Human soul versus mathematical certainty

Rating: 10/10 (1 April 2008)

Your "gift" is the people who love you.
I have never been good at mathematics and I can't comment on the mathematical genius of Will Hunting,but one thing is sure and that is it is not what this film is about. What is the use of solving all those complex mathematical questions if we don't know the least about ourselves.
To me this is a film which challenges our intelligence our knowledge and makes it a means to a higher,more profound understanding of ourselves and of the world and that is Wisdom.Which one is more complex the mathematical theory written on the chalkboard or Will Hunting messed up and helpless and indifferent towards his gift?
Instead of being called "The Talented"(for we will know what pure talent may sometimes lead to,like in "The Talented Mr.Riply") or "Gifted" Will Hunting it's called "Good" Will Hunting,for what he's even unconsciously driven into is not just science which he quite well is aware of how can be manipulated by the politicians to serve their interests,but a kind of insight,a knowledge which can serve to something good.
It is a film that puts happiness and self knowledge as a necessary component for any achievement in life,a self knowledge necessary not just for Will but for the Professor and the Psychiatrist as well.It is a film which like a surgeon opens the heart of its characters and points out their vulnerabilities,their tremendous need for loving and being loved.
Maybe most of our achievements are masks by which we want to conceal our wounds,and maybe we should cherish our wounds for they have enriched our lives with art and science and...,but we should never hide behind them for we may loose a great deal by that, the human affection.
Will's mathematical ability brings about meetings with people of which the most significant is his encounter with therapist Sean Maguire.An encounter of which benefit both,Will finally finds a father figure to trust and let go of his insecurities,and Sean by reaching out to help Will comes out of his self-cage.
There are things which their value is beyond their price and those are Will's friends,Ben's dissatisfaction with Will's lack of ambition and the car they give him for his birthday,those are his real assets and which lead him to his path to find love and happiness.