Today’s quick review: Good Will Hunting. Will Hunting (Matt Damon), a young janitor at MIT, has an incredible mind but lacks the ambition to use it. When Gerald Lambeau (Stellan Skarsgard), a renowned math professor, discovers Will’s brilliance, he introduces the boy to Sean Maguire (Robin Williams), an unconventional psychiatrist. As he begins to work through his issues with Sean, Will must decide what he truly wants out of life.
Good Will Hunting is a drama about genius, purpose, and fulfillment. The movie makes the most of its excellent cast, with phenomenal performances all around and interesting, nuanced characters to match. The writing is just as strong, with a multifaceted plot, engrossing dialogue, and top-notch characterization. The movie is rounded out by solid pacing, sensible direction, and a soft, emotional soundtrack by Danny Elfman.
The drama stems from several subplots involving different parts of Will’s life. These subplots are interwoven quite nicely, and together they paint a detailed portrait of Will Hunting. The main thread deals with Will’s relationship with Sean, a psychiatrist dealing with issues of his own. Will’s antagonism eventually turns into respect as Sean begins to understand him and anticipate his thoughts. Their dynamic forms the core of the movie.
Another thread deals with Will’s relationship with his friends, particularly his best friend Chuckie (Ben Affleck). His friends are loyal to a fault and are a large part of why Will sticks to blue collar work rather than making the most of his intellect. Yet another thread follows Will’s relationship with Skylar (Minnie Driver), the Harvard premed student Will is dating. Their natural chemistry is offset by their differing backgrounds and Will’s inability to open up.
Watch Good Will Hunting if you are in the mood for a personal drama with excellent writing and acting. The plot mostly focuses on relationships, so it misses out on some of the punch of an event-driven plot, but the movie more than makes up for this with the quality of its characters, their dialogue, and their relationships. Skip it if you are looking for a punchier, less sentimental story or you dislike dramas about flawed characters.
8.3 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.5 for excellent writing and performances; your score will be higher depending on your taste for drama.