Good Will Hunting (R, 1999)

common sense media says

Moving story of brilliant, troubled youth for older teens.


parents & educators say
  • 33% say language is an issue

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.

Positive messages: The movie sends the message that finding your special gifts can rescue even the most seemingly powerless individuals from hard lives. It also says that love and commitment are incomparable sources of healing and change and that true friendship is selfless, not envious.
Positive role models: The story follows an angry, bitter, self-destructive young man who's transformed by caring, unselfish relationships. Two college teachers are portrayed as having distinctly different motivations: One is dedicated to advancing science while the other hopes to enable his student to transcend an abusive childhood, realize his full potential, and find a balance in life.
Violence: One violent fist fight early in the film: Street toughs attack another group of young men in a no-holds-barred kicking and punching session. Police arrive and take control by pummeling the participants. Also references to the lead character’s suffering physical abuse at the hands of a parent.
Sex: Both gentle and passionate kissing in several scenes. In one post-sexual moment, a couple cuddles and kisses. In one scene masturbation is inferred but not shown.
Language: Very frequent strong language includes many uses of "f--k" in numerous forms, as well as words like "s--t," "bitch," "prick," "a--hole," "retard," and "balls" and phrases/terms like "up your a--," "jerking off," and "douchebag."
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: In the South Boston culture portrayed here, the young men consistently hang out in bars, and smoking and drinking play a major part in their socializing. College kids and teachers are also seen using alcohol as an integral part of their social activity.

More on Good Will Hunting

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Families can talk about friendship. How do friends help and hinder each other in this movie? Do their relationships seem realistic?
  • How does the movie portray sex and drinking? Parents, talk to your teens about your own family's perspective on these topics.

What's the story?

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?

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.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Miramax
Director: Gus Van Sant
Cast: Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Minnie Driver, Robin Williams
Genre: Drama
Run time: 126 minutes
Theatrical release: October 1, 1999
DVD release: December 8, 1998
MPAA Rating: R
MPAA explanation: very strong language, sexual references and situations, and some violence

This review was written by Nell Minow
 
 

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What parents & educators say

15
Based on 6 parent & educator reviews:
  • 33% say language is an issue

Most useful reviews by all members

dwiggit101
teen, 16 years old
 
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)

asecoolish
teen, 14 years old
 
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.

genericscreenname1
teen, 17 years old
 
good story would be better with less language

Ashnak
adult
 
Good Adult Movie
This movie makes you feel for the characters. Great mature movie.

 
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).

Mr581
teen, 18 years old
 
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

Julie3000x
teen, 18 years old
 
Pretty good
OMG! MATT DAMON IS SOOO HOT!!!

 
Perfect for Mature Teens
This movie was exceptional, and had a great positive message. There was a lot of language, but nothing a mature teen can handle. There is also a brief section of content sexual in nature, but again, not so extreme that teens need to skip the entire experience.

H2O Family
teen, 18 years old
 

horselover326
teen, 18 years old
 
Good but not for kids
This movie was really touching and good but the language was completley unnessicary. It's not like I haven't heard bad language before but this was just constant. It is only for mature teens. It was great acting especially from Matt Damon and Robin Williams. Robin Williams deserved the award he got for it. Also Matt Damon and Ben Affleck deserved the award they got for best original script.

 
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.

uhya
teen, 13 years old
 
great movie. biggest problem here is constant use of f--k and s--t. there are some sexual references, aggressive scenes and drinking and smoking. Robin Williams is fantastic, as well as Matt Damon. great movie for teens and up.

Curcismith123
kid, 11 years old
 
Quite something
Really quite something! It had a very good, original screenplay with a killer cast!

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