 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Good Will Hunting
- Review Date: May 6, 2003
- R
- Genre: Drama
- 1999
Common Sense Media says
Moving story of brilliant, troubled youth for older teens.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that despite a constant onslaught of angry, sexual, and insulting language ("f--k" and its comrades "s--t," "retard," and "a--hole" are used incessantly, as are other salty words and terms), mature teens and adults will find this Oscar-winning drama about a self-destructive young man who's transformed by caring relationships to be an uplifting and inspiring story. One street brawl early in the film includes bloody fistfights, kicking, and pounding; sexuality includes some passionate kissing, post-sexual cuddling, and one session of inferred masturbation. The young people -- both college students and street kids -- drink beer and other alcohol throughout the movie.
What's the story?
Will (Matt Damon), who grew up as an abused foster child in tough South Boston, works as a janitor at MIT. When he solves complicated math problems that stumped the students, a professor searches for him, only to find that he's in jail for hitting a policeman. The professor promises that he'll work with Will and will get him psychiatric help. When Will manages to scare off a string of therapists, the professor seeks out his estranged friend from college, Sean (Robin Williams). Like Will, Sean is the survivor of a tough Southie upbringing is still struggling with his own loss -- which means Sean is able to help Will realize that he's not betraying his friends by using his gifts to enlarge his world. Along the way, Will falls in love with Harvard pre-med student Skylar (Minnie Driver). She and Sean teach him that the walls he built to protect himself from pain are no longer needed and are in fact getting in his way.
Is it any good?
Mature teens will appreciate GOOD WILL HUNTING -- which earned a writing Oscar for Damon and co-star Ben Affleck -- as a story about a brilliant young man with a troubled past. Both gritty and moving, it's a powerful tale of realizing your potential -- and the often-painful realities of growing up.
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AGE
One of the best! :)
I love this movie! There is a LOT of cussing, but it's okay if you think your child can handle it and know not to say those words. But it has some really good messages and it's worth watching. Mature teens and adults. You can read my full review on my website (You can find the website address by clicking on my profile)
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AGE
Now I remember why I love this movie so much...
I recently rewatched this movie on DVD, seeing as the last time I had seen it was almost a year ago. It is an absolutely excellent drama with the right amount of humor here. I remeber this movie was a big deal because MAtt Damon and Ben Affleck wrote the script themselves when they were probably in their very young twenties, and wond the Academy for Best Original Screenplay. It was also important for Damon and Affleck, because it helped launch their careers as actors, and they actually refused to give the movie studio the script unless they were going to star in it (which would have been a risk back then, since neither of the two had been considered that good of actors). As for content, this movie was ALSO a big deal because they used the f-bomb about 150 times. However, don't let that deter you from this excellent movie. And if you have to, you can always watch it on TV where they say "freaking" instead (though the commercials do kind of cut into the experience).
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AGE
this is a great movie there is quite a a bit of language but its not to bad there is also some brief crude diolauge younger kids wouldn't really understand.
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AGE
Good Adult Movie
This movie makes you feel for the characters. Great mature movie.
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AGE
Coming of age movie
There's a bit of language. There's also sex themes in there. Not for younger kids or preteens. I think older teens will enjoy this movie. It's a coming of age movie about finding one's self in the face of pain and challenges. Got drinking, too.
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AGE
there is a brief fight scene and there is blood and Will starts POUNCING on this guy until the guy is knocked out and Will and his friends smoke and cuss
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| Studio: | Miramax |
| Director: | Gus Van Sant |
| Cast: | Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Minnie Driver, Robin Williams |
| Genre: | Drama |
| Run time: | 126 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | October 1, 1999 |
| DVD release date: | December 8, 1998 |
| MPAA rating: | R |
| MPAA explanation: | very strong language, sexual references and situations, and some violence |
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