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Good Will Hunting

Good Will Hunting (1997)

tomatometer

97

Average Rating: 8/10
Reviews Counted: 69
Fresh: 67 | Rotten: 2

It follows a predictable narrative arc, but Good Will Hunting adds enough quirks to the journey -- and is loaded with enough powerful performances -- that it remains an entertaining, emotionally rich drama.

100

Average Rating: 7.8/10
Critic Reviews: 17
Fresh: 17 | Rotten: 0

It follows a predictable narrative arc, but Good Will Hunting adds enough quirks to the journey -- and is loaded with enough powerful performances -- that it remains an entertaining, emotionally rich drama.

audience

92

liked it
Average Rating: 3.9/5
User Ratings: 318,354

My Rating

Movie Info

Matt Damon and Ben Affleck co-scripted and star in this drama, set in Boston and Cambridge, about rebellious 20-year-old MIT janitor Will Hunting (Damon), gifted with a photographic memory, who hangs out with his South Boston bar buddies, his best friend Chuckie (Affleck), and his affluent British girlfriend Skylar (Minnie Driver). After MIT professor Lambeau (Stellan Skarsgard) stumps students with a challenging math formula on a hallway blackboard, Will anonymously leaves the correct solution,

R,

Drama

Ben Affleck, Matt Damon

Dec 8, 1998

Miramax Films

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Cast

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All Critics (69) | Top Critics (17) | Fresh (69) | Rotten (2) | DVD (14)

Towering performance by Matt Damon as a troubled working class who needs to address his creative genius elevates this drama way above its therapeutic approach, resulting in a zeitgeist film that may touch chord with young viewers the way The Graduate did

February 5, 2008 Full Review Source: Variety
Variety
Top Critic IconTop Critic

The film works as a character-driven narrative because Mr. Van Sant and his co-screenwriters are not afraid to unlock the psychological mysteries of their five major characters with clear and concise dialogue.

April 27, 2007 Full Review Source: New York Observer
New York Observer
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It's acted and directed with care, and Damon is outstanding, his scenes with Driver being especially sparky.

February 9, 2006 Full Review Source: Time Out
Time Out
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While the charismatic performances of Damon and Affleck make "Good Will Hunting" a difficult entertainment to resist, doing just that is not as hard as the film would like to think.

February 14, 2001 Full Review Source: Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times
Top Critic IconTop Critic

Even rarer than a breath of fresh air is a breath of fresh Hollywood film. Brainy and heartfelt and right on target, Good Will Hunting is such a film.

January 1, 2000
Boston Globe
Top Critic IconTop Critic

This has not been a great year for language in movies, but people are going to be memorizing and reciting some of these lines for years to come.

January 1, 2000
Film.com
Top Critic IconTop Critic

Most movies about troubled individuals are insulting in the way in which they suddenly wrap things up with insipid developments that cause tumultuous, positive transformations in the protagonist; this film avoids that pitfall.

September 13, 2012 Full Review Source: Creative Loafing
Creative Loafing

Whether it's one of his "safe" movies or not, Good Will Hunting has all the strong markings of a Gus Van Sant movie and Lionsgate shows the film requisite care on its Blu-ray transfer.

October 11, 2011 Full Review Source: Slant Magazine
Slant Magazine

Moving story of brilliant, troubled youth for mature teens.

July 8, 2010 Full Review Source: Common Sense Media
Common Sense Media

Despite its coarse exterior, Good Will Hunting proves to be a rather positive and motivational experience.

May 9, 2007 Full Review Source: Houston Community Newspapers
Houston Community Newspapers

Can get overly sentimental at times, but Gus Van Sant's sensitive direction... and his excellent use of the city make it a hugely entertaining and effective film.

May 26, 2006 Full Review Source: Combustible Celluloid
Combustible Celluloid

The film succeeds not because of an overall arc, but as a chain of smaller moments that glimmer in their minuscule perfection.

October 7, 2005 Full Review Source: Arizona Daily Star | Comments (4)
Arizona Daily Star

For the first time in his career, Van Sant is invisible as a filmmaker, simply getting out of the way of the story and his performers. The film is richer for it.

June 25, 2005 Full Review Source: Ain't It Cool Movie Reviews
Ain't It Cool Movie Reviews

Affleck is on my long list for Academy notice this year.

April 9, 2005 Full Review Source: Reeling Reviews
Reeling Reviews

... beneath their arrogance and crass behavior, you'll find a lot of hurt and many defense mechanisms raised against a compassionless, manipulative society.

