Good Will Hunting - The Psychology of Character

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Good Will Hunting is a film that puts the psychological aspects of story structure right on the surface. This video examines how characters use defense mechanisms to protect themselves, how the supporting characters in a story can be designed to weaken these defenses, and how these elements work together to create a powerful catharsis for both the characters and the audience.
Produced by: Michael Tucker ( / michaeltuckerla )
Written by: Brian Bitner ( / brianbitner )
Edited by: Alex Calleros ( / alex_calleros )
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[@LessonsfromtheScreenplay]

The "It's not your fault" scene gets me every time-what are some movies scenes that never fail to make you emotional?

[@tidepride86]

Lessons from the Screenplay John Candy telling Steve Martin about his deceased wife in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles.

[@red88lcb]

For me, that scene ranks #1. My eyes turn into sprinklers every time

[@abe10alpha]

Molly’s Game. The scene on the bench with the father and his daughter. Such a good scene.

[@tan-tan-tanan]

Hands down, *the montage from Up.*

[@JamesFullelove]

The ending to Shawshank Redemption. Also, the Brooks was here scene!

[@archiephillips1010]

Still blows my mind that Matt Damon and Ben affleck wrote this movie

[@chuckdambuza3938]

Bruuuuuh, I think it shows the level of their writing and how it's underrated especially considering that they were really young as well. Begining to thing they should have let Ben write Batman Vs Superman.

[@officeaddict33]

Did they really?

[@ironboxfilms]

officeaddict33 yeah. They won the Oscar for it!

[@Hope4MeAndYou]

When they were in their 20s!

[@NateSean]

They also produced it. They had a joint bank account which they used to raise funding. That's why they also created Project Green light, to give other aspiring filmmakers a shot at what they had.

[@jtw655]

the conversation where chucky says he hopes everyday when he goes to will's house will won't be there anymore is one of my favorite moments

[@danballe]

That is my favorite NON Robin Williams scene from that movie.

[@rafaelbalsan4512]

and then when he goes there in the end of the movie and he's not home... Such a great payoff

[@cattysplat]

This is a brutal conversation. Nobody wants to be abandoned by their best friend. No friend wants to abandon their best friend. But confronting the reality of growing up and watching your friend throw away their talents and aspirations just to roleplay a manual labourer who lives only for the moment, showed how mature Ben's character is acting in contrast to Matt's character avoiding reality.

[@Ruzz_.]

Best scene is the argument with his girlfriend. I love that scene

[@spartymatt9627]

Those dislikes must be someone's defense mechanism.

It's not their fault.

[@user-uq4gr5nl5o]

@ I know.

[@JeremyRefuse]

@@user-uq4gr5nl5o , it's not their fault.

[@roncriswell2685]

Žiga P. Škraba you beat me to it LOL

[@roncriswell2685]

Jeremy Refuse don't fuck with me not you😭😭😭😜

[@camerongodsey9847]

Michael just explained to me how I felt and why I felt that way. This isn’t even a lesson from a screenplay. This is a lesson from life.

[@LessonsfromtheScreenplay]

all the

[@rociopenin7823]

Same

[@nopantssteve6784]

Haha yes

[@naderayad3228]

@Cypher for me after watching the movie I saw my self doing the same as will for years and years and this video is a confirmation of my held high walls art is life my friend

[@ryling7770]

Brooooo.... Same

[@Tzourosaur]

Oh my god,i now realise how bad i miss Robin Williams.

[@LessonsfromtheScreenplay]

It was really bittersweet revisiting this film for that reason in particular.

[@Tzourosaur]

Yeah,i can feel you man,i watched his stand up performance last week.Aaahhh

[@Minunmaani]

Same, it hit a bit too hard.

[@meh2521]

It's not your fault.

[@-----------g-]

It's okay son.

[@btuescher]

As a counselor myself, this was a very thoughtful breakdown of a great movie. You analyzed the screenplay and characters in the same manner as a good psychologist would analyze and help a client. Great work.

[@LessonsfromtheScreenplay]

That's great to hear! We were hoping to do justice to the work that people such as yourself do.

[@highwayexit]

Screenwriting is like that, for all genres.

