Gus Van Sant’s first foray into a lesser offbeat movie is as engrossing and stimulating as his previous or subsequent (more critically acclaimed) arthouse classics. A plethora of movies have been made on geniuses and underdogs, but very few have done so from an otherwise common working man’s perspective. Matt Damon plays the eponymous role of a mathematical genius with a photographic memory, but he is also a very troubled, difficult individual, a member of the proletariat, who “knows the worth of everything, but the value of nothing.” Robin Williams plays an equally troubled, emotionally damaged professor of psychology with devastating effect. The complex, layered and fascinating bond that they develop ends up changing his very perspective on life for the former, while aids the latter to come to peace with his inner self. A visually enthralling, wonderfully enacted, touching and thought provoking underrated classic and the most mainstream effort from indie-specialist Van Sant, it manages to caress the heart and provide fodder for the brain with equal ease and grace.
Director: Gus Van Sant
Genre: Drama/Psychological Drama/Coming-of-Age/Buddy Film/Romantic Drama
Language: English
Country: US
Director: Gus Van Sant
Genre: Drama/Psychological Drama/Coming-of-Age/Buddy Film/Romantic Drama
Language: English
Country: US
5 comments:
"It's not you fault, its not your fault"-one of the best scenes showing homecoming to your lost,confused self...exquisite portrayal of soul-searching...to me its a 5/5...
To me it wasn't a 5-star movie, but a wonderful movie nonetheless. Robin WIlliams was terrific.
This film is such a disappointment in comparison to the highly original aesthetics and rough-hewn narrative sensibility of his first three features. Even To Die For, Van Sant's first real "commercial" feature, is quite good and retains his unique approach. This is just dull, saccharine, and totally generic -- anyone could've directed this work-for-hire nonsense. I don't fault Van Sant for wanting to pay the bills, and if making this and Finding Forrester gave him the funds and rep to direct Gerry, then more power to him. It doesn't mean I want to actually watch the movies. I'm so glad that Van Sant seems to have stepped back outside the mainstream with his more recent features, which have been the best work of his career.
Well, honestly speaking, my views on Good Will Hunting were from a personal point of view rather than being from a detached, completely cinematic point of view. I liked the movie a lot, even though, as you aptly said, this wasn't the most critically acclaimed movie vis-a-vis his brilliant arthouse indie efforts.
On the other hand, i don't think its a crime per se to go mainstream once in a while, to connect with a larger audience, to make a more accessible movie. I guess you might agree on that.
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