Good Will Hunting opens with a kaleidoscopic shot of Will’s (Matt Damon) face. This perspective gives him the tone of a man that still has a childish level of development, but also an individual that sees in a unique manner.  In other words, the opening shot communicates the tagline, a mathematical savant is emotionally underdeveloped to the point where he does not have the ability to create real relationships or really function in society at all. With a premise like that it’s clear that the plot will revolve around this genius becoming the next Einstein, while overcoming his daddy issues. Or it’s unfortunately just about a guy finding a girl. 

Einstein theme would be too easy. Half the movie is about making fun of the ego driven academics. In the second scene of the film we get a shot of the smug annoying supposal genius MIT professor. He is the pinnacle of mathematical excellence. Robin William’s(Sean) character at one-point calls this MIT professor a mathematical dick. Will’s math abilities often emasculates the professor and his colleague’s. 

Matt Damon’s character is certainty the biggest math dick of the bunch, an Einstein sized one, maybe bigger. But, as Kumar says in Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle: “just because your hung like a moose doesn’t mean you have to do porn.” Sure he could be the next Einstein but he just isn’t interested. Maybe he doesn’t want to be used, or maybe he doesn’t trust anyone. 

The trust issues are there, and there is plenty of reason to pin all the problems on the abusive relationship with his foster father. Overcoming those psychological problems would make an interesting film. One thing backing that theme up is the amount of Freudian references that fly free throughout.  In one scene a member of Wills gang masturbates in Chuckie’s(Ben Affleck) moms room into the mitt of Chuckie’s little league glove. A situation so Freudian that I am sure Mr. Damon and Mr. Affleck, who won an Oscar for the screenplay, had lots of fun coming up with it. 

The thing is just as Will constantly makes a mockery of the world of academy, he also spends a good deal of the movie antagonizing therapists. In other words, the Freudian stuff, like the math geniusnesss fits too perfectly for film to dwell on it. Robin Williams as a therapist does share a few tender moments with Will, but not nearly enough to say any real breakthrough happened, or was needed/wanted. 

It seems that this movie is just another boy meets girl, but why? Well, which character from the movie would you want to be? I mean there are three realistic choices; first, we got Will the main man, the genius, naturally the audience is suppose to associate with the main character. The problem with him is he has so much power that he could change the world, who wants that kind of responsibility. Second, there is Will’s best friend Chuckie, he is a funny guy with a decent life, good friends, job security, and relatively low stress level. The problem with him is his life is boring with no possible room for growth.  Third, we get Skyler, the rich, pretty, smart, educated girl. 

Well no surprise, it’s the girl. Her only issue is no parents, but Will is worse off in that department, so she wins. The Robin Williams character could be considered, but he is clearly too old and too bitter about the world. Will choose Skyler because her life is great, anyone would want to be part of it. Matt Damon and Ben Affleck were trying to make the point that he took a leap of faith, he chose the imperfect route, but I don’t think they realize how perfect they made Skyler.