[@BH-2023]

If you "analyze" clients in this fashion, then you are harming them, not helping them (but then again, you're a counselor and not a proper therapist, so, it doesn't surprise me that you're okay using pseudo-scientific dribble to leach off of hurting people). Please, for the good of your prospective clients, rescind your license and go back to school

[@loric4550]

@@BH-2023 Yeah, because condescending and rude would help so much more.

[@lenrely2033]

It's interesting how the phrase "go back to school" has come to mean "go to hell".

[@AnthonyChats]

"Two lonely souls being father and son together." DAMN THAT HITS.

[@FutureExitsMedia]

"Look at me, son." aaaand I'm done. Tears every time. No matter how many times I watch this movie it reduces me to a blubbering mess and I love it! :D

[@o_jpsneto]

We are two. I bet that the crew cried too in this scene.

[@aidanyelsma7762]

I still can't believe that this lost to Titanic for best picture at the 1998 Oscars. This was so much better.

[@WeRtheHelp]

True, but Titanic was just a bigger and more popular film unfortunately. Although the quality of Good Will Hunting is much better

[@TheIronDuke9]

The best moment of that award night was when this movie won best screenplay though, Robin jumping up from his seat.. etc

[@scifinerd17]

TheIronDuke not to mention him winning Best Supporting Actor

[@BenDover-cm5mo]

Titanic is for women.

[@sivasankarans4731]

titanic triggered my emotions more than this film

[@johnta17]

"it's not your fault" is one of the greatest scenes in cinema history.

[@wizardgreycat3836]

I'm so socially and emotionally illiterate that I've watched this movie twice and never got it, but this analysis made me choke up. Thank you SO very much.

[@LessonsfromtheScreenplay]

:D

[@gothclown9013]

oof same

[@herenomore3167]

same.

[@richardvogt2056]

Its not your fault (;

[@conan_der_barbar]

same

[@Fleshcut]

The "it's not your fault"-scene is a perfect example for good casting. I cannot picture another actor in that scene but Robin. Even Anthony Hopkins, who is one of my favorites, could not have done a better job. Just perfect. And I also like how I want Robin to stop cornering Matt for some reason. It makes me feel uneasy, as if I was Will Hunting.

[@brendantroitsky4041]

I think you also feel uneasy because you're concerned Will is going to snap when he's cornered. Sean is putting their relationship on the line there, and we (the audience) know it.

[@shayshayshayshayshayshayshay]

I could see Bryan Cranston doing it maybe

[@Wally-pu2hh]

Because Robin is homosexual

[@brianbobyoung3266]

Love this movie so much, such a great job as always...my absolute favorite scene is Robin Williams monologue on the park bench... “I’d ask you about love and you’d probably quote me a sonnet. But you’ve never looked at a woman and been totally vulnerable, known someone that could level you with her eyes. Feeling like God put an angel on earth just for you, who could rescue you from the depths of hell. And you wouldn’t know what it’s like to be her angel, to have that love for her, be there forever, through anything, through cancer. And you wouldn’t know about sleeping sitting up in the hospital room for two months, holding her hand, because the doctors could see in your eyes that the terms ‘visiting hours’ don’t apply to you. You don’t know about real loss, ’cause it only occurs when you’ve loved something more than you love yourself. And I doubt you’ve ever dared to love anybody that much.”

[@realiteaohansi3341]

I wish Robin Williams was my therapist

[@gavyngelinas1726]

Realitea Ohansi there’s a couple reasons why that won’t happen

[@adsjj1]

You really don't...

[@cabrondemente1]

I wouldn't put my mental health in the hands of someone with crippling depression.

[@PomegranateStaindGrn]

Watafu, interesting that you might believe mental health providers don’t have mental illnesses of their own. But Robin Williams didn’t have "crippling depression".

[@TheoCynical]

You know counselors and professors need also to see counselors and professors, right?

[@NuttyMongrel]

I never picked up on the fact that Will rapidly cycles through his defense mechanisms in the "it's not your fault" scene. That's a great observation.

[@speelbergo]

I was 17 when this movie came out and it was the first one i saw in theaters where the dialogue just blew me away. Thanks for highlighting this awesome film.

[@LessonsfromtheScreenplay]

It's one of my favorites. Still weird that it was written by Matt Damon and Ben Affleck!

