Week 1 Day 1: Character Traits – GOOD WILL HUNTING

[Andrea Verde]

(I think this is where I post?) Will hangs back to not expose his feelings until he needs to defend his friend who was trying to get a girl to like him. So this scene is about pulling out Will’s character and showing he’s a good guy to his friend even though he’s originally portrayed as a broken and ruined person. He’s a risk taker, confrontative, defender and highly intelligent.

[Susan]

Character Traits for Will, Chuckie & Skylar

Will: Fighter, Genius, Photographic Memory, Protector/Defender, Buddy, Confident, Analyst, Philosopher, Sarcastic, Low-income, Comedian
Chuckie: Flirt, Risk Taker, Insecure, Lonely, Poser/Ham, Buddy, Sad
Skylar: Adventurer/Explorer, Goes by… Never argue with an idiot, they will drag you down to their level and beat you with experience (Mark Twain), Tough (likely bossy), Fun
Morgan: Diplomat, Buddy,

This scene itself is truly noteworthy for the expression of friendship and appreciation between the three buddies Will, Chuckie and Morgan.

I learned that I probably am not writing in enough of the reactions that the non-speaking characters are having. Not only do we see this in this scene with the friends, but we also see it with the young women and the crowd in general, as well as with the egotistic know it all. Not only the character traits, but how the interacting characters feel about each and what their actual relationship is to each other is enormously important in their reactions to each other and the rest of the audience inside and outside the 4th wall.
How does this character FEEL about that other character in a deep way (not just what they think in their heads and not only their goals)?!

What makes this character great from a writing perspective?

All the characters are really relatable. We know people who are like them, or who have the FEELINGS they have in this scene, or who have had some know it all try and make fun of them.

Will: He really cares about his friends. He is so many LAYERS, he has so much to delve into.
Chuckie: Another layered character whose subtext is very different than who he appears to be.
Skylar: Has conflicting character traits which are likely to drive her and others crazy.

The Drama the writers used to trigger the character traits was the standoff in the Harvard bar between the “townies” and the “upper class students.” The group likely picked this bar so no one would know them and why they’re all banged up, as well as to meet new women (who also don’t know them and what they’re like).

Watching this scene made me want to watch the film again. It must be at least 25 years since I’ve watched it. It really holds up.

• This reply was modified 1 year, 2 months ago by  Susan McClaryu. Reason: html codes
• This reply was modified 1 year, 2 months ago by  Susan McClaryu.