Good Will Hunting

I have what I would consider to be an always-changing tumultuous relationship with this film.To understand why I say this, I guess there’s only one way for me to logically start: The beginning.When I was younger - I’d say barely having entered into my teenage years - I recall this being one of my all-time favorite movies. In hindsight I think I was hypnotized by the young Matt Damon and in some ways I still am.As I’ve gotten older my perception about certain elements of this story have changed while others have stayed relatively the same.‘Good Will Hunting’ has one of my most favored catalogue of characters. They all mostly have some core features about them that makes the interactions they have with one another realistic, but they still manage to have special quirks and mannerisms that make them unique; as a result of this ‘GWH’ feels like a number of pieces to a puzzle finding out how they fit in the bigger picture. It’s only natural to mention that this has one of my favorite performances by Robin Williams - he in particular is rather endearing as Sean - and I miss him so much.Where my feelings start to get complicated and develop schisms is in my thoughts about the ending. You know who I feel sorry for the most the older I am when I watch this? Chuckie. Here we have this character that tirelessly supports a friend of his (that seems unwilling to make changes in his life) who is left in a position where someone else might feel abandoned (Hold this thought for now, because I will be coming back to it) or like their friendship was taken for granted. Further, it seems all too convenient that Will’s transformative choices seem intertwined with a budding romance. . . .and in some ways, that draws out this rarely cynical part of me that I usually have an easy time ignoring. I find myself scoffing at the idea that a woman’s existence can influence someone to just. . . .basically start their life over, and it leads to wildly hyperbolic assumptions about how Will is essentially running away from his problem under the guise of a potentially intimate rendezvous.Here’s where I apply the brakes. Because the truth I have to remind myself of consciously is that ‘Good Will Hunting’ isn’t meant to be a love story - and my tendency to try digesting it as such says more about me than I think it does about the quality of this film.When we meet Will he isn’t portrayed as some scrub that has no intention of doing anything productive with his life. On the contrary - he seems more like someone that is struggling with a crippling self-image and isn’t motivated to give himself room to heal and grow. Not only this, but it’s tactfully revealed over time that he is struggling to cope with some trauma that has had some repercussions of its own. I will say that the presentation of therapeutic interventions is a bit “cookie-cutter” like in my opinion, but this is a commendable effort in letting audience members know that needing these kinds of services at any time isn't a sign of weakness and shouldn’t be viewed as such. Things that can discourage someone from getting treatment - like the montage of professionals that Will almost deliberately self-sabotages his sessions with - are touched on in a gentle (but impactful) way. The “It’s not your fault” scene still manages to give me the chills as I’m sure is a sentiment that other audience members can easily empathize with. Will - a flower that has wilted to the point of its own extinction - is slowly brought back to life by the sun that is his therapist and the water that is his network of unconditional support.Enter: My earlier point about the circle of friends that Will surrounds himself with.There is something quite exquisite about this film that doesn’t get brought up often - and I think it’s due to the fact that this is my praise in regards to something that is 𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒅 from this film as opposed to included. ‘Good Will Hunting’ has endless opportunities to take shots of toxic masculinity to the point of inebriation, and yet it doesn’t lift a finger once to entertain or even take a swig of it. The ways in which Will and his friends bond with one another are at times a bit immature, but they are mostly harmless shenanigans and aren’t inappropriate or riddled with condescendence. While they never really say it out loud there is a clear amount of love shared between all of these characters...and to me that is just disgustingly wholesome.So. Yes. Sometimes I do feel myself getting a little overprotective of Chuckie and pose with anger on his behalf. But this quickly dissipates when I remind myself that he is truly happy for his friend that is finally just giving himself what is even simply a 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 at thriving. What an absolutely beautiful message to take to heart or store somewhere that is readily accessible.I can’t remember how the post goes, but a while ago I saw one where it boiled down to the idea that films never change, but our perspectives always can.I think ‘Good Will Hunting’ is one of the best examples of this notion coming alive in practice. It sits on this delicate cusp of maturity - touching on themes that both adults and youth can understand - and develops alongside viewers as opposed to separate from them.Maybe tomorrow my feelings will be significantly different from they are now. Perhaps my thoughts - whether with mainly adoration or snideness - will remain entrenched in this hole of ambivalence I have unexpectedly dug and buried myself inside of.Whatever the case, I find comfort in knowing that I will continue moving forward.Sincerely,Your insistently optimistic and pleasantly perplexed host.

