Good Will Hunting (1997): Film Notes and Scores

Director:

Cast:

Poster artwork for Good Will Hunting — Original poster artwork · Great Cinema Master List

Spoiler-free premise

A self-taught mathematical prodigy working as an MIT janitor enters therapy after an arrest threatens his future.

Read expanded premiseLonger, still spoiler-free

Will Hunting, an MIT janitor with an extraordinary gift for mathematics, anonymously solves a difficult problem left on a hallway board. After an arrest, professor Gerald Lambeau arranges leniency on the conditions that Will study with him and attend therapy.

Why it belongs

Gus Van Sant centers Good Will Hunting’s intellectual promise on trust, shame, friendship, and choice, while Damon and Williams make therapy genuinely dramatic.

Read expanded why it belongsThe fuller editorial case

Matt Damon's defensive speed and Robin Williams's patient listening make emotional risk as consequential as mathematical ability. Boston locations, unshowy close-ups, relaxed scenes among Will's friends, and long conversational takes resist genius-story triumphalism.

Major award record

Metadata only · zero points in 40/40/20

Academy Awards2 wins1998 · official ceremony record ↗

Writing (Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen)1998 · Ben Affleck, Matt Damonofficial ceremony record ↗Actor in a Supporting Role1998 · Robin Williamsofficial ceremony record ↗

Golden Globes1 win1998 · official film record ↗

Best Screenplay - Motion Picture1998 · Ben Affleck, Matt Damonofficial film record ↗

Berlin1 win1998 · official festival record ↗

Plus 1 additional win

No headline-category win to name

Totals include every recorded competitive win. Only Picture or top-film honors, Direction, Screenplay, and lead or supporting performances are named.

Good for

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