Good will hunting psychology
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According to an early scene, Will has a horrendous, hidden temper. The erratic portrayal of Will, by Damon, is a bigger problem. The idea that Will, when he’s not getting into playground scraps, can solve almost unthinkable problems at age 20 simply by reading books is ludicrous.Įven so, that absurdity can be overlooked. But even the very best mathematicians require years of training under other elite mathematicians. Musical prodigies have been common throughout history, sometimes emerging around age 3 or 4. Will references Mozart and Beethoven, but these are poor analogies. The idea that one of the world’s top six mathematicians would be doing janitorial work at MIT is inconceivable. The premise of the film is flat-out impossible. This is why “Hunting” is not a great movie, though highly watchable.
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“Good Will Hunting” has a different problem in that Robin Williams, as the therapist, is too good, appearing with actors not (yet) at his level, and his supplemental performance tends to be more appealing than the story of the protagonist.
Good will hunting psychology professional#
“Prince of Tides” also tried this structure, and the results were dubious, the Barbra Streisand character, Lowenstein, ultimately violating every personal and professional vow on her way to becoming liberated. This dual approach has been done exceptionally well (for example, the first two “Godfather” movies comparing Michael Corleone with Vito Corleone), but is tricky. By the end, it’s not fully clear which one needed the other more, or which one has gained the most.
Good will hunting psychology movie#
Sometimes, though, it tends to be a movie about his therapist, Sean Maguire. Presumably, the protagonist is Will Hunting, a 20-year-old disenfranchised genius.
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So it’s doubtful this script reflects personal demons, but perhaps is based on people Damon knows. Is Damon himself a closet genius? He went to the public school Cambridge Rindge & Latin, got into Harvard, studied English for a year or so, then dropped out once Hollywood noticed him. (We’ll get to how it won an Oscar a bit later.) Skeptics questioned whether the two could’ve written such an engaging movie so early in their careers, but in fact the script is flawed and probably has the feel of an amateur. The script was famously penned by Damon and Affleck, who readily admit they received guidance during the process. The filmmakers were either so self-conscious of this angle - or just wanted to keep everyone hanging for as long as possible - that they didn’t even give Will the opportunity to say “thanks,” merely having Sean cut him off with “You’re welcome.” But the cheeriness and brightness of most of the scenes suggest early on, they’re going to get to Will Hunting, one way or another. Strictly on the facts, one has to wonder if Will truly wants the intervention he is receiving. That is a powerful theme, used to devastating effect in films such as “Leaving Las Vegas” and “Taxi Driver.” Matt Damon and Ben Affleck are happier than that. It does not realize how much it flirts with the “person who doesn’t want to be helped” scenario. And it’s for those who believe they are academic underachievers. It is about society’s inclination to push people who maybe aren’t ready to be pushed. “Good Will Hunting” feels like instant therapy. What happens to Will Hunting is no exception.
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Psychology stories tend to rely on more unconventional therapy and analysis, the outcome is usually the opposite of what would happen in real life, and we are OK with that, because this is a movie, and it entertains. People with physical problems in movies tend to die (“Pride of the Yankees,” “Brian’s Song”) while those with psychological deficiencies are eminently improvable (“The Snake Pit,” “Rain Man,” etc.). Psychology seems to allow for the most positive rehabilitative stories. “Ordinary People” won some Oscars “The Prince of Tides” and “Regarding Henry” were popular and are good movies. Therapist movies tend to be well-received.