[@brianmessemer2973]

It's so true. Even if every piece of acting or writing they did after GWH was mediocre, which is not the case, but even if it was, they would still be two of the most important screenwriters/actors of the late 20th and early 21st centuries. This film means so much to me. Your essay is a thing of enlightened beauty. As a teacher, I would like to say thank you for creating a great lesson and letting us all be students of this important and timeless film. @@LessonsfromtheScreenplay

[@poelaye267]

I want a “Psychology of the Character” series, please, Michael, if possible. Another character I find that would be fitting here is the main character of Bridesmaids, Annie. Or Cate Blanchett’s character in Blue Jasmine. Or Casey Affleck’s character in Manchester by the Sea-you could do whoever character you choose, I’d still watch it. If you read this, please think about it haha, I’m sure a lot of us would love that. Thank you for the great content as usual!

[@nadezhdasim2393]

I second this!

[@ellafidlin6138]

I third this!

[@alisaleemali1290]

Agreed

[@chrisbrownskin1994]

This story changed my life, I had the same issues as will all my life and this story help me break free of the debilitating loneliness, I felt within my own life. This movie is a roller coaster of emotions.

[@faithmedlock8671]

Robin Williams is always perfect for his roles, especially in this movie. Hes the type of actor that makes you forget that he is acting

[@rmurray819]

They all were, nothing felt forced it just felt natural

[@davidho0603]

Nerdwriter, NYSI, LFTS in less than two hours. DAMMMMNNNN.

[@chrisrichbeats7383]

Not the first time this has happened I swear they plan this

[@davidho0603]

@@chrisrichbeats7383 Totally Agree lol

[@lastminutesavior]

Can someone tell me what channel is that "NYSI"? 😅 Much appreciated

[@chrisrichbeats7383]

Last Minute Savior now you see it

[@TheArdhyCard]

@@lastminutesavior Now You See It

[@johnf8147]

One of my favorite movies of all time. I’ve seen the first scene (when they first meet) be dissected a number of times but no one seems to address what I think is the true genius of this scene. Will is not simply looking for weaknesses, he is more systematic than that. He attacks (in order) mind, body and soul (bookshelves, bench-press, painting) and it is in this way that the film makers tell us exactly what battleground this war will take place on (the emotional). The scene expertly sets up the direction of Will’s development as he begins to realize that what he perceives to be Robin Williams’ biggest weakness is actually his biggest strength.

[@maddog2439]

Whenever I even hear “good will hunting” my heart drops. It’s the only movie that’s ever made me cry, other than dog movies.

[@randomguy3139]

It's a great movie, but "what dreams may come" gets me too...

[@kumarrajesh5668]

Crying now

[@MrNintendoblock]

I love this channel so fucking much. Michael, keep up the absolutely amazing work, quality over quantity, always!

[@LessonsfromtheScreenplay]

Thank you! :)

[@Authoravarndal]

Indeed. Every month I'm just waiting for the new exciting episode.

[@ewfq2]

@@LessonsfromtheScreenplay I just discovered this channel and you were so effective at whatever you're doing that for the first time I didn't zone out at the ad and actually realized yeah I kinda like the idea of skillshare . I think that says a lot about your content and style. You're calm in speech, profound without pretention, and evocative in a kind of subtlety I can't place - I think its your ability to parallel your video script with a movie's story whilst balancing their respective contributions to the video. I dunno man but

[@deepdirt]

Elliott Smith’s music was the perfect choice for this film. The ending scene where Sean reads the note “I gotta go see about a girl” and then just Wills car on the open road with “Miss Misery” playing is so beautiful and the perfect way to end this film. r.i.p Elliott, and Robin.

[@Screened]

Who's cutting onions!?! That scene just get's to me!

[@thewin9459]

Chucky was a great part of this movie. Especially when he calls Will out. It stings, but you know he's right. And it's also heart warming knowing he wants what's best for his friend. Sort of reminds me of something my Dad said to me.

[@JamesFullelove]

Great film! Probably Robin William’s best performance :) EDIT: Thanks for all the likes lol

[@LessonsfromtheScreenplay]

So much pain and love and understanding all at once.

