Ben Affleck, Casey Affleck, Cole Hauser

Will Hunting, a janitor at MIT, has a gift for mathematics which is discovered, and a psychologist tries to help him with his gift and the rest of his life.

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92% liked it

318,354 ratings

Critics

97% liked it

59 critics

R, 1 hr. 50 min.

Directed by: Gus Van Sant

Release Date: December 5, 1997

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DVD Release Date: December 8, 1998

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Stats: 17,424 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (17,424)


  • October 20, 2009
    Further cements the awesomeness of Matt Damon...Robin Williams was great too. Absolutely amazing movie, even though the ending leaves me wanting to see more!
  • September 21, 2009
    Contrived and very overrated but Ok.
  • August 22, 2009
    Great movie with an awesome cast!
  • June 16, 2009
    "Some people can never believe in themselves, until someone believes in them."

    Will Hunting, a janitor at MIT, has a gift for mathematics which is discovered, and a psychologist tries to help him with his gift and the rest of his life.

    ...( read more)tury Schoolbook">REVIEW
    I think it is safe to say that anyone who has seen this movie will wonder how two young actors managed to write such a beautiful and realistic story, with characters you can relate to despite the fact that one of them is an overlooked math genius. Add to that creditable performances from everyone involved (esp. Robin Williams in semi-dramatic mode), good directing and wonderful musical contribution from Elliott Smith (who was unfortunate not to win a Grammy for "Miss Misery"), and you have one of the most endearing movies ever. You can tell right away from the first scene that Matt Damon and Ben Affleck are the bestest of friends, and they have several poignant scenes in this movie. Minnie Driver was good as well, and you have to feel for her character. Well, like I said before...those two really should write more scripts, who knows what other stories are stored away in their heads. Watch this movie if you haven't already!
  • April 5, 2009
    "I don't see an intelligent, confident man. I see a cocky, scared shitless kid. But you're a genius Will. No one denies that. No one could possibly understand the depths of you."

    This movie just gets better and better the more you see it. "Good Will Hunting" was somewhat of a su...( read more)rprise winner at the '98 Oscars, giving Matt Damon and Ben Affleck their well-earned statues.

    Will Hunting (Matt Damon) is a genius. No denying that. But he has a lot of problems; intimacy, commitment, trust, just to name a few. But Will's biggest problem aren't these issues. His main problem is with himself. The only one that Will gives a chance to try to get inside of his head is Sean Maguire (Robin Williams).

    I just watched this yesterday evening for the first time in several years. I realized that what makes this film great, isn't the wonderful script but the career best performance by Robin Williams. His portrayal of Sean Maguire will go to my personal top performances. Touching and realistic, something that he will be remembered by.

    The rest of the cast, Matt Damon, Minnie Driver, Stellan Skarsgård also do a wonderful job. Even the so often despised Ben Affleck (with whom I've never had any problems with). But what happened to Minnie Driver? This role and the one in "Grosse Pointe Blank" should've opened the doors to stardom.

    The script is very character based. I enjoyed the dynamics between the leads, Williams-Damon and Damon-Driver. The script has a lot of fine dialogue and some really good long monologues, like the one where Sean first tells his opinion about Will. A complex, well written script that deserved every credit it got.

    "Real loss is only possible when you love something more than you love yourself."

    1997 was a fine year for movie enthusiasts. "Good Will Hunting" and "L.A Confidential" were both robbed by "Titanic". But in the end everyone got something they wanted that year. James Cameron got to be "King of the world" and I got to see this wonderful movie that just gets better and better.

    "I read your book last night.
    - So you're the one."
  • November 18, 2009
    This would get five stars, but I think Gus Vant Sant really sold himself short with the visual style of the film. His previous works were so personal and this just felt so alien to me. I think that is mainly due to the fact that that this is more of Matt Damon and Ben Affleck's m...( read more)ovie. They were really the one's that had the story all mapped out in their minds, you can see this same style when Affleck did Gone Baby Gone. Aside from that minor discrepancy, this is a perfect film. It has a great story and is rooted more in reality than practically any other coming of age story. It has all the charm and bitterness of life.
  • November 8, 2009
    Fantastic! Nothing more to say!
  • November 5, 2009
    It's a decent movie with decent actors. I found myself laughing after the pond scene as I imagined myself leaping out of my seat in the theater and pacing down the aisle and stairs going: "Oh shit, son! He did NOT just do that! He laid the smack down on Good Will Hunting! It is O...( read more)N!... IT. IS. ON!!!"

    "If you ever disrespect my wife again, I will end you."
  • November 3, 2009
    what do you want?
    simple question, hard answer. at least for me, i thought a lot about the answer and went nowhere.
  • November 1, 2009
    So many great scenes. Love it.

Critic Reviews


January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

The outcome of the movie is fairly predictable; so is the whole story, really. It's the individual moments, not the payoff, that make it so effective. full review

View more Good Will Hunting reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments


  • michellefortuin
    June 24, 2009
    The actors were great in this movie (especially Robin Williams) but the story wasn't that good. There were a few beautiful scenes but I didn't like it. Everybody says Good Will Hunting is such a great movie but I don't think that at all.
  • TheSlowPenguin
    September 2, 2007
    Best film of all time that I have ever seen!!!
  • diveheadfirstintocon
    March 6, 2007
    Id watch this just for the Southie accents. a great inspiring film.
  • VamIsaccson
    January 3, 2007
    I loved the ending...it was perfect. Matt Damon portrayed the role perfectly, and it was also the first time I've seen Robin Williams in action. He is a great actor! I would reccomend this to anyone.
  • fishy127
    December 31, 2006
    I love this movie so much! Despite what SOME people seem to think, it is most definately NOT a comedy. Please actually watch a movie before you try and review it, do not assume that just because Robin Williams is in it, it will be a comedy! Far from it. It is a subtle feel good movie.. it makes my cry every time!
  • alhamo83
    November 19, 2006
    "Gonna find my baby, gonna hold her tight, gonna grab some afternoon delight" - A great song to end a great movie.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Good Will Hunting Trivia


  • Ben Affleck's brother starred with him in Good Will Hunting, Chasing Amy, and 200 Cigarettes. What is his name?  Answer »
  • In "good will hunting", what school subject is Will excellent at? (Not history or economics)!  Answer »
  • For what movie did Ben Affleck & Matt Damon receive an Oscar for best screenplay?  Answer »
  • In what movie did Robin Williams star as a therapist to Matt Damon?  Answer »

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