Sometimes the heart yearns for a marathon of horror film classics or a cosy BBC period drama when autumn rolls around. Other times a throwback feel-good film just hits the spot, and if that is the case, Good Will Hunting is streaming on UK Netflix now.
The critically acclaimed film, which became a major box office hit, was written by Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. In Good Will Hunting, Robin Williams is a professor at MIT who discovers a young janitor at the university (as played by Damon) is a maths genius. The 1997 flick earned Damon and Affleck an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay whilst Robins won for Best Supporting Actor.
Damon’s character is Will Hunting, a 20-year-old man recently released from prison who works as a janitor at the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology. His free time is occupied by drinking with childhood friends, one of whom is played by Affleck.
His stunning aptitude for maths comes to light when Professor Gerald Lambeau (Williams) writes a difficult maths problem on a blackboard for his graduate students, which Will solves anonymously. The professor leaves out an even more challenging problem for the mystery genius, whom he later discovers writing out the solution.
After getting caught fighting, Will eventually makes a deal to avoid jail time by going into therapy sessions and becoming the professor’s protégé.
Summarising the reviews of film critics, Rotten Tomatoes said: “It follows a predictable narrative arc, but Good Will Hunting adds enough quirks to the journey — and is loaded with enough powerful performances — that it remains an entertaining, emotionally rich drama.”
“Adding moments of erudition and salty wit to a feelgood tale proves to be a winning formula,” wrote The Sunday Times while one American critic dubbed it “the Rocky of the ’90s”.
“Good Will Hunting is a grand coup from first-time writers Ben Affleck and Matt Damon,” said Cinema Sight. “Their exploration of the life of a Genius trying to function as a normal person is quite amiable and full of great acting.”
Damon and Affleck also received praise for their chemistry whilst Williams’ dramatic acting skills wowed audiences.
“It’s writer-stars Matt Damon & Ben Affleck’s childhood friendship-chemistry and the hilarious bickering between the real-life Affleck brothers that generates the magic in Good Will Hunting. Not to mention a magical performance by Robin Williams.”
“This movie is a literal masterpiece, and I’ll shout those words till the end of time,” said one fan on Reddit’s Movies forum.
“Everything about this movie is literally perfect and has the best performance of Robin Williams in any movie of his (in my opinion). Not only that but Matt Damon and the rest of the supporting cast just shine through this amazing movie! I’ve watched this movie countless times and I’ll keep watching it until I can’t no more!”
Good Will Hunting is available to watch on Netflix UK.