Good Will Hunting
Directed by: Gus Van Sant
Starring: Matt Damon, Robin Williams, Ben Affleck, Minnie Driver
Rated:R for some strong language, including sex-related dialogue
Gus Van Sant’s 1997 drama Good Will Hunting (written by actors Matt Damon and Ben Affleck) is a very human film; the plot is no deeper than the character of Will Hunting (Matt Damon), a twenty-something genius who is living the life of a hoodlum in downtown Boston. Once the discovery is made that Will is brilliant, people begin to try to help move beyond his circumstances and live up to his potential, only to discover that Will doesn’t want that. He shoots down his girlfriend’s (Minnie Driver) confession of love, he outsmarts his professor (Stellan Skargard), and even mentally breaks his councilor, Sean McGuire (Robin Willaims). However, through the unconditional love of these characters show him, especially Sean and Will’s hoodlum friend Chuckie (Ben Affleck), we learn that Will’s rejections of these opportunities and relationships are really a defense mechanism to keep him in the world where he is comfortable and safe. Outside of that, he believes the world is a scary and difficult place, and will eventually hurt him. It is and will, but what he discovers at the end is how, through truly living life, the world can also become a mesmerizing and wonderful experience that can lead to something truly profound. What isn’t wonderful or profound is the offensive language and dialogue in the movie, leaving me to suggest caution to anyone interested in the film.
Rated:R for some strong language, including sex-related dialogue
Gus Van Sant’s 1997 drama Good Will Hunting (written by actors Matt Damon and Ben Affleck) is a very human film; the plot is no deeper than the character of Will Hunting (Matt Damon), a twenty-something genius who is living the life of a hoodlum in downtown Boston. Once the discovery is made that Will is brilliant, people begin to try to help move beyond his circumstances and live up to his potential, only to discover that Will doesn’t want that. He shoots down his girlfriend’s (Minnie Driver) confession of love, he outsmarts his professor (Stellan Skargard), and even mentally breaks his councilor, Sean McGuire (Robin Willaims). However, through the unconditional love of these characters show him, especially Sean and Will’s hoodlum friend Chuckie (Ben Affleck), we learn that Will’s rejections of these opportunities and relationships are really a defense mechanism to keep him in the world where he is comfortable and safe. Outside of that, he believes the world is a scary and difficult place, and will eventually hurt him. It is and will, but what he discovers at the end is how, through truly living life, the world can also become a mesmerizing and wonderful experience that can lead to something truly profound. What isn’t wonderful or profound is the offensive language and dialogue in the movie, leaving me to suggest caution to anyone interested in the film.
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