How Do You Like Dem Apples?

Good Will Hunting doesn’t fit the ‘feel good’ movie mold as snuggly as The Shawshank Redemption and Field Of Dreams, but it’s still a wonderfully grounded drama that makes you feel ten times better on the way out then you did on the way in. Featuring an amazing Oscar winning script by stars Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, it follows young Boston lad Will who has a basic cleaning job in Harvard University, hangs around in bars a lot with his mates (Casey and Ben Affleck and Cole Hauser) and is constantly in trouble for getting into fights. He’s also a mathematical genius with a stellar IQ and a photographic memory. Then three people enter his life who provide him with the support to change; Stellan Skarsgard’s needy mathematician, Minnie Driver’s love interest and Robin Williams’ psychologist.

This is an air tight, beautifully structure drama that hit’s the ground running and doesn’t stop until its powerful but understated final shot. The performances are all fantastic. As Will, Matt Damon has never been better as the hot headed, opinionated kid who hides a vulnerability that he doesn’t want to deal with. Ben Affleck is suburb too as his down to earth, frankly honest and loyal best friend, Minnie Driver proves that Grosse Point Blank wasn’t a fluke with a bubbly, infectious and outright adorable performance and Robin Williams is deserving of his supporting Oscar win as the quiet, unorthodox Doctor who barely contains his inner turmoil.

It’s an inspirational and cathartic story about overcoming guilt and fear to embrace life and all handled with a light, naturalistic touch by Gus Van Sant. Like the also uplifting Shawshank, Good Will Hunting also has a clever framing device as Will’s arc is highlighted in a repeat scene where Affleck goes to pick him up for work. And the dialogue is sharp too with the ‘How do you like them apples?’ scene becoming part of mainstream culture although there are plenty more such as Robin Williams’ experience verses knowledge speech practically winning him the Acadamy Award.

Wonderful stuff. Now that Affleck is direct, I wonder if we can see an acting, writing, directing team up of the Boston twosome anytime in our future.