‘Good Will Hunting’ in review

The UAC presents a heartwarming film sure to stand the test of time

More stories from Alyssa Anderson

Getting Weird
December 13, 2018
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If you are one of the very few people who haven’t seen this movie, drop what you’re doing immediately and get watching.

“Good Will Hunting” is arguably one of the best American films of all time and I don’t say these things lightly. Seriously, this is a really awesome movie.

This 1997 masterpiece was the brainchild of the young, adorable and soon-to-be stars Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, eventually winning them an Academy Award for their delightfully original and heartwarming screenplay.

Damon and Affleck have been A-listers ever since.

Directed by the renowned Gus Van Sant, this film tells the story of Will Hunting, played by Matt Damon, 20-year-old troublemaker, labor worker and South Boston native with a troubled past.

After assaulting a police officer, Hunting is forced to meet with an eccentric therapist (Robin Williams), who helps him navigate his relationships with his long-time best friend (Ben Affleck) and his new love interest (Minnie Driver).

Will and his therapist soon form a strange friendship, allowing him to delve into his traumatic past and discover his true talent: math.

Despite the fact that he has spent his life working in the labor field, Will is mysteriously good at math. Things get rocky when Will begins studying advanced mathematics with an insanely pretentious Ivy League math professor and Will is forced to re-evaluate his goals.

Will he stay in Boston to do labor work with his best friend? Will he choose to follow his girlfriend across the country to do super-cool math stuff? I guess you’ll just have to wait and see.

I could quite literally drone on and on for days about how much I love this movie, but I’ll try to restrain myself from going overboard.

First of all, any movie starring Matt Damon already has my attention. Pair that with a young Ben Affleck, Robin Williams and some intense Boston accents and I’m sold.

This film was inspiring without trying too hard. In an understated way, this movie motivated me to get my life together, find my passions and pursue my dreams.

Usually, films about “inspiring” or “motivational” stories bore me. I might just be a pessimist, but movies that go above and beyond in an attempt to inspire audiences make me yawn.

But this film was different.

A relatable, heart-wrenching portrayal of friendship, love and the rollercoaster that is life. Although I have never been to Boston, I don’t work in construction and I am nowhere near a math genius, I find I can relate to the character of Will Hunting.

As cheesy as it sounds, this film made me realize that I can do anything I put my mind to. I’m literally cringing as I write this, but I mean it. This film gives me hope that even the most ordinary people can do extraordinary things.

If you’re in need of a little motivation before finals, be sure to catch ‘Good Will Hunting’ at 7 p.m. on Friday May 13 or Saturday May 14 at the Woodland Theater in Davies.