"It's not your fault...it's not your fault...it's not your fault..."      

GOOD WILL HUNTING (R) 

Reviewed December 26, 1997 - Check out the Good Will Hunting web site.

Good Will Hunting is one of those nicely written, wonderfully acted, emotionally rich films that usually gets much less attention than it deserves.  Starring Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Robin Williams, Stellan Skarsgard and Minnie Driver, Good Will Hunting centers around Will Hunting (Damon), a brilliantly smart but troubled young man living in the rougher neighborhoods of South Boston.  In and out of trouble with the law and working as a janitor at MIT, Will is "discovered" one day by Professor Lambeau (Skarsgard), who wants Will to use his genius for more productive scientific pursuits.  Will, of course, wants no part of Lambeau's world, but is forced to make a deal with Lambeau after a final incident with the law threatens to land him in prison.  The deal: Will forgoes the prison sentence but in turn must 1). spend time working with Lambeau on mathematical pursuits, and 2). see a therapist.

The remainder of this film is much less "plot-driven" than it is "character-driven."  Exploring Will's relationship with his best friend Charlie (Affleck), his girlfriend Skylar (Driver), and his therapist Sean McGuire (Williams), Good Will quietly cruises along as it delivers a stream of both genuine humor and heartfelt emotion.  The relationship between Will and his therapist Sean is particularly engaging, with both Damon and Williams turning in first-rate performances.  Suppressed emotions, hidden potential, fear, regret, and friendship are all examined in Good Will's 130+ minute runtime, and the result is a film that is both memorable and enlightening.  Director Gus Van Sant (Drugstore Cowboy, To Die For) handles both the characters and the plot with care, and offers a film definitely worth seeing this holiday season.

Responses from cyberspace--thanks for writing!

Chronicjnt@aol.com gives this movie  stars: "One of the best movies I have seen. All star cast delivers Laughter, Romance, and might make you a little teary eyed. Has all the elements of a great movie. If you havn't seen it, do so." (3/21/99)

jkl3@cornell.edu gives this movie  stars: "I went to the movie expecting to see a little more cock and balls since it was supposedly a romantic comedy...I was disappointed that there was absolutely no nudity." (3/8/99)

Joy gives this movie  stars: "This movie is amazing! It really tells the truth about South Boston I really felt I was there. The acting of Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, and Robin Williams was excellent. Without either one of these characters, it wouldn't have been a movie. All I can really say is, "Wow!" (11/30/98)

Kimberly Parizeau gives this movie  stars: "This was the best movie Ihave ever seen and I enjoyed watching it more than once. It was a sad,romantic movie and Matt Damon was the best part about it." (11/13/98)

Zoe' Grimsted gives this movie  stars: "I would have rated the move a 5 star but I put 4.5 because of the cursing and I'm not into that much and there was a lot of oh well I was funny, but yet very tuching! I really injoyed it! Matt was so cute in it as always!!" (9/2/98)

robinr@mail.coos.or.us gives this movie  stars: "Good story line and well acted. The level of profanity was so sickening, I almost turned it off within the first 15 minutes. The movie would've been MUCH BETTER if the language was cleaned up; then, it would've been an appropriate film for all ages." (8/22/98)

clbundy@grandnet.com gives this movie  stars: "I really enjoyed this movie. It helped that Matt is good looking! I liked the whole idea of it, and the outcome was unpredictable." (7/12/98)

The Girl gives this movie  stars: "What can I say except Good Will Hunting is an awesome movie! I absolutly loved it! Matt, Robin, Ben and Minnie were all great." (7/7/98)

dork_1234@hotmail.com gives this movie  stars: "This is the best movie I have ever- and probably will ever- see. I used to be obsessed with Titanic, and when my friend was going to take me to this movie, I almost didn't go- I wanted to see Titanic fr the fifth time. When I got there, I was sooo glad I went. In Titanic, I got up to go to the bathroom, but in this movie there was no way. I still love Titanic, but compared to this movie, it's just not the same. What can I say? I really really love Good Will Hunting!" (6/4/98)

lagrange@paradise.net.nz gives this movie  stars: "Of course I think this is one of the best movies of the year. Deifinitely one of a kind, nothing like the shallow action-adventure that Hollywood seems to churn out by the dozens. That, and nobody can do the Boston accent like someone who's from Boston." (5/23/98)

Mirjam gives this movie  stars: "Beautiful movie, Matt is a great actor and I really think he is totally gonna make it. As a matter of fact, he did already." (4/14/98)

DoUKnowLR@aol.com gives this movie  stars: "This was maybe the best movie I had ever seen! I really hate all the dumb Hollywood movies that are too Hollywoodish. This movie was so genius, and so original. It had what most movies lack, being truly human. Matt Damon was absolutely outstanding, he definetly deserved the Best Actor nomination. The acting, script, and direction was so great, I think that ever should see Good Will Hunting!" (4/9/98)

David gives this movie  stars: "Very good plot mixed with some great actors equals Good Will Hunting. The storyline is emotional yet funny and has great performances by Matt Damon, who I think will be close for the Best Actor Oscar, and of course Robin Williams who plays a much more serious role. Stunningly superb!" (3/18/98)