Director: Gus Van Sant
Writer: Matt Damon, Ben Affleck (Screenplay)
Starring: Matt Damon, Robin Williams, Ben Affleck, Stellan Skarsgard, Minnie Driver, Casey Affleck, Cole Hauser
Plot: Will Hunting, a janitor at M.I.T., has a gift for mathematics, but needs help from a psychologist to find direction in his life.
There may be spoilers the rest of the review
Verdict: Amazing
Story: Good Will Hunting starts with Bostonians janitor Will Hunting (Damon) and his best friend Chuckie Sullivan (Affleck) who have always had to look after themselves. When professor Gerald Lambeau (Skarsgard) puts a theorem outside his M.I.T. room for his students to solve over the year Will solves it while cleaning the floors.
When Will finds himself in trouble with the law Gerald arranges to get him out of jail time with the deal of working with Gerald and seeing a therapist and after going through the professional respected ones Gerald turns to his old roommate Sean Maguire (Williams) who has alternative methods as his last resort.
Sean gets through to Will on a new level pushing him to actually us his gift while Will’s loyalty to his friends could put this future in jeopardy.
Good Will Hunting is one of the most powerful films of the whole of the 90s if not all of film time. The following of one man trying to find his place in the world with all the potential in the world is always going to be difficult to turn into a natural story but this one hits it on every level. The idea of building to genius to need to see what they are capable is brilliant as we see how understand the gift is just as important too. I believe the friendships feel natural and showing how the friendship between Will and Sean builds not only improves Will’s life but Sean’s too. I find this to be one of the most motivating films I have ever seen.
Actor Review
Matt Damon: Will Hunting is a self-taught genius that is living South Boston working as a janitor in M.I.T. spending the nights drinking with his buddies. When professor Lambeau learns his of his gift Will must go through therapy becoming one of the most wanted men in business world while deciding his own future. Matt showed all of potential in this performance where he is brilliant in.
Robin Williams: Sean Maguire is a brilliant therapist who was roommate of Gerald Lambeau. He is the only therapist that is willing to give Will the time needed as well as having the heartbreak of losing his wife to a long battle with cancer. Sean helps guide Will into deciding his future becoming the father figure he has never had. Robin is sensational in this role especially when you think this comes in the middle of a string of comedic roles.
Ben Affleck: Chuckie Sullivan is the best friend of Will’s who is the closest to family that Will has ever had. Chuckie sees the gift Will has and is involved in my favorite scene of the film. He will stand by Will through every moment of his life. Ben is great in this supporting role being the friend that Will needs and with the natural friendship between Ben and Matt shows through.
Stellan Skarsgard: Prof Gerald Lambeau is the teacher at M.I.T. who has put the tests up for his student only to find Will solving them. He is the one that save Will from jail putting him on the right path because he sees just how great he could be. Stellan is great in this role and the scene in the pub with Robin Williams brilliant.
Support Cast: Good Will Hunting has quite a small supporting cast with the extra characters being the rest of the group of friends and the love interest.
Director Review: Gus Van Sant – Gus gives us one of the most powerful dramas filled with all the emotion needed.
Drama: Good Will Hunting is a powerful drama filled with emotion and life choices need to be made by Will.
Settings: Good Will Hunting keeps most of the settings simple but enough to show the different worlds Will seems to be stuck between.
Suggestion: Good Will Hunting is one I do think everyone should be watching. (Must Watch)
Best Part: Best part of my day.
Worst Part: Nothing.
Funniest Scene: Harvard bar.
Favourite Quote: Chuckie ‘Every day I come by your house and I pick you up. And we go out. We have a few drinks, and a few laughs, and it’s great. But you know what the best part of my day is? For about ten seconds, from when I pull up to the curb and when I get to your door, ’cause I think, maybe I’ll get up there and I’ll knock on the door and you won’t be there. No goodbye. No see you later. No nothing. You just left. I don’t know much, but I know that.’
Believability: It could easily be a real story.
Chances of Tears: Happy tears.
Chances of Sequel: No
Post Credits Scene: No
Oscar Chances: Won 2 Oscars including Best Supporting Actor and Best Original Screenplay
Budget: $10 Million
Runtime: 2 Hours 6 Minutes
Tagline: Some people can never believe in themselves, until someone believes in them.
Overall: One of the most powerful, motivating and emotional movies ever made.
Rating
