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Plot summary
Will Hunting, a troubled 20-year-old on parole, anonymously solves a complex graduate-level math problem at MIT. Professor Gerald Lambeau (Stellan Skarsgård) discovers Will's brilliant mind and offers leniency for his latest arrest under two conditions. Will must work on advanced mathematics with Lambeau and attend therapy sessions.
After scaring off several therapists, Will is connected with Dr. Sean Maguire (Robin Williams), an old college friend of Lambeau's. Sean is a compassionate therapist who challenges Will's emotional defense mechanisms. The two slowly develop a bond built on trust and mutual honesty.
As Will begins to open up about his abusive childhood, he also starts a relationship with Skylar (Minnie Driver), a Harvard student. However, his fear of abandonment leads him to sabotage both his romantic relationship and his academic progress. In a pivotal scene, Sean pushes Will to acknowledge that his trauma was "not your fault," leading to an emotional breakthrough.
Inspired by Sean's guidance and a heartfelt challenge from his best friend, Chuckie (Ben Affleck), Will decides to stop running from his potential. He declines high-paying job offers and leaves a note for Sean, echoing Sean's own words: "I had to go see about a girl". The film ends with Will driving toward a new beginning with Skylar.
Key themes
Healing from trauma: The film emphasizes healing from childhood abuse and facing emotional pain, rather than escaping it.
Unlocking potential: The film explores what it means to live up to one's potential, contrasting intellectual genius with emotional intelligence and lived experience.
The power of human connection: The film highlights the transformative power of empathy and trust, particularly in the therapeutic relationship between Will and Sean and the friendships that push Will to grow.
Class and identity: The film examines how class background and a working-class identity can shape a person's life and ambitions, exploring Will's internal conflict between loyalty to his roots and pursuing a life of intellectual privilege.
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