Good Will Hunting Review: A Genius, a Therapist and a Friendship

Madison Clarke
MoviesDrama
Good Will Hunting (1997)

8.5/10 — Good Will Hunting (1997)

Pros

  • Robin Williams's moving performance
  • Sharp, funny script
  • Warm friendships

Cons

  • Underdeveloped romance

Will Hunting, a janitor at MIT who is secretly a mathematical genius, is steered toward therapy with Sean Maguire, played by Robin Williams, instead of prison. Matt Damon and Ben Affleck won an Oscar for their script.

What works

Williams is moving and funny, and the park bench and ‘it’s not your fault’ scenes are emotional highlights. Damon is convincing as the wounded prodigy, and the friendship between Will and his Boston mates is the film’s warm heart.

Where it falters

Will’s genius is somewhat convenient as a plot device, and the romance with Skylar is thin.

Verdict

Heartfelt and well acted, powered by one of Robin Williams’s best performances.

Madison ClarkeBy Madison Clarke