Good Will Hunting is an American drama film from 1997, directed by Gus
Van Sant. It is about a genius but problematic boy, Will Hunting (Matt Damon),
who does not study but has a great mind, and a professor, Gerald Lambeau
(Stellan Skarsgard) starts to support him. Pressure and emotional outbursts are
present all through the film; introduced from different point of views, proposing
different interpretations in connection with different characters. It would be
difficult to decide which one is the correct behaviour and these samples are
worth comparing with ordinary, real life situations.
The three main characters’ reactions to difficult situations are very
uniquely represented; each of them introduces one of the main ways of handling
pressure. Will’s emotional journey is in focus; that is the most aggressive and
also the most controversial type. He came from the southern part of Boston, which
is the poorer, working-class part of the city and he spends most of his time
with his friends. They usually mock each other and others as well, they get
into troubles; Will have been already brought to trial several times because of
public fights, auto theft or assault. He seems to be uncontrollable and very
stubborn. Swear words are used by them in nearly every sentence, especially
when they are nervous. Will’s aggression also appears in the slow-motion public
fight scene where he brawls with his old enemy, or in the intellectual dispute
with the Harvard student, where he saves his friend from shame. There are some scenes
in which his acute mischievousness is shown; for example when he meets the
psychiatrists. All of them fails to handle Will’s behaviour, except for Sean
Maguire (Robin Williams), a college roommate of Professor Lambeau. Will terrorises
them mentally, he embarrasses them and that is how he shows his defiance.
Finally, Sean characterises him as a kid; he knows everything from books but
hasn’t experienced these things so he cannot show his own personality. “I ask
you a very simple question and you can’t give a straight answer” – says Sean,
revealing that the boy is quite doubtful towards himself. The apex of his
overflowing aggression is when he confronts with Skylar, his lover. He also has
arguments with the professor and the psychiatrist; but Sean tries to show him
how to control his emotions and stress in his life.
Professor Lambeau has a completely different personality: he is calm,
confident and he never shouts or swears. When he is angry at someone, he uses
sharp cynicism or contempt. He rather fights with words than with tone or acts.
He really wants to help Will; he wants him to find a high-quality job and to
use his great talent. Sean Maguire’s personality is in between the two previously
mentioned characters. He represents the golden mean: he is calm, patient and
honest, but he is not afraid to let his voice out or show anger when he feels
so. He seems to be funny and immovable but when Will finds his weak point, his
wife, he freaks out: “If you ever disrespect my wife again, I will end you” –
and jumps to his throat violently. After talking to Will for several weeks, he
seems to be very successful in expanding the boy’s comprehension and reducing
his aggression. When Lambeau asks him to lead the boy towards high-toned job
opportunities, he refuses to do that. “Direction is one thing, manipulation is
another.” – he says, highlighting the manipulative attitude of the Professor.
After getting to know Will, he realises his own mistakes as well, he has to
face that his life was stuck when his wife died, and opens up for moving on.
The three presented ways of dealing with pressure and the difficulties
of life are the considered but sharp behaviour of Lambeau, the fierce,
aggressive but dishonest behaviour of Will and Sean’s patient and calm
personality. Every people are familiar with situations that they cannot solve,
they cannot change and which put a great pressure on them. Gus Van Sant’s film
shows three possibilities to solve or to let go these negative feelings. The three
mentioned characters assimilate, change and form each other; although they lived
their life according to their own experiences before. People handle stress
differently, and each way of processing pressure and negative experiences have
some mistakes and advantages; but for sure, even such great and genius minds as
will must be able to control themselves.
Bibliography:
Curtis, Quentin. Robin Williams brings off sharpness and tenderness. 1998, The
Telegraph. Web. 03.05.2015
Pierce, Nev. Good Will Hunting. 1998, BBC. Web. 03.05.2015
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