An Ode To Good Will Hunting
November 3, 2023
Writer: Morgan Millstein
Editor: Lily Miro
To call Good Will Hunting a masterpiece does not do justice to Matt Damon and Ben Affleck’s cinematic pot of gold. Maybe I am being dramatic, but this movie changed my life. I believe that everyone should watch this movie with their best friend, a large bowl of buttery popcorn, and, of course, a big bag of Buncha Crunch. If you haven’t seen this movie, be prepared to laugh, cry, and feel a deeper connection to the characters than ever before.
Now, let me sum up the gist of the movie for those of you who haven’t seen it:
Will Hunting is not your usual young adult. By day, he’s a janitor at MIT; by night, he’s a scrappy South Boston local. Behind his thick accent and tough personality, he is a real-life genius. His brain is practically a calculator when it comes to academics, but when it comes to the real world, Will is as lost as can be. Professor Gerald Labeau discovers Will’s potential and realizes that he is truly a diamond in the rough. Lambeau got Will out of serving time in prison under two conditions: he would help solve math problems with his department, and he would go to therapy.
After Will scares away several therapists, Lambeau brings him to the profoundly hilarious Sean Maguire, played by Robin Williams. His approach to therapy is unconventional, to say the least. His life advice is peppered with humor, and he knows how to get his patients to open their minds without making them uncomfortable. Sean helps Will confront his past with a quirky blend of wisdom and humor, showing that healing can come in the most unexpected forms.
Now, for my dramatic (yet deserving) appraisal of Good Will Hunting:
Good Will Hunting exhibits a rare blend of wit and vulnerability. It captures the essence of human relationships and the beauty of therapy. Watching Good Will Hunting, I had my notes app open on my phone to write down quotes I knew I would want to refer back to.
I don’t know about you, but I want Robin Williams, known as Sean in the movie, to be my therapist. If you are someone who has always contemplated going to therapy or someone who questions whether it would be a meaningful experience, I urge you to watch this movie.
For myself, therapy has been a journey of ups and downs. I have gone through a handful of therapists; some I have connected with too profoundly, and others I barely scratched the surface with. Good Will Hunting beautifully encapsulates how a therapist-patient connection can be healing and even life-changing. I immediately scheduled an appointment with my therapist after watching this movie. I do believe that everyone, no matter how well they think they are doing, can benefit from therapy. Therapy can help you realize things you never knew you felt and guide you to understand yourself. While watching Good Will Hunting can feel like a form of therapy, watching it should remind you that in your next real therapy session, you may find your own Robin Williams. I know I did.
