The two childhood friends from the south side of Boston, Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, wrote a script together that some might say is the greatest piece of writing ever done for a film. The two of them sold the script and turned it into a movie that appeared in 1997 and became the start of their fame that initiated the assent from small time actors into well-known movie stars and screenwriters. “Good Will Hunting,” directed by Gus Van Sant, centers around the life of Will Hunting (Damon).
Will is a janitor, working at the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology and working in the construction fields in the Irish subculture of south Boston. Will is a troublemaker who can be caught in reckless acts with his friends, specifically his right hand man, Chuckie (Affleck). Here Gus Van Sant is trying to set the scene for the hard knock life of south Boston and the blue-collar work environment foreshadowing the contrast from an elite university. When he isn’t drinking with his friends or instigating fights, Will is hitting the library. He is able to skim through books like one would look at a flipbook; his photogenic memory helps in this process. His genius capabilities seem to be nonexistent in this world, but extremely pleasing to the eye and entertaining to watch.
As soon as Will solves a remarkably strenuous math problem on a blackboard at MIT that none of the university students can crack, he catches the attention of the world renowned mathematician and professor, Gerald Lambeau (Stellan Skarsgard), who takes it upon himself to make ‘good’ of Will Hunting. Before this, the audience is led to believe that the pair of miscreants would not be capable of competing with the upper echelon students.
With the influence of Will’s close friends, he does not feel as if he needs to submerge himself in the scholarly life. He finds comfort in what is familiar to him, including messing around at bars and causing havoc wherever he deems necessary. One night, Will and his friends go to a bar and a Harvard post-graduate tries to condescend Chuckie. Will being the great friend that he is interrupts the conversation and actually quotes the chapter and verse that the guy is plagiarizing directly from a textbook. In lieu of his knowledge and confidence in showing up the arrogant post-graduate, Will catches the attention of Skylar (Minnie Driver). Skylar is the girl who comes into his life and challenges Will by introducing new concepts and feelings he has never had to deal with. He has no idea what it is like to love someone the way he loves her and the way she loves him, this commitment scares Will.
Growing up as an orphan, Will was mistreated and these horrible events lead to him creating a hard outer shell in which no on can break through. However, as we all know in movies and in the real world as well, something always has to be able to break that shell. But who is it going to be? On one hand it could be the girl who comes along in Will’s life and opens up a whole new world for him, or it can be Sean Maguire. Played by the recently deceased Robin Williams who scored himself an academy award for this role, Sean is a psychiatrist who is a native of the same Boston south side in which Will grew up in. The shambles that have occurred in Sean’s recent past, allows him to channel that energy into helping Will succeed and achieve a life that he believes Will is capable of. Robin Williams truly stole the show in his two monologues that gives the movie a sentimental turn around. His genuine acting and the style in which he delivers beautiful words regarding the virtue of imperfection and knowledge versus experience, is one to remember for the ages. Williams’ sensitivity and likeability in the movie is evident simply by his appearance. His sweater vest paired with slacks, loafers, and a hat allows the viewer to relate to Sean and feel comfort when he is on the screen, especially because his simple facial expressions speak volumes.
Stellan Skarsgard gives a great performance in the film as his adoration and envy for Will drives him to do whatever is necessary to make his talents known and put to good use. However, his self-realization that his academics are not nearly on the same spectrum as Will, frightens Lambeau and it leads to an almost hatred because he knows that Will’s talent and those undiscovered, are far too advanced for him.
While the film as a whole has serious under tones and is based on serious issues and events in Will’s life, the filmmaker’s artistic background shines through the movie and adds a bright, graceful flow. Sant’s portrayal of college life is wonderfully shown with smooth atmospheric transitions from classroom to dorm room to local bar, making the neighborhood appear to be seemingly large yet inviting. The illuminating production design (by Missy Stewart) and the softly delicate cinematography (by Jean Yves Escoffier) perfectly add to the realistic setting of the south side of Boston.
The chemistry that Damon and Williams have on screen is unparalleled and easily evokes emotion within the audience. The doctor-patient relationship that they convey becomes significant and impactful for both Will and Sean. Will’s criticism and sarcasm passionately drives him to the doctor’s every flaws and nerves, adding some comic relief that Damon acts out devotedly.