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From Amazon.co.uk
Robin Williams won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor, and actors Matt Damon and Ben Affleck nabbed one for Best Original Screenplay, but the feel-good hit Good Will Hunting triumphs because of its gifted director, Gus Van Sant. The unconventional director (My Own Private Idaho, Drugstore Cowboy) saves a script marred by vanity and clunky character development by yanking soulful, touching performances out of his entire cast (amazingly, even one by Williams that's relatively schtick-free). Van Sant pulls off the equivalent of what George Cukor accomplished for women's melodrama in the 1930s and 40s: He's crafted an intelligent, unabashedly emotional male weepie about men trying to find inner-wisdom.
Matt Damon stars as Will Hunting, a closet maths genius who ignores his gift in favour of nightly boozing and fighting with South Boston buddies (co-writer Ben Affleck among them). While working as a university janitor, he solves an impossible calculus problem scribbled on a hallway blackboard and reluctantly becomes the prodigy of an arrogant MIT professor (Stellan Skarsgård). Damon only avoids prison by agreeing to see psychiatrists, all of whom he mocks or psychologically destroys until he meets his match in the professor's former childhood friend, played by Williams. Both doctor and patient are haunted by the past and, as mutual respect develops, the healing process begins. The film's beauty lies not with grand climaxes, but with small, quiet moments. Scenes such as Affleck's clumsy pep talk to Damon while they drink beer after work, or any number of therapy session between Williams and Damon offer poignant looks at the awkward ways men show affection and feeling for one another. --Dave McCoy
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Blu-ray|Amazon Verified Purchase
I've been a little sceptical when it comes to HighDefin' movies such as Good Will. On the face of it, I'd be saying that HD can't offer anything to it. It's such a staggeringly brilliant movie that relies solely on it's story. The only outstanding performance is from Robin Williams (deservedly getting his Oscar) really but the rest of the cast don't do a half bad job either. As I said, true star, is the story and it will provoke many thoughts for you once the movie is over. What would you do if you were Will, What would you do if you were Will's friends?...
Back to the HD scepticism. I didn't think it would have any effect on my enjoyment and during my viewing I was saying to myself things like , 'picture looks good, nothing fantastic though'; 'I haven't really noticed anything special about the sound'. Now, given that I hadn't seen the movie in a few years, especially not on the size TV I have now, I thought I'd pop the old DVD in to have a quick compare. To catchphrase Janice from Friends: Oh My God. If you have the DVD, upgrade now. If you don't have the DVD, buy the Blu-Ray. I will go to the extreme of saying that I couldn't even watch the DVD now. Silk purse out of a sows ear is what Lionsgate have done again.
Languages: English on on DTS-HD master, sorry, that's all folks.
Subs: English and English
REGION LOCKED
Back to the HD scepticism. I didn't think it would have any effect on my enjoyment and during my viewing I was saying to myself things like , 'picture looks good, nothing fantastic though'; 'I haven't really noticed anything special about the sound'. Now, given that I hadn't seen the movie in a few years, especially not on the size TV I have now, I thought I'd pop the old DVD in to have a quick compare. To catchphrase Janice from Friends: Oh My God. If you have the DVD, upgrade now. If you don't have the DVD, buy the Blu-Ray. I will go to the extreme of saying that I couldn't even watch the DVD now. Silk purse out of a sows ear is what Lionsgate have done again.
Languages: English on on DTS-HD master, sorry, that's all folks.
Subs: English and English
REGION LOCKED
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
There are plenty of good reviews regarding this film here on amazon so I won't go into the storyline. Just to add that I first saw this film by mistake when it was first released on a rainy day when I had nothing else to do, at the time I was a degree student. I was intrigued by the title, but almost put off when I saw that Robin Williams was in it, Williams at the time was just known for being an outrageous and very loud comedian. How glad I am that it poured with rain that day and I didn't walk to the train station to go home at my usual time. This film showed what a great serious actor Robin Williams could be, it was a breath of fresh air to see him play his role as a wise old professor. Matt Damon played a blinder as the main character in the film with some decent performances from the supporting cast notably Stellan Starsgard. Ben Affleck I find rather annoying at the best of times as does Minnie Driver has the same affect on me, but Affleck I find tolerable in this as at the very least he is playing a young character. The late author George Plimpton also has a small role as a shrink. The whole film has an understated but uplifting feel good factor to it, and the scene where Williams repeats to Will that "it's not your fault" referring to the upbringing Will had is very touching. "Afternoon delight" indeed.
I recommend this film to those of you who may doubt whether you will like it. I took the plunge all those years ago and am very glad I did. Buy it.
I recommend this film to those of you who may doubt whether you will like it. I took the plunge all those years ago and am very glad I did. Buy it.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
A superb film in which the central character is a young man from a broken background who is an uncertified genius. A wonderfully unpredictable script and plot coupled with fine performances by all concerned combine to produce an enchanting, and often touching, story of a youth struggling to find himself and come to terms with his past.
It's one of those rare films that intelligently deals with the complex issues of relationships. None of the characters presented is there for window dressing, and each has depth, and plausibility.
Will (our main man) spends much of his time hanging out with his gang of friends, but with whom he can never share intellectual parity. Discovered by a world-renowned mathematician, who wants him to pursue a career in mathematics (what else?), he finds himself balking at the prospect. His emotional problems lead him to a therapist and the film spends much time exploring this relationship. Whilst in therapy he meets and falls for a college girl, but because of his emotional problems is unable to commit to her.
The whole film is a beautifully balanced mix of humour, pathos, and emotion. Certainly one of, if not the, best films of 1999. Don't miss it!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
As described
As described. Good price. Havent watched as bought as a gift. Arrived promptly. Nothing more to say about this product.
Published 20 days ago by Sharon Wright
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic film
My all time favourite film. It has it all; comedy, heartbreak, drama, crime, violence, "nice" cars and some truly beautiful scenes. Read more
Published 24 days ago by Cameron
5.0 out of 5 stars
A definite must see
I didn't know much about this film except that it generally came with a high recommendation. Bought it on that strength alone and was not disappointed. Has re-watch value too.
Published 1 month ago by Nicola Brown
5.0 out of 5 stars
good will hunting
Great dvd its a classic film and will never age will watch good will hunting again and again good choice
Published 1 month ago by Paul and Julie Reddin
5.0 out of 5 stars
classic
great price and arrived in excellent time always good to be able to buy your classic favourites rather than wait for them on the telly
Published 1 month ago by Aitch
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great performances
Great performances. Convincing.
I film that I have rewatched several times. I highly recommend it.
Great performances. Convincing. Read more
I film that I have rewatched several times. I highly recommend it.
Great performances. Convincing. Read more
Published 1 month ago by MV
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good Will Hunting
Brilliant film with great actors. Robin Williams excellent as is Damon. Another classic film to add to collection. Recommended viewing
Published 2 months ago by Michael Dwyer
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good Will Hunting
Great film, great cast. I think that Robin Williams is a very good actor when he plays a straight role rather when he's cast in a comedy role. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Scotty
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great
Great film, good acting. I really enjoyed it the first time i saw it so decide to buy the DVD.
Published 2 months ago by Victoria
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great
One of the best films i've seen, buy it watch it, its inspirational in my opinion. I highly recommend it
Published 3 months ago by Peter D
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