More than just 'good'

Rating: 8/10 (7 March 2009)

"Good Will Hunting", written by co-stars Matt Damon & Ben Affleck, tells the story of a troubled young genius (Matt Damon) who avoids jail time by agreeing to work with an MIT professor (Stellan Skarsgård) who sees unbounded potential in him. However, he must also meet regularly with a psychiatrist (Robin Williams) which is a situation that he greets with much resistance.
The cast is well-assembled with Matt Damon delivering a fine performance which snagged him his only Oscar nomination to date. Minnie Driver, as Will's love interest, also landed an Oscar nomination. Robin Williams won his first Oscar for his role here after three previous nominations. The rest of the cast is solid, particularly the under-appreciated Stellan Skarsgård.
Gus Van Sant's direction is well-handled, which is illustrated by the Oscar nomination that he received. Danny Elfman's Oscar-nominated score is also good, though it doesn't rely on his usual idiosyncrasies. Also worth mentioning is the soundtrack which includes some notable selections, including a handful of Elliott Smith songs, like the Oscar nominee "Miss Misery".
Overall, "Good Will Hunting", despite the incredibly precious title, is a worthwhile film. Fine performances and a compelling (Oscar-winning) script combine to produce a memorable film that should be fondly remembered for years to come.