Review of Good Will Hunting (1997)

by Kim Bunce

Directed by Gus Van Sant. Cast: Matt Damon (Will); Robin Williams (Sean);

Minnie Driver (Skylar);Ben Affleck (Chuckie); Stellan Skarsgard (Professor

Lambeau).USA. Color. 120 minutes.

Good Will Hunting was a film worth seeing. To begin, I came away from this film with a clear sense of what it was trying to say to the viewer. Good Will Hunting makes a statement on the value of certain kinds of knowledge. Will possesses a great gift of mathematical knowledge, yet he lives his life in a state of chaos and violence. He is unable to trust others and resists forming lasting bonds with them. In fact, all three main characters possess great knowledge and intellect, yet none of them are truly happy or at peace. Personal satisfaction and happiness are not contingent on what we know, but on how we use what we know. The events of our life will teach us some of the most important things we need to know.

The mise-en-scene of Good Will Hunting worked quite effectively to evoke certain ideas and feelings. Will's life was illustrated by his cluttered and rundown house in South Boston. He and his hoodlum type friends roam the streets and local bars and usually end up with some type of confrontation along the way. Every scene is full of activity and confusion, and the frame is crowded with objects and images. Will seems to have no real direction or focus on his life.

In contrast to the chaos and confusion of Will's life, the university and business institutions were always shot with tones of black and white and the settings seemed cold, ordered and impersonal. We get the feeling of insincerity in a rather austere environment. The ability to convey these abstract ideas and feelings is one strength of Good Will Hunting.

The acting in the film was excellent. Each actor did a good job portraying the essence of their character. They were believable and convincing and each one had experienced personal struggles and pain. The viewer can feel sympathetic towards each character.

The plot, tone and setting of Good Will Hunting is realistic in style. The story is simple and relates to the real-life feelings and experiences of the characters. The setting is unmanipulated and shot on locations throughout Boston. It is the content rather than the form that is important in this film.

Good Will Hunting is rated R and is meant to be viewed by an 18 years and

older audience. There is a lot of adult language throughout the film. I think the film would appeal to the general public, although some people may not appreciate the strong language.