1997 - Rated R - 2 hr 6 min
Director: Gus Van Sant
Starring: Robin Williams, Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Minnie Driver, Stellan Skarsgard, Casey Affleck, Cole Hauser
The movie that made Matt and Ben household names. And also help Robin Williams to be taken more seriously as an actor. Who doesn't love this movie, honestly?
Matt is Will Hunting, a kid from Southie with a troubled past, a broken home, and a serious addiction to knowledge. He's solving math problems while mopping the hallways at MIT and catches the attention of one professor who wants to help him out and set him straight. Will he renounce his fist-fighting, f-bomb-dropping ways and go work somewhere as a genius? Or will he keep mopping floors until the day he dies?
There are lots of great things about this movie, including it's realistic account of what like would probably be like for someone like Will Hunting. There isn't always a happy ending, the guy doesn't always get the girl, the main character isn't always changed by the plot... knowing these traditional constraints don't apply, this movie is enjoyable from beginning to end.
The start of great movies being set in Boston (which has since brought us "The Departed" and "The Town" amongst others.) Still a good one to go back and see again.
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