Wednesday 26 October 2011

good will hunting (1997) - gus van sant and elliot smith - between the bars











I must have been one of the few people in the western world never to have seen Good Will Hunting since it's release (apart from a few minutes), but l am afraid that is the case. Until today of course, as l have just successfully sat all the way through it, and l must admit, enjoyed it a lot. It's (as if most of you out there didn't already know) the story of a troubled lad, the eponymous Will Hunting (Matt Damon), who is discovered to be a genius. He is also a tearaway with abandonment issues, which he gradually deals with during his therapy sessions with Sean Maguire (Robin Williams). After acknowledging that his abuse as a child was not his fault, Hunting has to decide if he wants a career using his intellect, or a succession of dead end jobs in the same neighbourhood. Of course he also falls in love along the way, with a (to me) annoying Minnie Driver, playing Skylar (even the name is annoying, as was her accent). There is a great soundtrack by Elliot Smith, and the film deserved the Oscar nominations (and wins). I can't believe it has taken me so long to watch it.

toodle pip

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