Good Will Hunting Term Papers
“Good Will Hunting” is a profound tale of a young man's struggle to find himself
and hence his place in the world. Matt Damon plays a troubled mathematical
genius with a keen perception of the depths of the human soul. The movie takes a
journey through the mind of Will Hunting, as he is required to suffer therapy
instead of jail. With the help of a psychologist, played by Robin Williams, Will
discovers who he is and recognizes his importance in the world by understanding
what matters to him most.
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Will is portrayed as a free seditious individual who is oblivious to social
pressure. His values and morals differ from the traditional society. The
friendship of Chuck, whom he trusts completely, makes Will feel invincible. He
is apathetic to his genius and uses it as the only thing that matters. He is
highly impulsive and always puts up a defensive attitude. Due to his childhood
experiences, he has become an introvert and guards his feelings fiercely. His
emotions are not for the world to see.
He therefore, has the same attitude throughout his therapy sessions and often
succeeds on reversing roles and becoming the analyst. Instead of revealing what
disturbs him, he goes onto asking cheeky questions that disrupt Sean and the
sessions.
Mathematics is Will’s fort. It however upsets Gerard to see his indifference
towards it. He is appalled that Will is not as excited as he is about this
extraordinary gift. Will shows no hesitation while solving problems and is
certain that he is right.
Will’s relationship with Skylar goes sour when he refuses to go away with her.
He wants to hold onto what he knows will be there. He fears that because of
social differences, she might leave him. He thinks she will tire of him and one
fine day decides to end the relationship. He is caught in frenzy and before
being hurt by her, he prefers to end the relationship before she does. He
doesn’t want to come across as weak or scared and he puts up his guard, which he
so used to doing. To avoid being hurt, he becomes ruthless.
During one of the last sessions, Sean questions Will about what he would like to
do in life. Why he would rather be a cleaner in one of the most famous
universities? Will escapes the question. He doesn’t want to face the facts of
life. He prefers to keep a low profile and dodge being hurt rather than anything
else. Have the minimum possible contact with other people and keep his emotions
under constant guard. The last session breaks through Will’s emotional barrier.
Sean succeeds in letting him see that his father’s violence was not Will’s
fault. He is not guilty and doesn’t have to punish himself. He can’t keep
denying himself the right to be happy thinking that everything is his own fault.
Sean succeeds in what he had set out to achieve.
Chuck shows will the way when he understands that Will is anxious about Skylar’s
departure. In his own way, his own words, he tells Will what he must to so that
Chuck can feel the same about him. He explains to Will that he, Chuck, is well
suited for a labourer’s job. Twenty years down the road he would still be there.
If Will were to stay however, that would be tremendously wrong. That would be
denying his capabilities and his right to happiness.
Will makes up his mind. He shuns the social constraints, refuses a job and goes
in search of the one thing that mattered: to be with someone he loved and who
loved him back. He has learnt to let go of the past and his inhibitions about
the society. He is determined and willing to take a chance, at the risk of being
hurt. He informs his therapist about his intentions and his determination to be
happy. When Chuck finds him gone, he realises what had happened. With admiration
and sadness, he understands and supports Will’s way out. Will has now taken path
that will help him live, breathe and be free.
References
Title of Article: Good Will Hunting, http://www.suntimes.com/ebert/ebert_reviews/1997/12/122504.html
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