[@tuskinradar8688]

I think the best part about Robin Williams' performances, especially cause I totally agree it's his best, but it's this feeling that he isn't even acting. It's like Robin William's just IS this person in whatever role hes in, it's really something unique.

[@irotinmyskin]

try worlds greatest dad. he is far superior in that in my opinion

[@JamesFullelove]

irotinmyskin okay!

[@angelaisacliche]

I think One Hour Photo is his best. That or Genie in Aladdin.

[@CelticWappie]

I don't know if characters have to be unaware of their own defense mechanisms and oblivious to their own problems. The realisation that you are suffering from a deeper psychological problem is only the first step in the healing process. You can still exhibit avoiding behaviour, while at the same time being fully aware that this is just a defense mechanism. That's how strong trauma can be. I'm speaking from personal experience on this.

[@ThriveAfterAbuse]

Renzo Nieland Well said.

[@johnwalker1058]

Makes sense. There's simply being aware that a problem exists. Then there's having some knowledge or understanding on how that problem works and negatively impacts other things related to it. Then there's having a solution to address the problem or help relieve one or more of its symptoms. Then there's having a whole, comprehensive, and exhaustive solution to said problem, finally being able to conquer it in complete victory for the overcomer successfully solving the problem.

[@martinsolorzano9071]

Wow this really resonated with me. Thank you for posting this

[@shill1444]

03:30 is the first time I EVER felt fear watching Robin Williams on film. This is the nicest, most patient man in the world who is a step away from kicking your ass. Just let him be sweet. Second time was watching One Hour Photo. Such a great, great talent...

[@cardayz1391]

Awesome analysis. One thing I really liked was the final interaction between Will and Sean. While Will was never able to grow up properly, partly as a result of his abusive relationship with his father (who left him), he finally gains a fatherly figure (Sean) and in the last interaction he is called son, and now it is Will that walks out (literally and figuratively) of the father-son relationship, not the father. This signifies his maturation, that finally he has completed his development as a child and can leave the company of his parents. Beckons a question of the role of parents in all of our lives. Maybe the 18 years we spend under the roof of our parent(s) is so we can develop until we are ready to move on to adulthood on our own, and if the person fails to pass through the childhood stage then they are stuck in a psychological trap as Will is, waiting until a surrogate parent can emerge and break the child through this stage of development.

[@matthewyancey2260]

In my English class we are studying the ideas of walls we build to block our inner selves from others. We read this book called "A Monster Calls". It is a beautiful short book that offers another perspective on the difficult task of knowing yourself. We all knew will had issues, and Will knew it, but he didn't know it. It just helps turn your thoughts to yourself to see what mechanisms you are using in uncomfortable situations.

[@TheGeneralDisarray]

Matthew Yancey the films great too

[@vanessalynn4064]

This is one of the best movies I’ve ever seen. The writer did an amazing job with the characters. The math professor is narcissistic but sees Will’s potential. Sean cares about Will as a person and wants him to be happy. I can relate to Will because I have the same attachment style. When someone gets to close whether I like them or not I push them away. It really sucks because I don’t do it on purpose.

[@chinmaygaikwad11]

It not your fault #GHOOSEBUMPS MISS YOU ROBIN

[@wy4553]

Ouhh so glad you covered this movie! I think one of the more underrated scenes in Good Will Hunting is when Sean and Lambeau argues with each other about what they think is best for Will. You can tell they both deeply care about him, but have completely different philosophies and approaches. You also get insight into each character's background as well as their strained relationship. Also, I love how unique your videos are.. I never really know what the content of your videos will be going in (because they're not the typical "explaination" or "opinion piece"), but they're always super engaging and have great takeaways!

[@budspudsy436]

Nerdwriter, Lessons from the Screenplay, and Now You See It all just so happened to upload a video at the same time? What a fantastic coincidence.

