Some Movies Strike Gold!

Rating: 10/10 (22 February 2001)

Once in awhile a movie comes along that truly is special. What makes a movie special? Is it the "special" effects? Not usually. For me, I want a movie with exceptional acting, a good story, a tight screenplay, and creative directing. But, above all else I want good old fashioned wonderfully written dialogue between believable characters that I can relate to and learn from. This is what I think separates descent movies from the really special ones. This is what enables me to really submerge myself into the story. Everyone has certain movies that they can watch over and over and never get tired of. Good Will Hunting is one of those movies that I find to get better each time I watch it.
This movie is filled with fabulous stimulating dialogue between interesting, yet real-to-life characters. Matt Damon gives one of my favorite performances on film to date. He portrays Will Hunting, a genius whose tough on the outside but scared on the inside personality will keep him from finding true happiness or realizing his full potential until he is able to escape his past and learn how to trust again. Robin Williams also gives an outstanding performance as the shrink who tries to help him do that, and learns a little bit about life himself. If you just took the scenes between these two characters to make this movie it would have still been excellent. But this movie has so much more to offer. There is the relationship with Skylar, played by Minnie Driver who has everything Will has ever looked for in a girl. There are his buddies who he has grown up with his whole life, including his best friend Chuckie, played by Ben Affleck. There is Professor Lambeau, played by Stellan Skarsgard, who is one of the smartest mathematicians in the world, and yet his knowledge and ability does not even compare to young Will Hunting.
All of this adds up to one of the most entertaining and thought provoking movies out there. There are life lessons to be learned and cinematic brilliance to be enjoyed with this one. One of the best ever!