When I first watched the movie Good Will Hunting, I was pretty young and never fully understood all the great messages that this movie portrayed. As a kid, me and my father would spend our nights watching action thrillers and such but occasionally watch a more “serious” movie, and one one random night at the video store he said, “You haven’t seen this?” holding up Good Will Hunting, “It’s a classic.” The first time watching this movie I was in early 7th grade and still didn’t really understand half the things they were talking about, from Robin Williams talking about love to war, all of it were things I couldn’t really wrap my head around. Rewatching this movie now is really eye-opening and makes me glad I can watch it and appreciate it as a adult now.
When I originally viewed this film, only one message really stuck with me. You can have a “rough” home life but still be able to escape all of it through schooling and such where whats going on elsewhere doesn’t have to determine what your passionate about. Rewatching this movie now as a adult, I can see this message somewhat altered, while also observing multiple other great messages. The overarching message I picked up from seeing this movie again was that no matter what ties you have or what people hold you “responsible” for, pursue what you want in life and like Robin William’s said in the film, “You’re bound by nothing.” Throughout the rest of this movie, I was able to see the main character in different ways then I had when I was younger, making the connection to him a lot greater, and even almost got me teary eyed in the famous “It’s not your fault” scene.
I would say this movie is conventional in some ways but more unconventional in others. Although it focuses on a troubled protagonist going through a rough love story with a sort of open ended happy ending, it also focuses on the fact that you don’t need these crazy college educations and a fancy desk job to be happy in your life. Multiple times throughout the movie, Matt Damon criticizes the expensive way we waste money on books and such for a “useless” education that we just “regurgitate.” And by the end of the movie, Matt Damon expresses how he doesn’t want a “nice” desk job or something like that and instead leaves town to pursue his soul mate, something I’d view as more unconventional in todays society. Upon reading reviews of this movie, I’d agree with most critics in saying that overall the movie had great acting and a intriguing story with great inspiring messages. This is a movie that I would recommend everyone to see, but maybe not until you would be old enough to understand the purpose and meaning behind what the characters go though and what the true theme of the movie would be. This movie did turn out to be a “classic” film for me and taught me you don’t need smarts or brawn to be something great, you just need to follow your passions in life.
Hello Owen,
I also watched Good Will Hunting when I was young, and had to ask the people around me to translate what seemed – at the time – to be nonsensical parts of conversations or actions. I enjoyed your analysis of the plot, as I hadn’t connected this film to the message of living your own life, no matter what other people want you to do. The frequent references employed in this post to describe how the movie affected you, imparted the film with a lifelike quality that I would very much like to engage in my own future work.
Hello Owen,
Great insights and points in your post. I absolutely agree, the deep thoughts and life meanings portrayed in the movie (especially by Robin Williams’ character) would be lost on most people under the age of 21 lol! I had the benefit of watching this classic movie for the first time when I was 30+, married with kids after a tour in the Marine Corps, so it really resonated with me. I love how you pointed out the age factor in your review, that’s a really important aspect we should all keep in mind! Thanks!
Dan
Hi Owen,
Me and my father would also tend to only watch action films with one another, particularly the James Bond series, with the very rare occasion of a serious film thrown in. I have never actually seen “Good Will Hunting”, as I assumed it was another typical overly-schmaltzy Robin Williams film like “Patch Adams” or “Jack”, but your description of the film makes it sound far more interesting and engaging. Your writing style is much more emotionally-charged than mine, as one of my weaknesses tends to be that I am too cold and analytical. But I do hope that I can eventually apply some of your technique within my own style.
I view this movie as an unfailing classic as well, and I agree that watching it when you’re old enough to really grasp its meaning is important. While reading your cinematic memoir, I learned that the film is easier to comprehend at an older age, bringing out more of the subtle undertones of the story. I thoroughly enjoyed that you began your piece with a personal narrative, and tied that same story into the end of the memoir. Doing so helps readers to cement what they read in their memory, and remind them of the beginning at the same time.
Hello Owen,
I really like your writing style and perspectives on the movie. You see things a lot differently than I do. You helped me to understand that I may see things differently as I get older.
I am only 18 now and watched the movie because of your recommendation. To me it was more about how everyone struggles to know themselves, not matter how old you get. Just the problems seem to change. Almost like we will always be needing to understand who we are at this moment, how we feel about what is happening and what we want to do about it will always be a challenge.
The movie also brought out how rich and wonderful life can be.
Thank you for introducing me to the movie.
Hi Owen,
It’s funny because I also watched this film when I was young with my father! What I mostly remember was that the main character had really good friends but that’s about it. I didn’t realize there were so many themes about life within this movie. I like how you talked about your changing views seeing it as a child and then again as an adult. It’s a great perspective.
Hello Owen,
Like you I enjoy a film with a strong message that is carried throughout. I enjoy having a movie that can teach me something about myself and the world that I live in, it really makes you feel human. You take things in at a deeper level than just “it happened” and see it as something that can be learned from. That’s important to do especially in writing since it brings out what you feel and shows you and brings the writing closer to the reader.
Hi Owen,
Great Post about the movie, well done!
I just recently watched this movie, and like you mentioned, did not turn out to be the “classic” I expected, however still a great movie.
The aspect I found the most interesting was how in the end, Will (Matt Damon) is the one that follows the girl of his dreams , not the other way around. A refreshing twist for 1997.