Remember when Ben Affleck could act?
Set in Boston
and Cambridge, "Good Will Hunting" is the story
of a 20-year-old janitor at MIT, Will Hunting
(Matt Damon), a rebellious yet incredibly bright
young man who spends his days mopping floors and
his nights hanging out with his buddies,
including Chuckie (Ben Affleck), at the local
bar along with his affluent girlfriend (Minnie
Driver).
Will's intelligence is a secret to all at MIT
until one day when Professor Lambeau (Stellan
Skaarsgard) stumps his students with a math
formula placed upon a hallway chalkboard.
Overnight, Will solves the formula correctly
attracting the attention of Lambeau.
The story here is equal parts redemption story,
romantic drama and story about growing up and
growing comfortable with oneself. Will, almost
inevitably, attracts legal trouble and, as an
out, is offered weekly math sessions AND
therapy. He accepts, with resistance, and goes
through a series of therapists until he meets
the one who won't give up, Sean McGuire (Robin
Williams).
The Oscar-winning script by longtime friends
Affleck and Damon is, in reality, rather basic.
There is nothing new here, and yet the old
tricks are done quite nicely. Affleck and Damon
offer nicely developed characters, clear/concise
dialogue and almost too neatly wrapped up
conflicts.
The film is a bit of a change of pace for
director Gus Van Sant, whose usual low-budget
indie flick approach works nicely here as he
excels at bringing the film a sort of working
class, intimate feeling. I can't help but feel
that under the direction of many more popular
directors the tone would have been dramatically
changed into more of a "rah rah" kind of story.
It would have been tragic, as Van Sant's
approach magnificently increases the film's
emotional impact.
The film offers Robin Williams the chance to
show his dramatic acting skills, and they've
improved significantly from his early acting
days. With only tiny hints of humor, Williams
offers here a performance that is often tender,
frequently intense and perhaps the truth
underneath much of his comedy. Williams captured
the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor here, and
while I can understand discussion over the win
he is, nonetheless, wonderful here.
The film received several other Oscar
nominations including Best Actor (Damon), Best
Director (Van Sant), Best Supporting Actress
(Driver), Best Original Score (Danny Elfman),
Best Song (Elliott Smith), and Best Picture.
"Good Will Hunting" put both Affleck and Damon
on the map, and opened the door to a wider range
of film opportunities for Williams. It showed
the world the immense talent of director Van
Sant, even though he's largely returned to his
smaller, indie fare. Sadly, this wonderful film
hasn't held up as well to repeat viewings and
what appeared to be mood enhancing and
atmospheric a mere eight years ago now appears
to be a bit dated and tired. Still, "Good Will
Hunting" is a wonderful film to view and those
who've never seen it will most likely embrace a
first viewing.
©
Written by Richard Propes
TC Candler's Comment
I really
liked this film when it first came out... And it
has grown on me since then. The script is
pitch perfect and the performances are all
stellar. Even Ben Affleck does a decent
job here... How do you like them apples?
Jacob
Hall's Comment
n/a
