Good Will Hunting

Kudos to Affleck & Damon for writing an amazingly quotable screenplay, and then having the courage to demand to star in it. I've heard rumors that studios wanted Ron Howard to direct Brad & Leo (with a tacked on death scene). We avoided that, and got Van Sant expertly directing all 4 lead actors, painterly photography, and a wonderful Elliott Smith soundtrack. A fantastic coming-of-age story that shows young people how to use those around them to take responsibility for their lives. Classic.

Really really good movie that gets a lot of hate because *gasp* Matt Damon and Ben Affleck wrote it. Who cares? It's awesome and you know it. Van Sant is totally absent from his typically directing style and if you usually hate his "slow, boring" stuff then try this out.

The perfect Hollywood Drama. Young white kid with amazing potential learns about himself and teaches his teachers something about themselves at the same time. It's saved by some great dialogue, and a perfect performance by Robin Williams. Worth a look but it's the poster boy for Hollywood Oscar Bait.

Emotional, and expressing, Good Will Hunting is a bit predictable, but the film is great for it's leads and writing.

The BBC showed this not long after Robin Williams died, which definitely lent it some extra poignancy; Williams' performance hereis first class. In fact, this is pretty well put together all round - the script, acting, music and direction are all of a high standard. It maybe strays into some cheesiness, but it has a strong, warm heart which is hard to dislike.