Gus Van Sant never fails to deliver and he didn’t disappoint with Good Will Hunting. Matt Damon and Ben Affleck also wrote the movie so it was a labor of love. It’s a coming of age story for Damon who is a 20 something man child. He’s stuck in his way hanging out with this working class friends from South Boston while hiding the fact that he’s a genius. He’s finally confronted with the moment in his life where he has to choose what he has to do with himself. He can hang out with Affleck and maintain the status quo. There’s Stellan Skarsgard who is a math professor at MIT who is offering him a career. Or there’s Minnie Driver who loves him. It’s a whimsical tale. The best part for me was Damon’s sessions with Robin Williams who plays a shrink. He delivers one of his greatest performances. This isn’t the wild and crazy Williams ad libbing his way through the script. He’s calm and collected and offering some real insight. There’s a fantastic scene where Williams breaks down Damon’s entire life by saying that he could explain Michelangelo’s entire life but he’s never been in the Sistine Chapel to see his work. It’s one of a many special moments in Good Will Hunting.

One of my all-time favorite movies on so many levels, and the soundtrack music is splendid. This is a powerful story of a troubled young, lower-working class man (Matt Damon) who is a natural math "savant" and a voracious reader, without ever having gone to college. At one point, well into the movie, a professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) compares Matt Damon's character (named "Will") to the extraordinary Srinivasa Ramanujan--historically known as "The Man Who Knew Infinity." Ramanujan was an Indian mathematician who made great leaps of contributions in the field of math, without any formal training. The professor who made this comparison, played by Stellan Skarsgard, becomes the "Salieri" to Matt Damon's "Mozart." In this movie, "Good Will Hunting," Will works as a janitor, pushing a broom through the halls of MIT, where all around him, young people of greater economic means are getting a top-knotch education. Will is "discovered" by the MIT professor, soon after the professor puts a difficult math problem on a chalkboard in the hallway, which he hopes one of his students will be smart enough to solve by the end of the semester. I don't want to spoil the fun by telling you what happens next, but let's skip to the fact that Will--due to his "wrong side of the tracks" roots, is not "ready" to participate in society the way we wish we could bring the poor into better economic circumstances. He is on parole for assault and battery, he has the attention span of a hummingbird, and he abhors authority and decorum. Enter Robin Williams, as the "last-chance" psychotherapist brought in to try to help young Will, after a bevy of more "high class" psychotherapists fail to make headway and wind up bruised. The interactions between Williams and Damon will have you, by turns, laughing out loud and then crying and then laughing again: very compelling cinema. Add to all of this the beautiful "pre-Med," highly-educated coed, played delightfully by Minnie Driver, whom Will falls in love with, but tries to push away like everything else in his mixed-up life; and Will's best friend, played by Ben Affleck, who turns out to be the surprise "pivot" around which Will makes his most important decision of the movie. The soundtrack to this movie is haunting -- I bought the CD after seeing this movie for the first time when it first came out. I am reviewing it now, after watching it a third time, years and years later. My love for the film held up, and I noticed new subtleties this time around. Let me list three compelling reasons to see this movie: 1. Watch it for the story: This is character development at its finest, and the story is both intellectually stimulating and emotionally heart-rending and heart-warming. The movie does not stoop to cliche developments, like "poor boy makes it big." The characters will each surprise you in their own way. 2. Watch it for the science: This movie will awaken you to the truly fascinating minds of natural "savants," and how they are not determined by anything related to "nurture." Will had a childhood that could have left him mentally incapacitated. There are other movies about savants: Think "Rain Man," or "Little Man Tate," but neither of those movies treat this issue as seriously as this one does. This movie is on a much more sophisticated level -- more like the movie, "A Beautiful Mind," about the inimitable and recently-deceased Princeton mathematician John Forbes Nash, Jr. 3. Watch it for the social philosophy: With no partisan leanings whatsoever, this movie will leave you convinced of the need to increase educational opportunity in this country, while reminding the viewer that "giving a man a fish" (to "eat" for one day) is not the answer. Unless you can teach a man how to fish for a lifetime, any "charity" is essentially wasted on him, like the professor's early attempts to "provide" for "poor Will" shows us, in sharp delineation. At the end of this movie, you will find yourself asking how many others like Will might be out there, but will wind up in jail, instead of in college, because they did not pass a chalkboard in the hallway, while pushing their broom. The movie makes clear that throwing money at the problem is a disaster. The world, and the people in it, are more complex than that. You will still be thinking about this movie, LONG after you watch it. Oh, one caveat: My socially-reserved neighbors tell me they could not watch this movie through to the end because of the liberally-sprinkled cuss words in it. So alert-alert that some of the very real characters in this movie speak just as they would in South Boston. But, for heavens' sake, let's forgive them that, so that you don't miss one of the most compelling "coming of age" movies of all time.

