When one talks about excellent drama films that have made even the most stoic individuals shed a tear, Good Will Hunting definitely tops this list. A story that should've been formulaic by all means ended up being nothing short of an emotional rollercoaster, driven by incredibly powerful performances from Matt Damon and the late great Robin Williams. The sheer emotional weight of this movie turned it into an instant classic, with movie buffs rewatching this masterpiece to this very day.
However, even the most ardent fans of this movie probably haven't noticed every small detail present in the film. From subtle undertones to nuanced references, there are several aspects of the movie that warrant a further glance. Here are 10 important things in Good Will Hunting that you've missed out on.
The Screenplay Was Written By The Actors Themselves
One of the most striking facts about this movie is the original script was written by none other than Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. In fact, the first draft of what would eventually become Good Will Hunting was written by Matt Damon as an assignment for a playwriting class he took at Harvard.
This personal attachment to the script allowed Matt Damon to also add a few personal touches of his own, with perhaps the biggest of the lot explored in the next entry.
Matt Damon's Girlfriend Made It Into The Script
While writing the final version of the script, Matt Damon decided to add his own girlfriend, also named Skylar, into the script. She was also a medical student, and thus served as a huge inspiration for the movie version of Skylar.
Of course, love stories in real life aren't as perfect, and Skylar left Damon shortly before the filming of Good Will Hunting.
Gus Van Sant Was Chosen To Direct The Film Because The Screenwriters Took A Liking To His Previous Work
The story of hiring a director for Good Will Hunting is a rollercoaster in itself. Originally, Kevin Smith was hired to direct the movie but he decided that the movie deserved a better director after reading the script and opted to produce the movie instead. Bigshot directors like Michael Mann, Steven Soderbergh, and Mel Gibson were considered for the role as well.
Finally, Gus Van Sant came onto the project. Both Affleck and Damon were impressed by the filmmaker's previous work, making them believe that Van Sant would be the perfect fit for a drama.
Miramax Wanted To Make The Film PG-13 By Removing 145 F-Bombs
During an appearance on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, Matt Damon revealed that Miramax actually wanted to make the movie a PG-13 affair. Aside from the excessive cussing, there wasn't really anything scandalous throughout the movie.
One interesting bit of the conversation came when, upon realizing that only three F-bombs could be said in that movie, Damon asked how much they were over with. The executive responded by stating that they'd crossed the limit by 145 F-bombs.
Suffice to say, no cuts were made and Good Will Hunting received an R-rating upon release.
The Brilliant Direction In The Bench Scene
Good Will Hunting has some of Robin Williams' most iconic performances. The first one that we'll discuss right now is the bench scene when Sean finally breaks through to Will with an inspiring monologue that talks about how it's impossible to assume what another person has gone through.
The camerawork during this scene is excellent, alternating between Sean and Will in two separate and solitary shots before the former dominates the camera time with a speech that Will actually listens to, as shown by the fact that the camera slowly pans to incorporate both characters in the frame.
Some Of Robin Williams' Most Memorable Lines In The Movie Were Ad-Libs
Robin Williams was one of the purest souls in Hollywood, and his absence is sorely missed by anyone fortunate enough to see his amazing work. His talent as an actor was second to none and the fact that some of the most memorable lines in Good Will Hunting were nothing more than ad-libs is nigh impossible to digest.
One such memorable ad-lib is when Sean talks about his wife farting, causing Matt Damon and the staff members to crack up off-screen. Aside from this, the final line uttered in the movie is also something Williams thought up on the fly!
If that isn't talent, we don't know what is.
The Underlying Effects Of Will's Abuse
The abuse that Will underwent as a child from his foster father is not something that is revealed until a fair ways into the movie. However, the effects of this abuse can be observed from the very first scene.
Will is constantly trying to stay one step ahead and pushing away people who might get too close to him and witness his inner demons. The only people he regularly hangs out with are his friends, who will take a bullet for him if need be.
This requirement to stay one step ahead of everyone shows its strain during the most emotional part of the movie...
The Reason For Will's Breakdown Near The End Of The Series
The scene where Sean dismissed the obligatory psych report and talks to Will like an equal near the end of the movie is one of the most moving scenes in cinema. The repetition of the dialogue "It's not your fault" is indicative of the fact that Will was never to blame for the hand he was dealt, so he shouldn't be blamed for what he turned into as a result.
This caused Will to have a breakdown, hugging Sean and apologizing for his behavior. His apology is not just reserved to Sean — rather, it's an apology to everyone that Will has hurt in a bid to stay ahead of the pack.
The Film Has Been Used As A Case Study For Residual Catholic-Protestant Tensions In Boston
Good Will Hunting might've touched upon a ton of themes, but the last thing anyone would associate it with is the tensions between Catholics and Protestants in Boston. However, academicians have actually made some convincing arguments in this regard.
With the Southies taking the role of Irish Catholics and the students of Harvard and MIT displaying behavior akin to that of Protestants, the conflict between both is related to the overarching dissent between two religious groups that has been a constant source of tension in Boston.
The Original Screenplay Was Actually A Conspiracy Thriller
The last thing anyone could ever associate Good Will Hunting with is a conspiracy thriller... but, surprisingly enough, that's exactly what the original version of the script was!
Matt Damon was still supposed to be a mathematical wizard, but — in a Bourne-esque turn of events — he enrolls in the CIA and gets caught in a conspiracy. However, the Weinsteins asked for the movie to focus more on the relationship between Will and his therapist, fortunately leading to the brilliant drama that we all know and love.
This idea is still referenced in the scene when Will goes to town on the NSA about what would happen if a code only he could break leads to worldwide chaos and pandemonium.