What struck me about Good Will Hunting (1997) while watching it was how special it is despite being fairly traditional. If we look at the film on paper, it seems to follow all of the standard movie conventions. First, we meet our troubled protagonist and find out what makes him special, then there is an inciting incident that throws him into a new situation, then he meets a mentor figure that is going to help him throughout his journey, and at the end, everyone moves on in a satisfying conclusion. Plus, there is even a romantic subplot. This arc is very familiar and present in many movies, so what makes Good Will Hunting so special? In my opinion, Good Will Hunting is such a special and powerful movie because of the characterization provided by the actors and the screenplay.

       Good Will Hunting is a character movie, which means that the plot points serve to complement the characterization. The plot to Good Will Hunting is relatively simple and is largely focused on the setup: a Boston janitor with untapped potential anonymously solves an extremely difficult math problem at Harvard no student can solve. The professor expresses interest in Will and makes a deal with a judge that Will can forgo jail time for a fist fight if he studies with the professor and also seeks therapy. Around the same time, Will meets Harvard student Skylar at a bar and they begin a relationship. Within the first half hour of the movie, the screenplay has set up three vehicles to reveal Will’s character: his sessions with therapist Sean, his studies with Professor Lambeau, and his relationship with Skylar.

       Will’s sessions with Sean, played by Robin Williams, make up the bulk of the movie. Will is too smart for his own good and therefore the initial sessions show Will using his quick wit to try to get under Sean’s skin in order to avoid dealing with his problems. Both the writing and Matt Damon’s acting hint that there is something underneath the surface, revealing Will as someone who builds up walls to keep people out. Once he starts to open up and lets Sean in, Will’s flaws are discussed, which are evident in the other situations Will is in.

       Will’s tendency to restrict his potential due to fear is shown to us through his studies with Lambeau and his relationship with Skylar. When Lambeau presents Will with more and more opportunities to get out of Boston to make something of himself, Will is resistant and lashes out at Lambeau, trying to diminish his accomplishments and intellect. When things start to get serious with Skylar and she asks him to move to California with him, Will lashes out at her, trying to make her feel guilty for privilege and pretending that he never loved her. Will’s self- destructive behavior is discussed in therapy and then shown to the audience in other situations. This film structure, which makes up most of the movie, serves to establish Will’s character in order to build up to a cathartic emotional climax that is satisfying for the audience. Without these character moments, the famous “it’s not your fault” scene would not carry the emotional weight it does.

       Its predictable nature and sometimes amateur-sounding dialogue prevents Good Will Hunting from being an all-time great movie. However, what it does better than most movies is uses characterization not plot, to provide an emotionally satisfying conclusion.

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