[@7razman]

Hi Michael. My Name's Sheraz and I'm from the UK, and I am a Wheelchair user. I am an avid watcher of you videos, and an aspiring Screenwriter myself. From the bottom of my heart I wanna say Thank You to you. Because of your insightful videos, I am finding my own Creative Process as time goes on. Writing a Screenplay is extremely difficult, as I'm sure you know. Its daunting, not just because of trying to find interesting stories to tell, or the number of pages you have to write... But also because you have to find your own way of working and constructing a story from scratch. I have written a screenplay when I was in University, but I had a lot of help from tutors and even though I finished it, I never felt I had a grasp of my own process, until now. It took me a while, but I am well on my way to writing my second Screenplay, partly thanks to you. I feel confident and watching your videos has helped me immensely. I just wanted to express my gratitude. Thank you Sheraz

[@AlvarVraal]

I want to ask you something, please don´t take offense as it is just genuine curiosity. Why did you decide to include the part about you being a wheelchair user?

[@David-ud9ju]

@@AlvarVraal I was going to ask the same thing. I was expecting the comment to relate to their disability. Seems really weird that you'd allow it to define you so strongly that you can't help bringing it up in a KZbin comment.

[@Johonnac]

Alvar Villa Maybe to give others in his situation hope/inspiration?

[@7razman]

I guess I never really thought about it like that. I was just saying something about myself... Wasn’t all that deep really

[@xingcat]

This reminds me a bit of "Educating Rita," where you follow the journey of someone who is smart but uneducated and someone who is educated but not necessarily emotionally intelligent as their roles shift, all mostly contained in a single room (the play only has the two of them in one office, the movie expands this). Pure internal change can be as exciting to watch as any action sequence, if it's done right. GWH is an excellent example of this. Love your videos!

[@LessonsfromtheScreenplay]

Interesting, I haven't heard of that film! I'll have to add it to my list of movies to check out.

[@JunebugPresents]

You're going to make me watch Educating Rita.

[@xingcat]

I really love the movie, which admittedly is based on my love of the play, but Julie Walters and Michael Caine are definitely worth watching!

[@KBMaximus]

0

[@LikeAGentlemanPlease]

Tell those 13 dislikes ITS NOT YOUR FAULT....

[@famasymas7]

Two scenes always gets me. 1) Green Mile "I'm tired boss. Tired of bein' on the road, lonely as a sparrow in the rain. Tired of not ever having me a buddy to be with, to tell me where we's going to, coming from or why. Mostly I'm tired of people being ugly to each other. I'm tired of all the pain I feel and hear in the world everyday. There's too much of it. It's like pieces of glass in my head all the time. Can you understand ?" - Green Mile 2) Dancer in the dark The final scene where she is singing is so heart wrenching to me.

[@i_h26]

Thank god you made this video! The first time I saw this movie I thought it was wonderful, but it didn’t hit me until later how much of a masterpiece this film is. You’re one of the best youtubers working today, thanks for this awesome video!

[@LessonsfromtheScreenplay]

Thanks Ian! That was my experience with this film as well :)

[@Crazelord91]

Good Will Hunting is the greatest indie movie of all time. Which is especially impressive because it was a big studio production...

[@Crazelord91]

@@saoirsedeltufo7436 r/woosh

[@Crazelord91]

@ravi sanchez Now that's a response comment. Which is especially impressive bc the criticism is so flimsy...

[@apollion888]

You just added a new layer of appreciation to this film. Seeing it in January 1998 is the reason I packed all my possessions in my car and moved to California. Great job

[@veganvampire95]

what you said at the end there summarizes why watching good will hunting is such a cathartic experience!! "we witness their inner conflict as they avoid the very thing that will make them whole". that's something we all do, so when will finally manages to stop avoiding things like love and his future it feels really healing for us too. loved this

[@nikhilbharali5298]

When Sean says it's not your fault, this video plays music to probably avoid copyright problems. But that's when you realise that this scene was so damn effective just because it didn't have music in the first place until Will breaks down and hugs Sean. The silence helps us to get involved with Will's emotions and feel relieved when the music plays and he hugs Sean, due to the Catharsis.

[@Elle-eq4hy]

Hey Micheal. I get so emotional over your videos. I feel passionate about them. Thank you.

[@nanna4673]

I remember watching this movie for the first time when I was quite young like 13 or something like that and still being very much affected by past trauma the “it’s not your fault”-scene made me have a very sudden and emotional reaction. It’s such a simple sentence that survivors of trauma and abuse can have such a hard time believing.

