Good Will Hunting (1997)
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A troubled but self-taught mathematical genius working as a janitor at MIT must confront his past while navigating the complexities of his relationships.
The story
Set in Boston, the film follows Will Hunting, a troubled but self-taught genius working as a janitor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), whose talent is discovered by professor Gerald Lambeau. To avoid jail after being charged with assaulting an officer, Will agrees to study math under Lambeau's supervision while attending therapy with psychologist Sean Maguire. This arrangement forces Will to confront his past and his relationships, including with a Harvard student named Skylar, as he navigates the conflict between his immense intellectual potential and his guarded personal life.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
After being paroled, Will Hunting, a rebellious 20-year-old from South Boston, works as a janitor at MIT. He is discovered by Professor Gerald Lambeau after solving a complex mathematical problem on a blackboard. Following a legal dispute, Will is allowed to stay out of jail on the condition that he studies math with Lambeau and attends therapy with Sean Maguire. While Will initially mocks his therapists, Sean challenges his defenses and helps him confront his history of abuse. Simultaneously, Will begins a relationship with Skylar, a Harvard student, but hides his background from her. As Lambeau pushes Will toward professional opportunities, Will faces the choice between his safe, familiar life and a future of his own making. After a breakthrough with Sean regarding his past, Will accepts a job offer and decides to move toward a new life, ultimately choosing to travel to California to reunite with Sk1ylar.
- First release year
- 1997
- Runtime (minutes)
- 126
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Gus Van Sant
- Writers
- Ben Affleck · writer; Matt Damon · writer
- Cast and characters
- Matt Damon · Will Hunting; Robin Williams · Dr. Sean Maguire; Ben Affleck · Chuckie Sullivan; Stellan Skarsgård · Professor Gerald Lambeau; Minnie Driver · Skylar; Casey Affleck · Morgan O'Mally; Cole Hauser · Billy McBride
- Genres
- drama; independent; psychological
- Themes
- identity; trauma; social class; education
- Tone and mood
- intimate; heartfelt; serious
- Premise and plot tags
- genius; underdog; coming-of-age
- Content notes
- profanity
- Reception
- The film received widespread critical acclaim, particularly for Robin Williams' performance and the screenplay by Affleck and Damon. It was noted for being an emotionally rich drama with a strong sense of authenticity.
- Reported review scores
- Rotten Tomatoes · score: 97% · scale: percentage · review count: 91; Metacritic · score: 71 · scale: 100 · review count: 28; CinemaScore · score: A · scale: A+ to F
- Awards and nominations
- Best Original Screenplay · Academy Awards · win; Best Supporting Actor · Academy Awards · win; Best Actor · Academy Awards · nomination; Best Director · Academy Awards · nomination; Best Film Editing · Academy Awards · nomination; Best Original Dramatic Score · Academy Awards · nomination; Best Original Song · Academy Awards · nomination; Best Picture · Academy Awards · nomination; Best Supporting Actress · Academy Awards · nomination; Best Original Screenplay · Critics' Choice Movie Award · win; Best Screenplay · Golden Globe Award · win; Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role · Screen Actors Guild Award · win; Achievement in World Cinema Award · European Film Academy · win
- Production trivia
- The script was initially written by Matt Damon as a final assignment for a playwriting class.; The film's title was purchased from a script by a high school friend of the actors.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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