Good Will Hunting is part of a rare breed. As someone who reviews films regularly, I often rail against formula. However, Good Will Hunting thrives on it. We have a pretty good idea how the entire story will play out, but the films rich characters and deeply personal interactions with each other keep audiences interested.
Written by co-stars Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, Good Will Hunting stars Damon as Will Hunting, a night janitor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He’s a tough Boston “Southie” who loves hanging out with his foul-mouthed Irish-American buddies, a group of guys with no real direction in life. One day, he stumbles upon a seemingly unsolvable proof on a hallway chalkboard, posted as a challenge to the school’s young geniuses by Professor Gerald Lambeau (Stellan Skarsgård); Will solves it quickly without leaving any evidence he did the work. By the time Lambeau figures out who the mystery mathematician is, Will is facing jail time for a vicious street brawl.
Will’s only way to avoid jail is to accept a job assisting the professor, while at the same time seeking therapy for his issues. After playing mind games with every therapist Professor Lambeau brings him to, desperate, Lambeau turns to his old college roommate Dr. Sean Maguire (Robin Williams). An instructor at Bunker Hill Community College, and fellow “Southie,” Sean refuses to let Will manipulate him. In time, the two men the two form a rapport and Will begins to explore issues and emotions he had hidden behind impregnable armor. As Will advances in sessions with Sean, he also learns about true friendship from his buddy, Chuckie (Ben Affleck), and love from a wealthy Harvard co-ed named Skylar (Minnie Driver).
While the Oscar winning script is emotionally manipulative at times, it’s the scenes between Sean and Will that make Good Will Hunting the minor classic it is. Williams and Damon play remarkably well of each other. And Williams (who won a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for the role), proved he could dial down his often manic energy and handle more dramatic material. Damon, in his breakout role, shows flashes of the movie star he would become. The two characters relate to each other in a realistic and poignant manner.
Director Gus Van Sant (Drugstore Cowboy, To Die For) deserves some credit for making the actors comfortable enough to exhibit genuine emotion. It’s worth noting that the offscreen chemistry between Matt Damon and Minnie Driver (who became romantically linked while making this film) translates effectively to the movie — the Will/Skylar relationship is emotional. Likewise, the companionability of Damon and Affleck is apparent in the easygoing nature of Will and Chuckie’s friendship. Good Will Hunting is an easy film to highly recommend.
Presented in the 1.85:1 aspect ratio, this 1080p transfer is a solid one. While there are brief moments of imperfection, overall the image looks very clear. Colors are evenly saturated and the picture is sharp. This release is much better than the earlier Canadian release.
The soundtrack is presented in DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio in English. This is a front heavy mix which shouldn’t come as a surprise since Good Will Hunting is a drama. Dialogue, music and effects are all cleanly recorded and easily heard. Also included on this release are English and Spanish subtitles.
Along with a Digital Copy, we get the following special features:
- Audio Commentary: Director Gus Van Sant is joined by Ben Affleck and Matt Damon to discuss the movie. Listen to them reminisce about the movie that for all intents and purposes, made them both the stars that they are today. They get along fantastically and sound like they’re having lots of fun. This is certainly a track that fans of the movie should listen to.
- Deleted Scenes (SD, 20 min.) These 11 deleted scenes are available with optional commentary from Van Sant, Damon, and Affleck. One scene is a talk that Skylar and Chuckie have about Will. It’s the best of the bunch. Even though many of the scenes are throwaway scenes, it is interesting to hear the guys talk about them.
- Production Featurette (SD, 7 min.) Interviews from those involved spliced in with film footage.
- Behind the Scenes (SD, 4 min.) A montage of behind-the-scenes footage set to Danny Elfman music.
- Music Video (SD, 3 min.) A music video for “Miss Misery” by Elliot Smith.
- Academy Awards Best Picture Montage (SD, 1 min.) Just what the title says, nothing more.
- Trailer (HD, 2 min.) — The theatrical trailer is included.
