Film: Good Will Hunting
Director: Gus Van Sant
Country: USA
Released: December 1997
Runtime: 126 minutes
Genre: Drama
Studio: Be Gentlemen / Miramax
Influenced: Kevin Smith, Lena Dunham, Cameron Crowe, Zack Snyder, Kenneth Lonergan
No list of the greatest movies of all time would be complete without a film featuring one of the most charismatic actors ever to grace the silver screen: Robin Williams. In the late 80s, 90s and early noughties, Williams was one of the most well-known and well-loved actors on the planet. You could make a case that his role as English teacher John Keating in Dead Poets Society (1989) was his best performance, while others might prefer his breakthrough role as a wartime DJ in Good Morning, Vietnam (1987), but for me nothing surpasses his triumphant turn as the therapist Dr Sean Maguire in Good Will Hunting. Some might prefer his comic performances as the genie in Aladdin (1992) or as Mrs Doubtfire (1997), or even his later, more sinister roles against type in One Hour Photo (2002) or Insomnia (2002), but there's something about the warmth, sadness and humanity of Williams in Good Will Hunting that feels so abiding and true.
The idea for the film originated from a one-act play that Matt Damon had written for a playwriting class at Harvard University. Damon and Ben Affleck, who had been childhood friends, developed it into a full-length screenplay. They were inspired by their own experiences growing up in the Boston area and used some elements from their lives in creating the story. As well as producer Lawrence Bender, there were two other key figures responsible for shaping the script. Rob Reiner’s company bought the script and he suggested that Damon and Affleck focus on the relationship between Will and his therapist, rather than making it a CIA political spy thriller. Also of note in the development stage was Terrence Malick, who was a family friend of the Afflecks, and as a result Damon and Affleck managed to arrange a script meeting with the legendary director. Malick didn’t read the script but made the suggestion that, “I think it would be better if she left and he went after her.”
"Son of a bitch, he stole my line" was one of many improvised moments by Williams, but obviously much of the credit for the film's sharp dialogue must go to Damon and Affleck, who wrote the screenplay in response to the limited acting opportunities they were receiving in Hollywood. To prepare for their roles, Damon and Affleck visited MIT and spoke to students, helping them understand the academic setting in which we find Will Hunting (Damon), a janitor at MIT who possesses extraordinary mathematical talents but is haunted by a troubled past and emotional issues. When Will solves a complex maths problem that baffles even the most accomplished professors, he attracts the attention of Professor Gerald Lambeau (Stellan Skarsgård). After a series of events, Will is court-ordered to undergo therapy, and he reluctantly starts sessions with therapist Dr Maguire (Williams). As a result of their sessions, Will begins to confront his past traumas and struggles, notably in the beautiful and important park bench scene. Up to that point, Will is presented as a young Superman, but Maguire takes him down a peg or two and reminds him that being smart is just one part of being a fully-formed human being.
Good Will Hunting was a critical and commercial success, receiving numerous awards, including Oscars for Best Original Screenplay and Best Supporting Actor (Williams). The film also won Golden Globe Awards for Best Picture, Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Williams), Best Screenplay and a nomination for Best Director (Gus Van Sant). Elliot Smith was also nominated for the Best Song Oscar for Miss Misery, and Smith's music – especially the love scene between Will and Skylar (Minnie Driver) soundtracked by Between The Bars – is one of the outstanding features of the movie. Equally, I love how the film offers a nuanced portrayal of mental health issues, and also how it showcases Boston as a rich and authentic backdrop, influencing other directors to use the city as a location for filmmaking. One small criticism is that Will's supreme intelligence and learning is a bit far-fetched, but we have to suspend disbelief and, in fact, the mathematical equations and concepts used in the film were praised for their accuracy, adding an element of realism to the story.
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