Feb 09, 2001 12:33 AM
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Wonder what it takes for a simple yet profound film to reach for the skies and bag nine Academy Awards?
Fortitude, Presence of mind, hard work, homegrown talent and more than anything else patience of the most strong kind. 'Good Will Hunting' is one such product that embodies the very essence of these virtues.
Directed by the visionary Gus Van Sant ' Good Will Hunting' is a coming of age story of a South Boston whiz kid Will (Matt Damon) who would rather clean than run the halls of the mathematics department of MIT (The most prestigious institute in the world).
He catches the attention of a math professor played by Stellan Skarsgaard who wants to tap this boy's genius for solving complex equations. This set the ball of events into motion. Will meets and begins dating Skyler (Minnie Driver) a beautiful Harvard student who wants to save him from the monsters in his mind. In Dr.Sean (Robin Williams) he finds his nemesis and their relationship proves to be Will's undoing; a road to Will unraveling his destiny. Encouraged he is to escape the rut called South Boston by Chuckie, his construction worker buddy (Played by real life best friend Ben Affleck). As a matter of fact it is Chuckie words of wisdom towards the end of the movie, one of the most poignant scenes that motivate him along with Sean's insistence to 'Go see about a girl'.
The performances are par excellence, the very first thing that strikes you about this movie. The film though different from Gus Van Sant's earlier movies like 'Drugstore Cowboy', 'My own private Idaho' and 'To Die For' has his subtle touch of stark reality seen through the eyes of one unique mind. The film stock he has incorporated using the expertise of cinematographer Jean-Yves Escoffier (who happened to helm the camera work in 'Rounders', 'Cradle Will Fall' and 'Excess Baggage') is clear unlike his usual dark hues that he uses in his others films to bring out that stark imagery. There are also some remarkable aerial shots of the city Boston. One type of sequence in particular caught my attention. This was a few shots taken of Will sitting in a subway train on his way back from work pondering over one thought after another. His state of mind is reflected in the fleeting scenery that flashes by outside the glass window of the train.The background score by Danny Elfman ('Mission Impossible' 'Flubber'
More than anything else is the conception and realization of a one of a kind script written by none other than Matt Damon and Ben Affleck themselves. This script was five years of their lives. From struggling actors they went 'from eating fried ramen noodles from a box to eating real spaghetti' (Pg 11 from 'Matt Damon: Chasing a Dream by Mark Bego)
Their friendship dominates the scenes in which they are together, a sort of ease there is about it that thoroughly denotes its extension off screen as well. 'Good Will Hunting' is a personal journey for Damon because not only does he share the accolade for Best script with his best friend Ben but he also fired up the scenes with Minnie Driver. The two of them were involved in a rather enraptured relationship through out the filming. It was unfortunate that it ended because their on screen chemistry was a sight to behold.
Technical excellence, literary kudos, Academy Awards aside 'Good Will Hunting' is a film not to be missed. It is one that definitely leaves an impact never to be forgotten or written off.
For any of you who want to see more of the Damon- Affleck duo do check out 'Chasing Amy', and 'School Ties'.