[@90kittyXkat0777]

The way you broke down Will's character development gave me a much deeper appreciation of this movie. There were many observations you made that gave me a new perspective and made me realise how much I can relate to his character. Superficial elements (such as gender, age and environment) prevented me from seeing what Will's character ultimately boiled down to; a hurt person, afraid of change. The way Will meets his challenges and his response to them, really resonates to how I feel when confronted with an uncomfortable situation, eventhough my approach would differ vastly to his. This does give a different feel towards the ending of the movie, because I know how in real life, unfortunately it takes more than one breakthrough to truly break an unhealthy pattern that was used your whole life as a defense mechanism. It is so easy to regress to your old ways, despite not wanting to. I suppose how the movie ends is just the beginning to Will's journey to self recovery. I think many more people can relate to his person, as you have proven to me today.

[@rawtaa8591]

One of my favorite movies of all time! I first saw this when I was 13 going through adolescence and adoption issues. I loved it and have always understood Will's character and psychology but could never articulate it and give examples like you just did. So thank you :)

[@3645darren]

This is beautiful work, I often meet people where it would look as if life imitates art but I realise that art draws it's inspiration from life itself. Thank you for this break down and the references. It will enable me to understand those around me in a deeper way and hopefully not be 'oblivious' to my own flaws. Great work, once again, thank you.

[@andy4an]

for me the moments that most make me cry are those that morph tears of sadness into tears of joy Belle singing "the love is gone" in muppet christmas carol, and again when the cast reprises the song as "the love we found", even 12+ watches later. I've seen coco 3 times now, and i cry when we see coco with her whole family, because we are sad she has died, but thrilled that they are reconnected. "life is beautiful" has the tragic loss of the dad, but the fulfillment of his mission to keep his son alive and emotionally unharmed, and his wife's spirits up through the Holocaust, combined with his reunion of the boy with his mother. I've seen it about 6 times now.

[@ramyap6410]

You really give out the necessary and genuine information. Subscribed 🤗

[@Vince009]

I love all the nostalgia at the end. We love you Michael!

[@dlb83082]

4:57 - self sabatoge - something I am well aware of!

[@Jewpacca]

Real insights, flawless editing, relaxed style, unpretentious attitude... I love this channel so much and wish it weren't so rare. Thank you for making these videos!

[@rityasiwigita]

AHHH im so glad that you made this video. this movie meant so much to me and i even analyzed this movie on Will's attachment style and his defense mechanism as my undergraduate thesis! thank you for making this video, it's so refreshing to hear your take in it and I got more insight of Will's characteristics💗💗

[@CoinOpTV]

Good breakdown -- classic flick! 1mil subs soon bruh!

[@calebdrew5684]

I really enjoyed this video! I had to read the screenplay for a scene study class and was amazed that I'd been judging this movie based on my teenaged opinions of Matt and Ben without ever revisiting the movie. Reading the screenplay however caused me to see how I relate to the characters and what an incredible feat of writing it is. I'm here for another scene study from this same movie and I really appreciate the insight into Will's character. New subscriber right here. :)

[@chelbylu87]

Don't often feel the need to comment on KZbin but I just wanted to let you know that I just discovered your channel and watched this and another video and I think your analyses are so well broken down into easily understood but perceptive parts with great reasoning and researched evidence behind your points. It is such a gift you give to the world. Thank you.

[@alexlarson5345]

I'm so glad you're back to releasing videos! I'm a clinical psychology graduate student, and I've really appreciated your videos--they have gotten me interested in understanding the art of movies, and I'm interested in seeing the interplay of understanding psychology and writing satisfying stories. Thank you for your high quality videos!

[@rickyrivaldo6567]

Thank you for bringing this video into reality, i find it's just like a psychologist giving me a cure. I have "ego defense mechanism" like Will, but i never even recognize it until i make the wrong way toward my relations with my partner and friends. In a sudden moment i remembered about Will and how this movie is like describing me, except the intellect Will has 😄 I learnt a lot from this movie and especially from Lesson from the Screenplay 🙏

[@EDOG4733]

This is so dope I love thoroughly dissecting movies and I’ve never been able to explain it as well as you have in these videos, especially with my top 3 favorite movie ever, Good Will Hunting, keep up the good work man, love this channel!! Shawshank would be a good one to do as well along with The Departed and The Breakfast Club

[@bea.c.a.m]

Michael I'm so glad you decided to make this video. There was a lack of content related to it (I couldn't find any analysis video up until now). Thanks! You're amazing

[@moviemaker60fps]

I love your work, Michael. Insightful and enlightening. Every single video a gem.

