’s presence serves as a source of comic relief, but also contributes to the heartwarming moments in the film. The dog was portrayed by a trained animal actor, and its antics were a memorable part of the movie’s charm.
As Good as It Gets received critical acclaim and several awards, including an Academy Award for Jack Nicholson’s performance, and the character of Verdell left a lasting impression on audiences.