GOOD WILL HUNTING 1998
A film review by Timothy Voon
Copyright 1998 Timothy Voon
3 :-) :-) :-) for being very well written
Cast: Matt Damon, Robin Williams, Ben Affleck, Stellan Skarsgard, Minnie Driver, Casey Affleck, Cole Hauser Director: Gus Van Sant Producer: Lawrence Bender Screenplay: Matt Damon and Ben Affleck
Although this movie is not the over the top, sensational, earth shattering experience that I had expected it to be; it is so well written and acted that one cannot criticise it for its otherwise minute flaws.
Will Hunting (Matt Damon) is the man that all mediocre folk carrying mundane jobs in order to maintain their otherwise ordinary lives wish to be. He has the gift of superior intelligence (a modern day Einstein) but works at a construction site, has multiple problems with the law and does not have aspirations to be greater. Now that's gratitude for you! Discovered by a Professor of Mathematics (Stellan Skarsgard), just before being imprisoned for aggravated assault, Will Hunting must attend several psychological counselling sessions a week with a community psychologist (Robin Williams).
>From this basic story line the audience is lead through a journey of events that must occur to improve Will Hunting's disposition. If the movie had ended on a bad note, like that of a genius throwing his life away, it would not be getting the good press it's receiving today. So the focus rests on Will Hunting, not just his intelligence, but rather the emotional turmoil of this extraordinary young man. In the same vein as FORREST GUMP, WILL HUNTING carries the message that intelligence does not make the better person. Great care is taken in discussing the issues dealing with physical abuse, broken homes and self blame. Before finally bringing about the predictable cathartic moment when self defence mechanisms collapse like the Walls of Jericho. Include in this journey an understanding, sympathetic girlfriend (Minnie Driver) who he initially tries to push away. Then add timely confronting questions from a genuinely interested therapist, who reinforces the technique with fatherly affirmation and you have discovered the method used to rescue Will Hunting from himself.
Matt Damon and Ben Affleck are the new kids on the block and this movie is a major cornerstone in their budding careers. Be prepared to expect much more from them in the future. Robin William's well controlled interpretation of a psychological therapist is rightly up for Oscar contention; as is Minnie Driver who is unlikely to win in her category. Gus Van Sant will be overlooked in favour of the Cameron team, as shall all other major contenders for Best Picture. Be overwhelmed by the Titanic certainty on Oscar night. This movie will however receive best original screenplay if that is any consolation.
Timothy Voon e-mail: stirling@netlink.com.au Movie Archives http://us.imdb.com/M/reviews_by?Tim+Voon Hugues Bouclier's Movies in Melbourne http://www.labyrinth.net.au/~bouclier/week/movies.html
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