The film Good Will Hunting was written by Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, who later went on to win an Oscar for their work. Affleck and Damon costar with Robin Williams to create a genre defining film of the 90’s. The lead character, Will Hunting, is a self-taught genius working as a janitor at Harvard. After an altercation with the law, Hunting meets Robin William’s character who explores Hunting’s traumatized past and lack of emotional connection in the present.


All around the performances in Good Will Hunting are Oscar worthy in and of themselves. Matt Damon and Ben Affleck play characters unlike any they ever have, and Robin Williams gives an emotional performance I did not know he was capable of. In the 90’s, Affleck and Damon, were lesser known actors compared to the stars they are today. The casting of Robin Williams added something to the film that, at the time, was much needed to bring attention and to possibly carry the film. One of the standout pieces of the film is how well young Matt Damon plays off of the older Robin Williams. Damon gives a performance that was unexpected for the time, that would later shoot him into Hollywood stardom. 

For a film that largely takes place in the set locations, and had to work on tight budget constraints, the script and overall direction allows for the movie to be performance based and not dependent on location or cinematography. For a film with little to no action or visual stimulant, Good Will Hunting relies purely on the performance and script to determine its flow and pacing. The usage of onsite, real Boston locations, and real film gives Good Will Hunting a tone and grit that play into Will Hunting’s character arch. Overall, Good Will Hunting prides itself on its witty dialogue, fantastic acting and well-developed characters, creating a staple film of the 90’s.