Good Will Hunting

Gus Van Sant, USA 1997, 128 mins

Good Will Hunting is one of the most intriguing films to come out of Hollywood last year. Director Gus van Sant has made his mark in American independent cinema, having directed films like Drugstore Cowboy, My Own Private Idaho and To Die For - films about outsiders, with a distinctive vision of America. All of these films have been very much the work of Van Sant, but Good Will Hunting isn't. It is the pet project of its scriptwriters and stars Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. In Good Will Hunting, Van Sant demonstrates his ability to work in a more restrictive environment and emphasises his range and ability as a director.

The plot is right up Van Sant's street. The film centres around Will Hunting (Matt Damon), who is most definitely an outsider. It's not just that he is a working class Irish American, he even finds it hard to fit in with his peers. Will is a genius - a mathematical prodigy with a formidable command of many areas of knowledge. Instead of using this ability to leave behind the poverty of his background he is content to use it to impress girls and, occasionally, to defend himself in court. Will is forced to confront his under-achievement when his mathematical talent is discovered shortly before he is sentenced to jail for brawling. His only way out is to use his abilities and study while seeking counselling, forcing him to come to terms with the fact he has been throwing away the opportunities life has given him.

If that seems somewhat hackneyed, it is. This is the first script that either Damon or Affleck has written and it betrays a lack of confidence in its ability to interest the audience. The characterisation is sometimes laboured (it is not enough for Will to come from a poor background, he must also be orphaned) and the plot holds few surprises. What makes the film work is the skill of the filmmakers. The casting and acting shine - Robin Williams delivers a career best performance as Will's therapist. He reins in his manic energy to portray the older and wiser man who helps Will come to terms with himself. Credit must also be given to Damon, who copes well with the wide range of emotion required as Will. The hand of Van Sant is much less in evidence than normal - he films in a much more naturalistic style than is usual for him, to good effect.

Good Will Hunting is a touching and excellently crafted film, showcasing some of the finest acting of the year.

Mark Brown
EUFS Programme 1998-99