Laidback and so inspirational! Loved watching it! Loved the writing, screenplay and the pace of the movie! Stellar acting perfomances all around!

How can you not love this movie? Excessive profanity aside, this story and cast is incredible.

enjoyed

CE film présenté au festival Fantasia a Montreal en 2005, fut pour moi très troublant, le jeux de l' acteur principal et excellent, l' histoire nous met dans un intrigue incroyable plus tu en apprends moins tu en sais... que des surprises troublantes qui nous dé-stabilises. Jeux psycologiques tres bien ficellé. a voir sans les enfants bien sûr... Dommage qu' il ne sois jamais présenté en salle au Québec... mais bon Un dvd fera l' affaire quand meme...

This film is somewhat a masterpiece like Rocky. It's about an underdog, who has special abilities, amazing gifts. Yet he is an average, poor young man with a troubled past. He is a mathematical genius, and he works at constructions, drinks beer with his undereducated, dumb but infinitely loyal friends and he tries to find himself in present day Boston.This is one of the most perfectly written, acted and directed films I have ever come across in my life. It has stayed with me for years now and I can't seem to and don't want to let it go any time soon. I am Will, you know. And I'm quite sure that many people around the world feel the same way. I too try desperately to find my way in society, make real friends, a girl who really loves me and I can love her back, a decent enough job no matter how hard it is. And if we feel that we possess some special skills which nobody understands, we feel isolated, alone, lonely. And sometimes angry.I can't emphasize enough how brilliant Matt Damon is in the role his lifetime. He is even better than in Bourne, and I assume, he will never have an acting opportunity again that can live up to this role. He is mean, disturbed, feisty, yet vulnerable, loveable, sad. The dialogues are like polished diamond. The direction is quiet, suttle, beautifully balanced, simple and realistic. All the supporting cast deserves high praise, and certainly the best of them all is Robin Williams, who is simply amazing.This is a very moving film, so much so that there are plenty occasion when we feel the urge to cry. I encourage each and everyone to do so bravely, because in the world of Good Will Hunting there's no such thing as outer nobility and dignity. These qualities come from within. A true measure of a man is how he can live day by day doing what he truly believes in. And most of all, by believing in himself. And finding love is never too late or too much trouble. And remember, what Williams's character suggests: one can't get to know life by reading books about it. You have to get out and live life while you still can. It's never too late. That was one important lesson this great film tought me. I recommend it to everyone whole heartedly.

Good Will is Hunted by the Mathematics Lecturer. the therapist and America's criminal justice system.An entertaining humorous film with lots of modern language terms.I particularly liked the dialogue between Will and his 'best friend' where Will's friend tells him he's sitting on the winning lottery ticket but fears collecting the winnings because of the consequences and implications.Maybe that's why many winning lottery tickets go unclaimed - the Hunt is more interesting than the claim - (for some).My theory is: if you are 'Gifted' as Will Hunting clearly was - your destiny has already been predetermined and mapped out for you. You have no choice and no conscious say in the matter because no matter how you try to escape, there will always be somebody somewhere Hunting you down to do better for yourself, and claim your Gifts. 'The World' Is Your Oyster' is the saying - i.e you can pick 'and' choose your destiny but which ever way you turn its green lights all the way.If you are Talented, you have the choice to make conscious/subconscious decisions regarding your Talents and your future. Your destiny is determined by 'your' decisions. Your decision is 'your' world and 'your' oyster. You have amber lights and must proceed with caution - you can even afford to throw caution to the wind and see where the wind blows you.If you are Skilled, you are required to do the bare minimum for yourself, but it will always 'limit' how far-reaching your destiny 'could' be. It will have a knock on effect and limit your future plans. You have red lights and will periodically have to stop, analyse and re-evaluate your life's direction and decisions.The last 20 mins of the film seemed a little rushed or the production team ran out of time and money as much of those last 20 minutes is left to one's own imagination of 'the feel good factor' - that everything went well for Will and he made it up with his girlfriend.It would have been nice to see/meet Will's new boss and see the smile on the girlfriend's face when Will shows up.Thank You!

