Director: Gus Van Sant
Main Actors: Robin Williams; Matt Damon; Ben Affleck
Year: 1997
Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆ (5 stars)
With the terrible news about Robin Williams, it felt right to review the film for which he deservedly received an Oscar. He won the award for Best Supporting Actor, and his touching acceptance speech shows what this meant to a great actor, and incredibly funny man. I adored his films growing up - Mrs Doubtfire is still one of my favourite movies, and one that makes me cry with laughter every time. Its truly sad that someone who bought so much happiness and laughter to so many millions of people was unable to feel the same feelings that he was so brilliant at creating in others.
Matt Damon and Ben Affleck wrote this film, and the script is brilliant. Damon plays a mathematical genius (Will Hunting) from a rough suburb in Boston, who works as a Janitor at a prestigious college, who is discovered by an award winning maths tutor, who employs the help of therapist Sean Maguire (Williams) to try and fulfil his potential. For me, the film had it all, there are some extremely funny, laugh out loud moments. The scene where Williams describes how his wife used to fart in her sleep is hilarious, and was a classic example of him improvising at his best. The line was unscripted so Matt Damon's reaction is genuine, and at one point you can see the cameraman lose control of the camera from laughing so hard. There are also some deeply emotional scenes, as well as some good violence, bar fights, and lot's of bad language! There is a strong bond between Hunting and his four best friends, and I also thought that Matt Damon and Minnie Driver had real on screen chemistry.
Looking back I think what is most emotional about this film is the sad reality that perhaps Sean Maguire's sadness in the film is a portrayal of William's own depression. Regardless of that it is a beautiful film, and for me is up there with my favourites of all time, which is why I've given it a resounding 5 stars.
