Week 4 Day 3: Pushed to a Breaking Point – GOOD WILL HUNTING

[Sherry Miller]

Loved this movie for its deep psychological insight. Quite an achievement for Matt Damon and Ben Affleck who each followed their dreams to accomplish this masterpiece. Probably a little heavy on satirical writing and some lengthy scenes, but for the most part brilliant writing with solid character development. Will is ordered to be in therapy but he sabotages his time with every psycholgist he meets. I get the feeling that Sean, this particular school psychologist, is his last hope. Sean knows about Will’s genious and is excited about meeting someone with such great promise. Sean is brilliant, too, so they’re evenly matched. Right away when they meet, Will sets the tone for his usual tricks. Daring anyone to question his prowess by spouting out all he knows in a derogatory manner. What Will’s actually doing is exposing his own turmoil and wounds inside. He’s raw, has been sexually abused. Will starts by degrading history books and intellectual tomes Sean has on display. He chides him, “You surround yourself with these fancy history books.” And asks why he doesn’t have a real history book. Though he notices a photo of soldiers, Vietnam?, recognizes Sean, I believe, which makes him hesitate. Perhaps he believes Sean has suffered a little, too. Sean shoots back that he can put the cigarette up his ass. That it may be healthier. Will answers, “Yeah, I know, it really gets in the way of my yoga.” Love the punch line. Evenly matched again. Sean has an answer to counter everything Will says. And Will escalates things. He stares at a painting signed by Sean (McGuire), starts tearing it apart verbally, suggesting he now knows who Sean is inside. “It’s linear, a muffled painting.” “Waves are crashing. It’s a (&%*) storm.” To me, Will’s describing his own turmoil inside, his feelings. He ends, “Van Gogh? (didn’t hear this well) was never very good.” “Sean retorts, “That’s odd. It’s a paint by numbers.” At this point, we know their conversations’s building to a limit, a breaking point. Because it gets more personal. Will says something about “cutting his ear off.” Sean retorts, “Think I should move to the south of France, make my first name Vincent?” They both agree that “Time’s up” when Will gets a breakthrough. He takes a stab at Sean’s wound. “Maybe you married the wrong woman.” And suggests that it shows in the painting proving why he became a psychologist in the first place. An altercation follows, rising to fever pitch. “That’s it. You married the wrong woman.” I believe Will’s trying to say a close relationship won’t work for himself, proving it by downgrading Sean’s. Therefore, proving that all relationships probably end in failure. Breaking Point: Will actually believes he will always fail at personal relationships. Because love doesn’t last. He’d rather shut himself out, use sarcasm for protection. Will goes too far, yells, “What happened? She leave you. Or was she banging someone else?” Sean lunges for Will’s throat yelling, “If you ever disrespect my wife again, I’ll end you.” It’s a revelation to Will. Sean’s wife is dead. Sean realizes he must explore his own emotions, too. We find out later that he suffered pain as well. Are they both ready to heal, move on?
Drama is built around a small psychologist’s office (believe it is on-campus) filled with text books. A place for learning. Freedom to speak, discover. Will is secretive, his demeaner a facade, carries deep hurt, yet has a sarcastic veneer bordering on humorous. He feels lost, covers up with intellect, acts suspicious, sometimes vengeful. Sean knows about Will’s genious and believes he’s worth saving. Drama builds because Will’s a reluctant client. This Doctor and client end up in a tightly cluttered small office. Just the two of them. Will does shows up for the challenge, the vengeful fun, with a “you can’t get to me,” attitude. Sean is curious, funny, satirical, quick-witted, intellectual, down-to-earth, sensitive about certain issues. What a face-off. Definite break-throughs. We, as viewers, are excited about what the final ending will be.