IGN.com|AskMen.com|Rotten Tomatoes|GameSpy|FilePlanet|TeamXbox|CheatsCodesGuides|GameStats|Direct2Drive|Green Pixels
RottenTomatoes.com
Log In | Register | What is RT?
Learn More About Rotten Tomatoes
  • Home
  • Movies
  • DVD
  • Celebrities
  • News
  • Critics
  • Trailers & Pictures
  • The Vine
  • Forums
  • Box Office
  • | In Theaters
  • | Opening
  • | Upcoming
  • | Best Of
  • | Certified Fresh
  • | Showtimes
RT Search Powered by Google
help icon Enhanced RT
searches on Google
Click here to turn on enhanced search results from RT on your Google searches by subscribing to our Google Subscribed Links profile.
 
Movies / On DVD / Good Will Hunting
Good Will Hunting

Rate this Movie Help Icon

  • Write a Review
  • Read Reviews
  • Email to a Friend
  • Add to List
  • Bookmark and Share
  • Get this Movie
  • Buy Poster External Icon

Good Will Hunting (1997)

  • T-Meter Critics
  • Top Critics
  • RT Community
  • My Critics
  • My Friends
  • DVD
97 %
Tomatometer

How does the Tomatometer work Help Icon

Reviews Counted: 58

Fresh: 56

Rotten:2

Average Rating: 8.1/10

Consensus: Van Sant, working from Affleck and Damon's script, lends warmth and real emotion to the film's somewhat basic story.

Runtime: 2 hrs 6 mins

Genre: Dramas

Synopsis: A South Boston whiz kid elects to clean the halls of learning rather than enter them, slumming his way through life as a janitor at MIT. But his natural ability to unravel complex equations attracts the attention of a professor who won't let... A South Boston whiz kid elects to clean the halls of learning rather than enter them, slumming his way through life as a janitor at MIT. But his natural ability to unravel complex equations attracts the attention of a professor who won't let him quit, a beautiful Harvard student who wants to save him, a sympathetic buddy who wants him to escape South Boston, and a counselor who encourages him. A soundly acclaimed, homegrown effort from lifelong Boston buddies Damon and Affleck, who pushed their script through development by disguising it as a suspense thriller. [More]

Starring: Matt Damon, Robin Williams, Ben Affleck, Minnie Driver

Starring: Matt Damon, Robin Williams, Ben Affleck, Minnie Driver, Stellan Skarsgaard, Casey Affleck, Cole Hauser, John Mighton, Rachel Majowski, Colleen McCauley, Alison Folland, George Plimpton

Director: Gus Van Sant

Director: Gus Van Sant
Screenwriter: Ben Affleck, Matt Damon
Composer: Danny Elfman
Producer: Lawrence Bender

[See More Credits]

Get This Movie

  • Buy DVD
 
 
 
 
Release:

Jan 5, 1999

[DVD Details]
 
 
  • Good Will Hunting
  • A true motion picture phenomenon, this triumphant story was nominated for 9 Academy Awards(R) -- winning Oscars for Robin Williams (Best Supporting Actor) and hot newcomers Matt Damon and Ben Affleck (Best Original Screenplay). The most brilliant mind at America's top university isn't a student ... he's the kid who cleans the floors! Will Hunting (Damon) is a headstrong, working-class genius who's failing the lessons of life. After one too many run-ins with the law, Will's last chance is a psychology professor (Williams), who might be the only man who can reach him! With acclaimed performances from Academy Award(R)-nominee Minnie Driver (GROSSE POINTE BLANK) and Ben Affleck (ARMAGEDDON) -- you'll find GOOD WILL HUNTING a powerful and unforgettable movie experience!
  • Source: Buena Vista Home Entertainment
  • Reviews for Good Will Hunting

    • T-Meter Critics
    • Top Critics
    • RT Community
    • My Critics
    • My Friends
    • DVD
     
     
    1 - 20 (sorted by date)
    Text View | 1 2 3 4 >> >|
    Arrange By: Fresh | Rotten | Comments | Name | Source | Date
     
     
    Ratings Image

    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

    Full Review Source: Variety | comment Comment
    02/05/08
    Emanuel Levy
    Variety
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic
    Ratings Image

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

    Full Review Source: Houston Community Newspapers | comment Comment
    05/09/07
    Gary Brown
    Houston Community Newspapers
    N/R

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: New York Observer | comment Comment
    04/27/07
    Andrew Sarris
    New York Observer
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic
    Ratings Image

    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.

    Full Review Source: Combustible Celluloid | comment Comment
    05/26/06
    Jeffrey M. Anderson
    Combustible Celluloid
    N/R

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
    02/09/06
    Derek Adams
    Time Out
    Ratings Image

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Film Threat | comment Comment
    12/06/05
    Film Threat
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic
    Ratings Image

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

    Full Review Source: Arizona Daily Star | comment Comment
    10/07/05
    Phil Villarreal
    Arizona Daily Star
    Ratings Image

    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.

