Where to Watch:
9/10
FilmFascination Rating
When you look at ‘Good Will Hunting’ you think it would be some self-made Math genius who is finally recognised by a professor and gives him a direction. But is that really it? Believe me, not at all. What is at the core, at the heart of the movie are human emotions and Gus Van Sant (director) brings them so powerfully yet tenderly.
Will Hunting is a self-taught natural genius who works as a janitor at MIT. To its credit, “Good Will Hunting” does not use this development as an excuse to whisk away its hero in a blaze of glory. Will likes to party, hang around the old neighbourhood with his three close pals who are really family to him and even takes matter in his own hands when slightest of the problem happens against his gang. When Professor Gerald Lambeau (Stellan Skarsgard) of MIT posts a difficult combinatorial mathematics problem as a challenge for his graduate student, Will solves the problem anonymously. This stuns both the student and Lambeau and makes them eager to meet this unknown person.
Lambeau later catches Will writing the solution late at night, but Will arrogantly refuses to talk and runs away. Due to attacking a police officer while fighting against his childhood bully, Will gets arrested and impends imprisonment for some years. Lambeau arranges for him to avoid the jail time under two conditions – One that he studies mathematics under Lambeau’s supervision, to which he agrees, Two that he participates in psychotherapy sessions, at which he has a hearty laugh. Will temporarily agrees but instead treats his therapists with mockery, which gives us some comedic scenes as well. Will really is a tough nut. Professor Lambeau helps a lot but to the audience it feels like he cares more just about Will’s brain than who he is as a person. After many unsuccessful trials, Lambeau finally decides to call Dr. Sean Maguire (Robin Williams), his college roommate who teaches psychology.
Will and Sean after several failed sessions go on to help each other. An utterly beautiful performance is given by Robin Williams. You truly feel all the words of wisdom coming out of his mouth about love, trust and commitment. I mean who wouldn’t like to hear Robin Williams giving some great advice. Especially the repeated ‘It’s not your fault’ scene is just so natural, which is masterfully played by both Damon and Williams.
Damon started writing the film as a final assignment for a playwriting class he was taking at Harvard University. Instead of writing a one-act play, he submitted a 40 page script. He wrote his then-girlfriend Skylar Satenstein into his script. Ben Affleck joined his to develop the screenplay. At first it was written as a thriller about a super intelligent young man who is targeted by the government with heavy-handed recruitment. Later the thriller aspect was removed on urge of Rob Reiner and instead it focussed on the relationship between Will and Sean.
The movie is directed by Gus Van Sant, who seems to have a perfect pitch when it comes to dialogue. Consider the beautiful scene where Matt and Skylar break up and say hurtful things. It is clear that Matt pushes her away because he knows he does not deserve her. But all this has been possible because of the outstanding cast. May it be Williams, Damon, Ben Affleck, Minnie Driver, or for that matter even Casey Affleck. They all play their roles with immense emotions yet so naturally. Along with that Van Sant so skilfully and precisely shifts the atmosphere from classroom to the session room, to dorm room and to the nearby bar. It makes the territory of the movie seem larger yet making us familiar with each one of them.
The movie is fairly predictable. But thing is, it does not really matter. It is those individual moments and deep messages about relationships, the future, love and trust that make it so effective. ‘Good Will Hunting’ is one of character-driven movies which are usually hard to make, but if done right they stay with you long after the movie ends. And ‘Good Will Hunting’ connects with the viewer with the several relationships it portrays. Especially the relationship and chemistry between Will and Sean that evolves is beautiful. I also love how William knows what the other person is gonna say and saves the awkwardness by instantly leaving the topic away.
The bittersweet ending which the movie goes with is delightful. One of the best lines in the film which both Will and Sean use- “Sorry, I had to go see about a girl”. It is so simple yet meaningful. I wish to use it myself at some point of my life.
Favourite Quotes
Sean: [during a therapy session] You’re not perfect, sport, and let me save you the suspense: this girl you’ve met, she’s not perfect either. But the question is whether or not you’re perfect for each other.
Sean: [to Will] You’ll have bad times, but it’ll always wake you up to the good stuff you weren’t paying attention to.
Sean: [to Will] You’ll never have that kind of relationship in a world where you’re afraid to take the first step because all you see is every negative thing 10 miles down the road.
Will: Oh my God; and who are these fuckin’ friends of yours, they let you get away with that?
Sean: Oh… they had to.
Will: W-w-w-what’d you say to them?
Sean: I just slid my ticket across the table, and I said, “Sorry, guys; I gotta see about a girl.”
Will: I gotta go see about a girl?
Sean: Yeah.
Will: That’s what you said? And they let you get away with that?
Sean: Oh, yeah. They saw in my eyes that I meant it.
Will: You’re kiddin’ me.
Sean: No, I’m not kiddin’ you, Will. That’s why I’m not talkin’ right now about some girl I saw at a bar twenty years ago and how I always regretted not going over and talking to her. I don’t regret the 18 years I was married to Nancy. I don’t regret the six years I had to give up counseling when she got sick. And I don’t regret the last years when she got really sick. And I sure as hell don’t regret missin’ the damn game. That’s regret.
Join the FilmFascination Club!
All the updates right in your Inbox! (We will never spam you with junk mails)
You will get a message on the top of the form once your subscription is successful.