[@theBrendanONeill]

Holy crap, Michael. All your stuff is very, very good, but this may be your best. You knocked it out of the park with this one. Simple, clear, concise, deep. Staggering.

[@LessonsfromtheScreenplay]

Wow, thanks Brendan!

[@evandrobatista7086]

Hey, Michael, thanks for the video, is great as always. Good Will Hunting was a life changing movie for me, not only because of the great script and directing, but because of it's theme, and the fact that this movie made me want to know more about the work that is made behind the cameras. By studying the art of writing, i discovered how our lifes look like movies, and we are the protagonists of our own life-movies. This idea gave me some insights on how approach people and face problems in my life. You are a great part of this, because through your videos i could know more about movies, and about myself. Thank you!

[@LessonsfromtheScreenplay]

:D Thanks Evandro.

[@whomustnotbenamed5]

I can't tell you how happy I am that you did a video on this movie. I saw this for the first time when I was 12yo and I remember being overwhelmed by it in the best way. Even though the only things I had in common was a sense of guilt and the fear of opening up I completely identified with Will's character and because of that the 'It's not your fault' moment broke me. I don't think I've ever cried with a movie like I did with this one. It was like a mini therapy session.

[@Zurassh]

This channel is extremely underrated. Absolutely flawless analysis of a timeless classic.

[@joshuasoriano17]

Oh wow an analysis vid on a movie i haven't watched yet made me cry. Thanks i hate it but downloading the movie anyway

[@mustavogaia2655]

Do you think Will's troubled childhood pushed him into become Bourne?

[@asnowballinhell]

Yes. And after he quit his life as Jason Bourne, he settled down and started a family with Gwyneth Paltrow. Unfortunately, she died in a pandemic, leaving him the single father of their teenage daughter.

[@chyu89]

Then he chose to went to a space expedition.

[@mariamacuga5717]

chyu89 so when he buy a zoo? 🤔

[@loric4550]

@@asnowballinhell A runaway, teenage daughter!

[@ryanmargetts]

Your approach to writing and editing this video essay is almost as emotionally cathartic as the film itself. Excellent work, as usual. Thank you for this wonderful and enlightening content!

[@TroytroytroyBarboza]

This is my favorite KZbin Channel. Intelligent, insightful dissections with excellently paced and framed storytelling their own. Cheers, sir; keep up the excellent work!

[@rasaecnai]

Sicario please! I will comment this comment because i will not give up on you making a video on Denis Villeneuve's piece.

[@rasaecnai]

@@chris7583 Oh im sorry i was referring to Denis as the director. The screenplay for Sicario was written by Taylor Sheridan. Still my request stands. I really really hope LFTS do Sicario.

[@krynetik]

​@@chris7583 I think Denis co-wrote his early Canadian films Polytechnique& Incendies.

[@HushIAmTalking]

I realised that I’ve started looking forward the super smooth transition into the ad the end 😅

[@ChinaMo]

I just found your channel yesterday and had to watch pretty much everything. I don't write, but I LOVE movies and storytelling--especially trying to figure out what's happening underneath the visual--so I'm learning a great deal from your videos! Thank you!

[@olgasenatov5098]

This is so good and helpful! Thank you for these lessons! When I watch film I mention everything only subconsciously (or don't mention at all), but the way you divide the story each time really helps to understand it deeply and work better on my own! Having a whole new wave of inspiration!

[@Ethan-tn4jc]

just that scene alone had me weeping, I gotta work on my defense mechanisms

[@cherrykate888]

Hello! I was wondering if you could analyze Boots Riley's "sorry to bother you" ! Such an interesting and unique film that I wished more people talked about.

[@nomatesman]

This is amazing! Seriously, this is one of the best videos I've seen on You Tube. Also one of my favourite films of all time. Thanks for posting, I loved this. Also, I've just subscribed to your podcast.

