Towering performance by Matt Damon as a troubled working class who needs to address his creative genius elevates this drama way above its therapeutic approach, resulting in a zeitgeist film that may touch chord with young viewers the way The Graduate did
Good Will Hunting
Some people can never believe in themselves, until someone believes in them.
1997 · 2h 7m · R
Drama
Directed by
Gus Van Sant
Overview
Headstrong yet aimless, Will Hunting has a genius-level IQ but chooses to work as a janitor at MIT. When he secretly solves highly difficult graduate-level math problems, his talents are discovered by Professor Gerald Lambeau, who decides to help the misguided youth reach his potential. When Will is arrested for attacking a police officer, Professor Lambeau makes a deal to get leniency for him if he gets court-ordered therapy. Eventually, therapist Dr. Sean Maguire helps Will confront the demons that are holding him back.
Director and cast
- Gus Van Sant Director
- Matt Damon as Will Hunting
- Robin Williams as Sean Maguire
- Ben Affleck as Chuckie Sullivan
- Stellan Skarsgård as Prof. Gerald Lambeau
- Minnie Driver as Skylar
- Casey Affleck as Morgan O'Mally
- Cole Hauser as Billy McBride
- Vik Sahay as MIT Student
- John Mighton as Tom
- Rachel Majorowski Cast
Critics on Rotten Tomatoes
Top critics, in their words
The film works as a character-driven narrative because Mr. Van Sant and his co-screenwriters are not afraid to unlock the psychological mysteries of their five major characters with clear and concise dialogue.
It's acted and directed with care, and Damon is outstanding, his scenes with Driver being especially sparky.
While the charismatic performances of Damon and Affleck make "Good Will Hunting" a difficult entertainment to resist, doing just that is not as hard as the film would like to think.
Good Will Hunting narrowly avoids many sentimental pitfalls thanks to what doesn't happen...
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