    Full Review Source: Ain't It Cool Movie Reviews | comment Comment
    06/25/05
    Moriarty
    Ain't It Cool Movie Reviews
    N/R

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Reeling Reviews | comment Comment
    04/09/05
    Robin Clifford
    Reeling Reviews
    Ratings Image

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

    Full Review Source: Looking Closer | comment Comment
    01/15/05
    Jeffrey Overstreet
    Looking Closer
    Ratings Image

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

    Full Review Source: Cinenganos | comment Comment
    06/05/04
    Alex Ramirez
    Cinenganos
    Ratings Image

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: rec.arts.movies.reviews | comment Comment
    04/21/04
    Dragan Antulov
    rec.arts.movies.reviews
    Ratings Image

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

    Full Review Source: Ozus' World Movie Reviews | comment Comment
    02/27/04
    Dennis Schwartz
    Ozus' World Movie Reviews
    Ratings Image

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

    Full Review Source: Kalamazoo Gazette | comment Comment
    07/02/03
    James Sanford
    Kalamazoo Gazette
    N/R

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Film Blather | comment Comment
    05/22/03
    Eugene Novikov
    Film Blather
    Ratings Image

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Palo Alto Weekly | comment Comment
    05/14/03
    Jeanne Aufmuth
    Palo Alto Weekly
    Ratings Image

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Film Quips Online | comment Comment
    02/08/03
    John R. McEwen
    Film Quips Online
    Ratings Image

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Film Threat | comment Comment
    12/08/02
    Film Threat
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic
    Ratings Image

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Netflix | comment Comment
    11/07/02
    James Rocchi
    Netflix
    N/R

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Minneapolis Star Tribune | comment Comment
    11/06/02
    Jeff Strickler
    Minneapolis Star Tribune
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic
    1 - 20 (sorted by date)
    Text View | 1 2 3 4 >> >|
    all

    Latest News for Good Will Hunting

    June 04, 2008: RT Interview: Ben Affleck Goes After the Critics for a Change
    The actor-turned-director on Gone Baby Gone, his relationship with reviewers and, erm, his favourite critical aggregator... RT! More...

    February 08, 2008: Howard Zinn's People's History Getting Feature Doc Treatment
    If you've had Howard Zinn's A People's History of the United States on your must-read list for years, but have always been too lazy to actually open the book, good news: It's... More...

    December 12, 2007: Total Recall: I Am Legend and the Work of Richard Matheson
    This week, Will Smith plays a guy who discovers he's the last man on earth in I Am Legend. So it's a good time to take a look at the movie work of Richard Matheson, who penned... More...

    October 17, 2007: Total Recall: Ben (Affleck's) Bits
    In Gone Baby Gone, Ben Affleck directs younger brother Casey in a mystery surrounding the case of a missing Boston girl. In the spirit of Total Recall, we decided to take a look... More...

    See More Topics...

    Related Forums for Good Will Hunting

    My Favorite Movie
    by: williebark 4/11


    sguy78
    This was a very well made film...
    by: sguy78 10/19/07


    sguy78
    This was a very well made film...
    by: sguy78 10/19/07


    Increedible
    by: Music Critic 99 7/21/07


    Absolutely Fantastic
    by: Timothy Coons 11/20/06
    See All

    More DVDs

    Top Rentals
    Tomatometer Percentage Movie
    ROTTEN: 1 48% Smart People
    FRESH: 2 89% Kung Fu Panda
    FRESH: 3 61% Journey to the Center …
    FRESH: 4 67% The Incredible Hulk
    FRESH: 5 76% Indiana Jones and the …

    More Rentals…

    New On DVD This Week
    Tomatometer Percentage Movie
    FRESH: 96 96% WALL-E
    FRESH: 83 83% Tropic Thunder
    FRESH: 63 63% Sisterhood of the Trav…
    FRESH: 93 93% Encounters At the End …
    FRESH: 88 88% Gonzo: The Life and Wo…

    More New Releases…

    What’s Hot On RT

    Star Trek TV Trailer

    Star Trek TV Trailer

    Live long and watch our exclusive video!

    Guillermo del Toro

    Guillermo del Toro

    Five favorite films with the Hellboy director. ...

    Dance Flick Trailer

    Dance Flick Trailer

    The latest spoof from the Wayans bros.

    Twilight Guide

    Twilight Guide

    Meet the characters of the vampire romance.

    More Info

    RT To Go

    Get this widget! Movie Reviews

    Around The Network

    • Good Will Hunting at Rotten Tomatoes
    • Good Will Hunting at IGN
     
     
    About| Site Map| Help| RT To Go| Contact Us| Critics Submission| Linking to RT| Licensing| Movie List| Celebs List| Newsletter
    IGN Logo

    IGN.com | GameSpy | Comrade | Arena | FilePlanet | ModCenter | GameSpy Technology
    TeamXbox | Planets | Vaults | VE3D | CheatsCodesGuides | GameStats | GamerMetrics
    AskMen.com | Rotten Tomatoes | Direct2Drive | Green Pixels


    By continuing past this page, and by the continued use of this site, you agree to be bound by and abide by the User Agreement.
    Copyright 1998-2008, IGN Entertainment, Inc. About IGN | Support | Advertise | Privacy Policy | User Agreement | Subscribe to RT's XML feed! IGN RSS Feeds
    IGN's enterprise databases running Oracle, SQL and MySQL are professionally monitored and managed by Pythian Remote DBA
    Certain product data ©1995-present Muze, Inc. For personal use only. All rights reserved.