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Movies / On DVD / Good Will Hunting
Good Will Hunting

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Good Will Hunting (1997)

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Reviews Counted: 58

Fresh: 56

Rotten:2

Average Rating: 8.1/10

Consensus: Van Sant, working from Affleck and Damon's script, lends warmth and real emotion to the film's somewhat basic story.

Runtime: 2 hrs 6 mins

Genre: Dramas

Synopsis: A South Boston whiz kid elects to clean the halls of learning rather than enter them, slumming his way through life as a janitor at MIT. But his natural ability to unravel complex equations attracts the attention of a professor who won't let... A South Boston whiz kid elects to clean the halls of learning rather than enter them, slumming his way through life as a janitor at MIT. But his natural ability to unravel complex equations attracts the attention of a professor who won't let him quit, a beautiful Harvard student who wants to save him, a sympathetic buddy who wants him to escape South Boston, and a counselor who encourages him. A soundly acclaimed, homegrown effort from lifelong Boston buddies Damon and Affleck, who pushed their script through development by disguising it as a suspense thriller. [More]

Starring: Matt Damon, Robin Williams, Ben Affleck, Minnie Driver

Starring: Matt Damon, Robin Williams, Ben Affleck, Minnie Driver, Stellan Skarsgaard, Casey Affleck, Cole Hauser, John Mighton, Rachel Majowski, Colleen McCauley, Alison Folland, George Plimpton

Director: Gus Van Sant

Director: Gus Van Sant
Screenwriter: Ben Affleck, Matt Damon
Composer: Danny Elfman
Producer: Lawrence Bender

[See More Credits]

DVD Info

 
 
 
 
Release:

Jan 5, 1999

[DVD Details]
 
 
  • Good Will Hunting
  • A true motion picture phenomenon, this triumphant story was nominated for 9 Academy Awards(R) -- winning Oscars for Robin Williams (Best Supporting Actor) and hot newcomers Matt Damon and Ben Affleck (Best Original Screenplay). The most brilliant mind at America's top university isn't a student ... he's the kid who cleans the floors! Will Hunting (Damon) is a headstrong, working-class genius who's failing the lessons of life. After one too many run-ins with the law, Will's last chance is a psychology professor (Williams), who might be the only man who can reach him! With acclaimed performances from Academy Award(R)-nominee Minnie Driver (GROSSE POINTE BLANK) and Ben Affleck (ARMAGEDDON) -- you'll find GOOD WILL HUNTING a powerful and unforgettable movie experience!
  • Source: Buena Vista Home Entertainment
  • Reviews for Good Will Hunting

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    1 - 20 (sorted by date; Australian critics are listed first)
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    N/R

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    Full Review Source: In Film Australia | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Luke Buckmaster
    In Film Australia
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    N/R

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    Full Review Source: Urban Cinefile | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Urban Cinefile Critics
    Urban Cinefile
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    Ratings Image

    Towering performance by Matt Damon as a troubled working class who needs to address his creative genius elevates this drama way above its therapeutic approach, resulting in a zeitgeist film that may touch chord with young viewers the way The Graduate did

    Full Review Source: Variety | comment Comment
    02/05/08
    Emanuel Levy
    Variety
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    Despite its coarse exterior, Good Will Hunting proves to be a rather positive and motivational experience.

    Full Review Source: Houston Community Newspapers | comment Comment
    05/09/07
    Gary Brown
    Houston Community Newspapers
    N/R

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    Full Review Source: New York Observer | comment Comment
    04/27/07
    Andrew Sarris
    New York Observer
    Ratings Image

    Can get overly sentimental at times, but Gus Van Sant's sensitive direction... and his excellent use of the city make it a hugely entertaining and effective film.

    Full Review Source: Combustible Celluloid | comment Comment
    05/26/06
    Jeffrey M. Anderson
    Combustible Celluloid
    N/R

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    Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
    02/09/06
    Derek Adams
    Time Out
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    Full Review Source: Film Threat | comment Comment
    12/06/05
    Film Threat
    Ratings Image

    The film succeeds not because of an overall arc, but as a chain of smaller moments that glimmer in their minuscule perfection.

    Full Review Source: Arizona Daily Star | comment Comment
    10/07/05
    Phil Villarreal
    Arizona Daily Star
    Ratings Image

    For the first time in his career, Van Sant is invisible as a filmmaker, simply getting out of the way of the story and his performers. The film is richer for it.

    Full Review Source: Ain't It Cool Movie Reviews | comment Comment
    06/25/05
    Moriarty
    Ain't It Cool Movie Reviews
    N/R

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    Full Review Source: Reeling Reviews | comment Comment
    04/09/05
    Robin Clifford
    Reeling Reviews
    Ratings Image

    ... beneath their arrogance and crass behavior, you'll find a lot of hurt and many defense mechanisms raised against a compassionless, manipulative society.

    Full Review Source: Looking Closer | comment Comment
    01/15/05
    Jeffrey Overstreet
    Looking Closer
    Ratings Image

    Uno sale del cine y se da cuenta de por qué la película recibió tanta atención.

    Full Review Source: Cinenganos | comment Comment
    06/05/04
    Alex Ramirez
    Cinenganos
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    Full Review Source: rec.arts.movies.reviews | comment Comment
    04/21/04
    Dragan Antulov
    rec.arts.movies.reviews
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    Not a work of art or great power, but it has some moving moments.

    Full Review Source: Ozus' World Movie Reviews | comment Comment
    02/27/04
    Dennis Schwartz
    Ozus' World Movie Reviews
    Ratings Image

    Though the movie tells a straightforward story, there are enough offbeat touches along the way to balance out its more predictable aspects.

    Full Review Source: Kalamazoo Gazette | comment Comment
    07/02/03
    James Sanford
    Kalamazoo Gazette
    N/R

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    Full Review Source: Film Blather | comment Comment
    05/22/03
    Eugene Novikov
    Film Blather
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    Full Review Source: Palo Alto Weekly | comment Comment
    05/14/03
    Jeanne Aufmuth
    Palo Alto Weekly
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    Full Review Source: Film Quips Online | comment Comment
    02/08/03
    John R. McEwen
    Film Quips Online
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    Full Review Source: Film Threat | comment Comment
    12/08/02
    Film Threat
    1 - 20 (sorted by date; Australian critics are listed first)
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