We couldn't do a Robin Williams month and not mention Good Will Hunting, the role which won him his only Academy Award (Best Supporting Actor). In addition to his role, the movie is pretty solid, with amazing direction from Gus Van Sant.
Will Hunting (Matt Damon) is a young mathematical genius with a photographic memory who works simply as a janitor at MIT. He mostly hangs out with his friends Chuckie (Ben Affleck) and Morgan (Casey Affleck) and they mostly spend time drinking and getting into fights. One day Will solves a difficult maths problem set by Professor Gerry Lambeau (Stellan Skarsgård). He eventually gets caught by Lambeau, who sees potential in Will.
But Will's troubled past gets in his way and one of his conditions of working with Lambeau is that he goes and sees a psychiatrist. After a slew of failed attempts, Lambeau contacts Sean Maguire (Williams), his old college roommate and asks him for help.
While this story of troubled kid tries to make something of himself is nothing new, Good Will Hunting is still a great movie. A lot of this comes down to the amazing performances and direction. Of course the setting of South Boston is also a rousing feature (our friend Mark Wahlberg tells of his passion for Southie here).
Van Sant has always been an amazing director and I always look forward to his movies. He has chosen a slightly overexposed look for this movie, but at the same time focuses on warmer colours for most of the scenes.
But I should really be talking about Williams performance. Although we don't get introduced to him until halfway through the film, Williams dominates every scene he is in from that point. Although he does have his funny moments, most of the time he is sombre and reflective. He is a great mentor to Will and really tries to open him up to realising that it's okay to be vulnerable at times.
Both Matt Damon and Ben Affleck are also great in the film (although they did write these roles for themselves). While they didn't win any awards for acting, they won Best Original Screenplay. Skarsgård is great as the gruff Gerry Lambeau and Minnie Driver adds some touching moments to this all-boy movie.
Verdict: This movie is a must-see if only for Williams award-winning performance.
But I should really be talking about Williams performance. Although we don't get introduced to him until halfway through the film, Williams dominates every scene he is in from that point. Although he does have his funny moments, most of the time he is sombre and reflective. He is a great mentor to Will and really tries to open him up to realising that it's okay to be vulnerable at times.
Both Matt Damon and Ben Affleck are also great in the film (although they did write these roles for themselves). While they didn't win any awards for acting, they won Best Original Screenplay. Skarsgård is great as the gruff Gerry Lambeau and Minnie Driver adds some touching moments to this all-boy movie.
Verdict: This movie is a must-see if only for Williams award-winning performance.
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