Good Will Hunting

Name: Good Will Hunting
Genre: Drama
Released: December 5, 1997
Duration: 126 min
Rating: 70
Cast: Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Robin Williams

1997

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 28 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 626 Ratings

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8.6

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8.6	User Score Universal acclaim based on 626 Ratings

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Good Will Hunting

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Movie Details & Credits

Miramax Films | Release Date: December 5, 1997 | R

Starring: Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Robin Williams

Summary: Will Hunting (Matt Damon) is a brilliant mathematician, but also an angry young man. To avoid jail time, he agrees to work with Sean (Robin Williams) a therapist who comes from the same tough Boston neighborhood.

Director: Gus Van Sant

Genre(s): Drama

Rating: R

Runtime: 126 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Peter Stack

Intimate, heartfelt and wickedly funny, it's a movie whose impact lingers. Read full review

Mr. Showbiz Kevin Maynard

Intelligently written, sharply directed, and beautifully played.

Mike Clark

Damon convincingly matches Williams recrimination for recrimination in this portrayal of mutual tough love, even with the latter giving what may be the best performance of his career. Read full review

Mark Caro

Presents a few too many hugs and arguments over what's best for Will. But ultimately, the movie, like its protagonist, boasts an integrity and intelligence that are tough not to admire. [25 December 1997, Tempo, p.1]

Film.com Matthew Kohut

Thanks to solid performances by Damon, Williams, and Driver, the story glides by on charm.

Kenneth Turan

While the charismatic performances of Damon and Affleck make Good Will Hunting a difficult entertainment to resist, doing just that is not as hard as the film would like to think. Read full review

TV Guide Magazine Maitland McDonagh

The acting is top-notch and some scenes are authentically well-observed. Read full review

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User Reviews

Vic

Mar 24, 2006

Solid performances all around, especially by Damon and Robin Williams. It's a touching and inspirational film that explores several issues in life.

1 of 1 users found this helpful

UltraTektite

Oct 31, 2019

This movie is nothing but a masterpiece. The characters all have so much depth, and the actors all pull them off beautifully. The writing was genius, especially for Damon and Affleck having been so young at the time. The only downside now is Harvey Weinstein's involvement, but there's noThis movie is nothing but a masterpiece. The characters all have so much depth, and the actors all pull them off beautifully. The writing was genius, especially for Damon and Affleck having been so young at the time. The only downside now is Harvey Weinstein's involvement, but there's no changing that now.… Expand

3 of 4 users found this helpful31

efh1108

Aug 22, 2010

This is a great movie. I got out of it that it is a sham that without pushing that a life would be wasted and I can"t stand wasted lives. he wasn"t even on drugs. It also stresses the importance of getting your emotional stuff in order. Untill that was in order, he had no faith inThis is a great movie. I got out of it that it is a sham that without pushing that a life would be wasted and I can"t stand wasted lives. he wasn"t even on drugs. It also stresses the importance of getting your emotional stuff in order. Untill that was in order, he had no faith in himself. I guess your environment really really determines that. Great movie. you can learn so much from it. That is why I am not into action movies because I can"t learn much from them that I can"t use in life if you know what I mean.… Expand

30 of 33 users found this helpful303

bfoore90

Feb 19, 2020

Fantastic film. Great, very reflective story and amazing direction by Gus Van Sant. Robin Williams, Matt Damon, Ben Affleck andStellen Skarsgard's performances are exceptional. All of the characters are relate-able, the story makes you think about your own life in reflection.

4 of 5 users found this helpful41

ReviewCritic

Mar 18, 2012

Good Will Hunting is one of the greatest American Movies of all time. It is both Robin Williams and Matt Damon's best performances, and Robin Williams won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. Good Will Hunting is both wise and deep. It really makes you stop and look at yourself and life.

9 of 12 users found this helpful93

Meth-dude

Sep 10, 2017

A definitive classic without a doubt. With a a powerful screenplay, outstanding acting performances and a touching story, Good Will Hunting is a powerful movie that anyone should enjoy.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

TylerC.

Aug 5, 2006

I waited a whole decade to finally see this movie. It was horrible. Why is it called "Good Will Hunting?" There is a scene where Will holds a man down and beats him until there is blood coming from not just the victims nose, but his mouth as well. If I were to do that to someone, would I be I waited a whole decade to finally see this movie. It was horrible. Why is it called "Good Will Hunting?" There is a scene where Will holds a man down and beats him until there is blood coming from not just the victims nose, but his mouth as well. If I were to do that to someone, would I be considered "good"? I sure hope not.… Expand

0 of 6 users found this helpful

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40	#40 Best Movie of 1997
4	#4 Most Discussed Movie of 1997
5	#5 Most Shared Movie of 1997