Good Will Hunting
This review of Good Will Hunting is spoiler-free!
Ahh, Robin Williams. For many people, Robin Williams was a man of many talents and capabilities. Whether it be through stand-up or his many movie roles, this was a man who touched the hearts of so many people that it's impossible to count. For myself, I don't have too many memories of this man's films which I regretfully say. The movies I remember of Williams are that of Hook, Aladdin, and The Night at the Museum. When I realize that I hadn't even scratched the surface of the movies this man has been in, and I've missed out on some of best, I decided it was finally time to take the leap and explore the history and the best work of this amazing human being. So, as you all can see by the title of this review, let's dive right in with Good Will Hunting.
The star of the show is Will Hunting, a young man with brilliant mental capabilities, but who chooses to avoid his potential and works as a janitor at the famous MIT. When a math problem is given to see if any student can solve it, Hunting manages to answer it with ease and floors Professor Gerald Lambeau. Deciding that he wants to help Hunting regain the untapped potential he has within him, he doesn't realize the other side of Hunting that is out there. After fighting a police officer, Lambeau decides it's best to get him psychiatric help, and after many attempts to find the right therapist, the one that lands are that of Sean Maguire. Good Will Hunting is a powerful movie by any stretch of the imagination. The storytelling and truth to it make so easy to connect with an understand the characters in ways other films cannot do. It's some of the best work I've seen on a human story in a long time.
As our lead, Matt Damon is tasked with taking on the role of Will Hunting. In the past, I've not always been the most massive fan of Damon as his work seems to have fallen into one specific area in the past. But, seeing Damon here has allowed me to understand who he is as an actor and just what he is capable of doing. His character in this film is truthful and fearful, and while sometimes you want to punch him and tell him what to do, you understand why he is the way he is, and it hurts all the more. Playing his therapist is Robin Williams. His character of Sean Maguire may not understand what he's getting into with Hunting, but it's the way their bond builds throughout the movie and get's stronger that makes this movie just some moving in so many ways. I loved both of these portrayals, and while I'm unaware of any nominations these men had, they both deserve praise for how well they performed here.
What makes Good Will Hunting such a great movie is just how much the audience can connect with its story. For me as a person who had no idea of what I was going to get when the movie began, I was drawn to the character of Will Hunting. He has the potential to be a mathematical genius thanks to his IQ-level, but he chooses to shy away from it because he feels comfortable. This problem is something we all can connect with in one way or another, and it manages to make a character who could come off as snobby that much better. Seeing his best friend push him to leave and move on to better things is one of the best parts of this movie. In fact, I believe the best scene in this film takes place between Hunting and Ben Affleck's Chuckie Sullivan (Hunting's best friend). When Hunting is afraid to tackle the obstacles ahead of him, Chuckie tells him off and says that one day he hopes he comes back to find Hunting has left without a word, moving on to a better life outside of the one they found themselves stuck in. It's compelling work from a great cast, and I can't be happier with it.
Good Will Hunting is an example of a human story being told through film. Everyone has faced moments of strife or fear where they know they can do something, they're just scared to take that step. Will Hunting is facing this exact dilemma, and seeing Maguire break down the walls he has put in front of him and allow himself to accept who he is is magical. The truth of the matter is like I said, we've all been Will Hunting at some point in our life. That's what makes this movie so unique. This is a movie I believe everyone needs to see at some point in their lives because it can truly impact the way we think about ourselves.