[@virtuex10]

Best Video yet! I had first seen Good Will Hunting just a few years ago. And I couldn't believe how well written, and how phenomenally performed this story was. It's become one of my favorite movies ever.

[@GoatVindicator]

RIP Robin Williams; you have always been one of the GOATs and will forever be in our memories.

[@Taygun89]

Holy shit I'm cryin' right now....need to watch this movie again....

[@TopG1rlAdz]

I love love love your videos. You edit them so well and talk about the movies and the screen writing in ways I would have never. Always a joy!

[@cjgayle7815]

This is my favourite video from this channel. This film has been brilliantly reconstructed.

[@warisop]

I remember almost a year ago I requested this movie to be on your channel. Great work! and thanks :)

[@LessonsfromtheScreenplay]

It was one I always knew I wanted to get to at some point!

[@warisop]

Lessons from the Screenplay its just such a good script, can’t believe Damon and Affleck wrote ir being that young!

[@spinakker14]

You know, I have a degree in psychology, so I find many moments cheesy and clichéd (to my taste), I understand how the movie wants to manipulate us at every turn Still, I think it's a very well written movie and that scene gets me, too

[@shounen17]

What a timely video for me! I'm writing a story now about an unexpected father-son pairing, and while I've been able to imagine the "father" quite clearly, the emotional life of the "son" has been cloudy...until now. Can't thank you enough for taking the time to do this!

[@ameliameyer2324]

Wow. There are a lot of video essays doing film analysis on youtube, but none can compare to these in terms of quality, content, or entertainment value. These are just in a different league. The content is insightful, unique, and just plain interesting. Furthermore the videos are so well crafted. The style is successful for both being engaging entertainment and communicating information clearly and efficiently. By far my favorite content on all of youtube.

[@dontyoufuckinguwume8201]

Into the trash bin my writing dream goes..

[@TrollsFormers05]

Rafka Dof why tho?

[@maxschumann2761]

sounds like a defence mechanism to me.

[@kingraj333]

lol i'm an aspiring writer too and this video both intimidates and inspires me at the same time. An amazing work like this couldn't be done without SEVERAL drafts and rewrites and LOTS of time to think about it. It also was combined effort between Matt and Ben. And it IS an oscar winning script so.... we are looking at the creme of the crop writing here.

[@vanessa-ig4rn]

I love your videos! But I would like you to also place the youtube automatic translation into Portuguese as well. So I'd understand your videos better! Thanks. (Sorry for any mistake, I did the translation on google translator)

[@Seemlypseudonym]

Possibly your most beautiful video yet - really fabulous work

[@mehulkenia9266]

Best video I have seen on KZbin. Thanks for breaking down the psychology of the character so amazingly well 🙌

[@dubaruke]

is the movie of my life

[@peterjhartvideo]

This video smells like freshly chopped onions

[@samwallaceart288]

Ｌａｙｅｒｓ！

[@EzeICE]

I'm not crying, you're crying!!

[@ibrahimahmedkhan9382]

One is lucky when he is blessed with friend like Chucky- the joy and smile he had when Will finally left to embrace his true self is so satisfying ❤️

[@alinaespinoza8931]

I just want to say thank you for posting these type of videos where you analyze the characters and the language being used. This way, I can appreciate movies that are ahead of their time. I’m still pretty young (thirteen) so I haven’t experienced anything that much yet, and I like learning about life. This is one of my dad’s favorite movies and he’s always been explaining about the true meaning behind this movie, thanks dad. If I ever relate to some struggles when I’m older, I’ll know what to do. RIP Robin, he was a legend.

[@prabhdeepsingh5642]

You know your are in for a fantabolous treat "when lessons from the screenplay", "now you see it " and "nerdwriter" uploads their video at the same day. 😬

[@jeanleon3537]

*IS THAT:* A) Matt Damon B) Philip Seymour Hoffman

[@SweetCake8]

This has always been a favourite of mine saw it in 2014 when I was 13 and it's still had a huge impact on my teen years. My favourite scene is still the park bench scene, such a poetic monologue by Robin Williams

[@wahabmarahman]

you are amazing!! i feel like rewatching every great movie with this psychological perspective!! thank you so much!