Good Will Hunting

Directed by Gus Van Sant (1997)

Written by Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, Good Will Hunting is exactly as pretentious as the title suggests, but it’s also so self-assured that you can’t help but be enchanted by it. Will Hunting (Damon) is a janitor at MIT who, unbeknownst to most, is a math genius. When his skills are discovered by the pompous professor (Stellan Skarsgård), he agrees to help Will avoid jail time if he attends therapy and works with him on complex math formulas. Robin Williams plays Sean, Will’s therapist, with a mix of paternal affection and brutal honesty.

If Will’s guarded persona, which is only broken down by Minnie Driver’s Skylar, is the heart of the film, then Sean’s therapy sessions are its soul—uncovering the vulnerable, scared kid behind the tough exterior. The film’s script is tight and efficient with razor sharp dialogue, and the fact that it won an Oscar for best original screenplay shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone. While its themes aren’t particularly new (appearances can deceive, trauma impedes growth, and connection heals), the heartfelt performances elevate these familiar ideas to something timeless. Good Will Hunting is a cinematic classic not just for its story, but for its beautiful reminder that when we become the best versions of ourselves, the world itself is better for it.

Rating: A