Good Will Hunting is a 1997 American drama film directed by Gus Van Sant and starring Matt Damon, Robin Williams, Minnie Driver, Ben Affleck, and Stellan Skarsgård. The film tells the story of Will Hunting (Damon), a brilliant but troubled young man who is discovered to have a genius-level IQ. Will is forced to confront his past and his demons with the help of a therapist (Williams) and his friends (Driver and Affleck). The film was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $225 million worldwide against a production budget of $10 million. It was nominated for nine Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor for Damon and Williams, and won two Oscars for Best Original Screenplay (Damon and Affleck) and Best Supporting Actor (Williams).
Synopsis
Good Will Hunting follows the story of Will Hunting (Matt Damon), a brilliant but troubled young man from South Boston. Despite his exceptional mathematical abilities, Will works as a janitor at MIT and spends his days hanging out with his friends, Chuckie (Ben Affleck), Billy (Cole Hauser), and Morgan (Casey Affleck).
One day, Will solves a complex equation written on a blackboard by Professor Gerald Lambeau (Stellan Skarsgård). Impressed by Will's genius, Lambeau takes him under his wing and tries to help him overcome his emotional problems and realize his full potential. Will reluctantly agrees to undergo therapy with Dr. Sean Maguire (Robin Williams).
As Will delves into his past and relationships, he grapples with issues of abandonment, love, and self-worth. With Maguire's guidance and the support of Lambeau and his friends, Will begins to break down his walls and confront his demons. However, his journey is not without its challenges, as he struggles to balance his newfound happiness with his fear of rejection and failure.
In a poignant and ultimately triumphant tale, Good Will Hunting explores the transformative power of human connection and the importance of embracing one's own potential.
Movie Info
- Rating: R
- Genre: Drama
- Original Language: English
- Director: Gus Van Sant
- Stars: Matt Damon, Robin Williams, Ben Affleck, Minnie Driver, Stellan Skarsgård
- Producer: Lawrence Bender
- Writer: Matt Damon, Ben Affleck
- Release Date: December 5, 1997 (USA)
- Runtime: 126 minutes
- Distributor: Miramax
- Production Co: LivePlanet, Newmarket Capital Group
- Sound Mix: Dolby Digital
- Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1