Random Movie Review - Good Will Hunting

When we see actors like Matt Damon and Robin Williams doing their thing, we would normally see the former as an action hero and the latter as a comedy legend. So when I came across the film Good Will Hunting, at first glimpse it felt like it was a horror film. But as I got down to watching it, it wasn't that at all and it was kind of good to see Damon and Williams play as characters that are indeed different to what we would normally see them in. With a sceenplay by Damon and then future Batman Ben Affleck, this looks to be one of the few films that is a good break for the two main actors and their respective genres. So let's get down to it:

The film is focused on the titular character of Will Hunting (played by Damon) who is a self taught genius, but has a troubled life. While spending time with his friends one day (two of whom is played by Affleck and his younger brother Casey), he gets caught up in a gang fight in which he gets arrested for. Having seen his ability to solve complicated mathematics equations prior to the fight and attending his court trial, MIT professor Gerald Lambeau (played by Bootstrap Bill Turner himself, Stellan Skarsgård) offers to free Will from a prison sentence on the conditions that he continues to solve his equations and have therapy sessions. While the equation side of things goes well for the most part, all of Will's therapists prove to be unable to handle him which leads Lambeau to hire his former college roommate Dr. Sean Maguire (played by Williams) who after a tense first session, agrees to continue seeing him. And soon enough Will begins to re-evaluate his life, relationships and to work on his future with a few obstacles to tackle along the way.

So although its not Matt Damon and Robin Williams in their usual roles of the action star and the comic relief respectively, it is a very good film. The cast (especially the two main leads) play their parts well, the story although predictable is done really well and its overall just a sweet film where sometimes having therapy isn't such a bad thing to do when you have the right person for the job. 8/10