Nur 0,002% der Menschen sind Hochbegabte - also so 160.000 in Deutschland. Davon wissen rund die Hälfte nichts von ihrer Gen-Anomalie, der Abweichung von der Regel. Gut 30% wollen nur Künstler sein, egal was raus kommt und ob es gefällt oder nicht. Gerade einmal einige Zig-Leute in Deutschland sind so hochbegabt, dass sie als High-End-Entwickler geeignet sind (also ohne Betrug z.B. zu Auto-Abgaswerten, um vermeintliche Befähigung darzustellen, oder zu Fußball-Weltmeisterschafts-Beschaffungen), um absolut Neues/Anderes entwickeln zu können. Der Film zeigt neben einer guten Geschichte mit Spaß, wie Hochbegabte ticken, nämlich anders, die Gesellschaft mit diesen Personen (falsch) umgeht und einschätzt, was dem Staat Hunderte-Milliarden-Bruttoinlandsprodukt (auch für Sozialleistungen) Jahr für Jahr durch die Lappen gehen lässt, bis hin zu ausgezeichneten Professoren, die da geistig nicht mitkönnen und daran verzweifeln, wie auch, dass das ganze Schulsystem noch überhaupt nicht darauf eingestellt ist, schon gar nicht in Deutschland. Diese Schlauheit, die >Normale< nicht verstehen können (weil sie eben aufgrund ihrer Gene den >hohen Horizont< nicht abbilden und damit nicht erkennen können, wie man auch Intelligenz nicht lernen kann), kann einsam machen und erzwingt zu jeder High-End-Entscheidung immer nur alleine sie verstehen und bewerten zu können. Sehr schlau zu sein ist also eher Belastung als Segen. Sie nicht zu erkennen, macht im Kontext jedoch den ganzen >Leistungsfluch< aller Staaten und Gesellschaften aus, denn eine einzige falsche Entscheidung, kann historisch belegt ganze Top-Staaten ins Nirvana schicken: Gutes Bespiel dazu ist Karthago, das sogar das alte Rom in den Griff bekommen hätten können, aber durch korrupte Entscheidungen in Politik und Handel sich selbst von der Landkarte gelöscht hat. Oder der Pirat (besser Geschäftsmann um 1570) Franzis Drake hat maßgeblich dafür gesorgt, dass England zur Weltmacht wurde und seit rund 500 Jahren bis heute die Kapitalflüsse der Welt über London laufen.

Der junge Will Hunting (Matt Damon) hat versteckte Talente, die er unter gewalttätigen Handlungen und Sauftouren mit seinen Jungs verbirgt. Er ist einer von wenigen, die ohne große Mühe mathematische Probleme lösen und erklären können, die in einer Nacht ein komplettes Buch lesen können und den genauen Wort laut wiedergeben können. Jedoch macht sich Will nichts aus seinem Talent und verbringt seine Zeit lieber mit seinen Freunden, bis er verhaftet wird und eigentlich ins Gefängnis soll. Doch unter strengen Vorlagen darf er die Strafe als Bewehrung absitzen. Eine der auflagen ist das Er sich einen Therapeuten sucht der ihn hilft seine Aggressionen in den Griff zu bekommen. Dabei trifft er auf den ersten Menschen der ihn intellektuell ebenbürtig scheint Sean Maguire (Robin Williams) und ihn zeigt, dass es mehr gibt als nur Prügeln, Bier und sein Viertel.Soviel zum Inhalt nun kommen wir zu dem, was den Film so unglaublich gut werden lässt und warum er in keiner guten DVD / Blu-ray Sammlung fehlen darf! Nicht nur Matt Damon und Robin Williams, die großartig ihre Rollen spielen, sind an Bord, sondern auch Stellan Skarsgård , Minnie Driver, Ben Affleck und Casey Affleck spielen ihre Rolle meiner Meinung nach großartig und zeigen sich von ihrer besten Seite. Die Geschichte um Will Hunting lebt auch gerade von diesen Charakteren und der hervorragenden Musik im Hintergrund. Das Drehbuch von Matt Damon und Ben Affleck ist so gesehen die Kirsche auf dem Eisbecher, sehr gute Dialoge, die sogar ab und an den Zuschauern selbst zum Nachdenken anregen und sie an diesen Film ganze zwei Stunden an den Bildschirm fesseln.Fazit: Gute Schauspieler die tolle Charaktere zum Leben erwecken, ein Soundtrack passend in jeder Szene, gutes Drehbuch und eine Regie, die hieraus ein Meisterwerk macht. Unbedingt kaufen!