January 15, 2005
Looking Closer

Uno sale del cine y se da cuenta de por qué la película recibió tanta atención.

June 5, 2004 Full Review Source: Cinenganos
Cinenganos

A charming, entertaining and uplifting movie with the title that perfectly fits its quality.

April 21, 2004 Full Review
rec.arts.movies.reviews

Not a work of art or great power, but it has some moving moments.

February 27, 2004 Full Review Source: Ozus' World Movie Reviews | Comments (30)
Ozus' World Movie Reviews

Though the movie tells a straightforward story, there are enough offbeat touches along the way to balance out its more predictable aspects.

July 2, 2003 Full Review Source: Kalamazoo Gazette
Kalamazoo Gazette

Reality of story combines with reality of performance to give us some of the most heartfelt emotions currently on the big screen.

February 8, 2003 Full Review Source: Film Quips Online
Film Quips Online

Audience Reviews for Good Will Hunting

An inspirational tale which has a nice fuzzy affect on those who believe they can do something great, however I really don't think it's that accessible. Will knows he has a talent whereas many people on this earth don't realise it, so it takes away part of the inspiration. It would be better if he didn't know how great he was, and his talent grew over the course of the film. A feel good watch, nonetheless.
October 4, 2012
StarCrossedVoyager

Super Reviewer

Thereâ(TM)s something suspicious about the story here. Itâ(TM)s quite ironic that the film itself is easily comparable to its lead character. Its script often seems to keep running on and on, similar to how Damonâ(TM)s character speaks quickly in his sentences of interminable length; it doesnâ(TM)t seem to care what its own outcome is; and, worst of all, it doesnâ(TM)t seem to be moving in any specific direction. For quite a long time, the film consists of talky, in-depth explanations of the characters it details. Each character seemed to be studied to a certain depth, with Williamsâ(TM)s and Damonâ(TM)s characters being expounded upon greatly. It takes at least forty-five minutes for the premise to be officially established, where we first see Dr. Maguire start to work with Will. After that, the film spends its precious time trying to explain upon this premise, but the pacing is so slow that it ends up going a very short distance.

Perhaps the greatest relief GOOD WILL HUNTING had to offer was Williamsâ(TM)s performance. Watching him break away from his comedic comfort zone is like listening to Afrika Bambaataa try to yodel. Whatâ(TM)s even more odd (and impressive), he succeeds enormously. If there is one performance that makes this film watchable, itâ(TM)s that from Robin Williams. Iâ(TM)ll include mention that this opened up the careers of other recognizable names such as Ben Affleck and Matt Damon. Those two are impressive in their acting roles, but Williams is the one that seems to shine.
July 21, 2011
spielberg00

Super Reviewer

    1. Sean McGuire: Disrespect my wife again and I'll burn down your house!
    – Submitted by Jesse K (38 days ago)
    1. Sean McGuire: People call those imperfections, but no, that's the good stuff.
    – Submitted by Nico L (2 months ago)
    1. Lambeau: Most days I wish I'd never met you 'cause then I could sleep at night. I didn't have to walk around with the knowledge that there was someone like you out there. I didn't have to watch you throw it all away.
    – Submitted by Herrera M (5 months ago)
    1. Lambeau: Most days I wish I'd never met you 'cause then I could sleep at night. I didn't have to walk around with the knowledge that there was someone like you out there. I didn't have to watch you throw it all away.
    – Submitted by Herrera M (5 months ago)
    1. Sean McGuire: Time's up.
    – Submitted by Bryan O (6 months ago)
    1. Morgan: My boy's wicked smart.
    – Submitted by Bryan O (7 months ago)

Discussion Forum

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Latest News on Good Will Hunting

August 23, 2012:
Gus Van Sant's Promised Land Moved to December
The Matt Damon and John Krasinski-led project will receive a limited release on December 28.

October 28, 2011:
Weekly Ketchup: Damon and Affleck Reunite for Boston Gangster Flick
This week's Ketchup includes new roles for Robert De Niro, Nathan Fillion, Kim Kardashian, Matthew...

January 6, 2011:
Terrence Malick Suggested Good Will Hunting's Ending
Did you enjoy the ending of "Good Will Hunting"? Turns out you have Terrence Malick to thank.

Foreign Titles

  • Will Hunting (FR)
  • El indomable Will Hunting (ES)
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