Gus Van Sant's last film, TO DIE FOR, thrilled me. I loved it. So when I heard that I had a spy at GOOD WILL HUNTING, the new Gus Van Sant film I was excited. It was screened for the first time anywhere Tuesday night in New Jersey. Hmmmm so was Phantoms. Hmmmmmm. Well our spy known only as Kyle Richmond smashed his way into the screening and reported on what he saw. He is a smashing good spy. Here is his look on the film:
Tonight I just saw a test screening of the new Gus Van Sant film Good Will Hunting. Produced by Lawrence Bender and Co-produced by Kevin Smith.
This screening was in New Jersey and they said it was the first time it was shown to an audience. The film was very intense with excellent drama. It centers on the character of Will Hunting played by Matt Damon (Damon also wrote the film with Ben Affleck) who is a mathematical genius. It is frequently in trouble and on parole. Working a job at MIT he is discovered by a Professor who is at the top of his field. The film centers mainly on Hunting's relationship with the therapist the Professor sets him up with Sean (played by Robin Williams) as well as Wills love intrest played by Minnie Driver.
The perfomances are excellent, Ben Affleck again is very impressive as Chuckie Will's best friend. The relationships in this movie are all very well defined and dramatically potent. The humor is excellent, with a few barroom scenes livened up with some great jokes. Their are even some great one liners, but not an overabundance like in Batman and Robin. I was a part of the Target group and I believe something like 14 people of twenty rated the movie excellent. All in all this is a well written movie with some real surprises and not your typical Hollywood ending.
It is not coming out until January sometime so this was a very early cut I'm sure. Some people complained of the movie dragging in the beggining (of which I did not agree) but all agreed that the ending was very well paced and a creative conclusion to the film. Hope this info can be of use to you..........
Agony! Having to wait till January. Argh!!!! Oh well, there are plenty of films to see between now and then. Let's see um!!!
