Well done, but "Finding Forrester" was even better.

Rating: 8/10 (13 February 2006)

I would have given "Good Will Hunting" 10/10, but "Finding Forrester" outdid it (now "GWH" almost seems self-indulgent). The plot of course has the title character (Matt Damon) finding his way in life with the help of Sean Maguire (Robin Williams). Ben Affleck, Minnie Driver, and Stellan Skarsgard also do quite well in their roles. I'll never forget Williams's comment when he accepted his Oscar ("Thank you Ben and Matt. I still want to see some ID.") Like so many other movies (pretty much every one except the illogical "Gerry"), this certainly shows Gus Van Sant to be a great director. If this movie had any bad sides, it was that it paved the way for Ben Affleck starring in "Armageddon" and "Pearl Harbor" (not to mention the whole "Ben and Jen" thing; thank God that's over with).