Good Will Hunting: Overcoming Fear 

Ben Afflecks speech near the end always brings tears to my eyes. Admitting to a dear friend that you're not what they need is one of the hardest things imo.

Just hearing the “it’s not your fault” a couple times is enough to bring tears to my eyes again. Such a good movie, so moving.

Will's reaction to being told it's not his fault is the perfect example of someone knowing something vs. believing it. Intellectually he knows that a victim of abuse is a victim but deep down inside he still blames himself and Sean has to use all his skills and love for Will to break through.

Someone said something to me last week that resonated so true to me and how I live in complete fear… “If you lock a horse in a paddock for 7 years, when you finally open the gate, they won’t leave because they think that the gate is still closed. He said my gate is open but for seven years I’ve felt like a prisoner in my mind and in my home.

I absolutely LOVE how it’s Chucky who finally gets through to him. My absolutely fav part of the movie because it’s so subtly important and says a lot about the impact your best friends can have.

Small note Will is a Janitor at M.I.T. not Harvard as evidenced by the crest on Dr. Lambeau's jacket and the fact that M.I.T. is renowned for its mathematics programs while Harvard is more renowned for is law and medicine programs. Otherwise this is an excellent video essay.

"Failure isn't about loosing. It's about not even risking trying." What an amazing analysis that has truly opened my eyes to even more, after seeing Goodwill Hunting. Thank you for this video essay.

RIP The two gentle souls, Rob and Elliot. The world will always miss you.

If you haven't experienced abandonment and/or abuse, the "it's not your fault" scene may not hit as deep. I had a marriage counselor do that exact thing after I shared my past, first time ever, in a private session with me. Hits hard, but in a good way. 💕☀️

“It’s not your fault” results in floods of tears no matter how many times I watch the film or watch this scene. One of the best ever films in my opinion. The trust and break through in such a short time, is testament to Will and Sean and the therapeutic relationship they embark on. Oh to have found that therapeutic person in my life.

The "it's not your fault" scene has to be one of the most beautiful and heartwarming movie scenes of all time

This is the first time I've ever heard the interpretation that Will's 12 brothers are foster siblings. I always assumed he was just having fun, showing that he could rattle off twelve random names, and then repeat them in the same order. Now I think it works either way you read it. Great video!

Will is not a night janitor at Harvard, he’s a janitor at MIT. The girlfriend is at Harvard. Harvard and MIT are just a few miles away from each other in Cambridge, MA.

Good Will Hunting is my all-time favorite movie and seeing this character study on Will about some things that I'm not yet aware of really made me want to watch it again!! Looking forward to more of your videos! Also loved the character study you did on The Godfather!

While the story about the World Series game and Will's decision to go to California were orchestrated in the script to show Will's character growth the line "I had to go see about a girl" was an ad lib by Robin Williams that Matt Damon knew would fit perfectly at the end. One of the things that makes Williams' movies so good is that he knows how to play characters that have been injured because he himself was that way and when the characters open up to us on screen we got little glimpses into the amazing man that was Robin Williams.

Concise insightful analysis of how childhood trauma if not dealt with can sabotage your life potential. Respect..

I have issues with fear too. So hearing this stings much more than it should.

This video actually moved me to tears, for some reasons more obvious than others

What a great movie. Often we are our worst enemy, without knowing it.

I was diagnosed with severe PTSD, my family loved to torture me, but cognitive behavioural therapy really helped. Confront your fears and you will get braver. People used to terrify me in general but I started forcing myself to be social and look people in the eye and now it's a lot easier.

Amazing analysis! Will was scared of love because he thought he was undeserving of it, and therefore defended himself from feeling it. But you gotta take the chance

Someone already said it. That your vids are a course in human behavior/psychology. Always been interested in ppl's motivations, strengths and weaknesses so I will now subscribe and continue your class. Thanks!! I'm 75 and always learning.

Something that is key in all this is attachment trauma. If people find out the truth they may take him from the people who love him, something that is much more terrifying than what he would get from "success". Without his friends and the safety of their routine he's back to the darkness of being a scared kid in the foster system with no one who loves him.

I know that feeling.. When people, women start getting to close to me, I begin running away.

Every one of us has this "It's not your fault" movement in life. Got instantly connected! 🤍

I have seen this masterpiece 20 times and I can quote it verbatim, yet you've managed to show me things I was unaware of, only amplifying what an amazing film this is. Thank you

That was spot on I think we’re all sort of going through what will went through in some way or another...

your videos should be in an art museum

This movie is easily one of the best movies I've ever seen such a powerful message behind it all.

I just watched this and it was so therapeutic. It made me realize all the fears that I’ve been going through my whole life and being stuck in those fears. Thank you for doing this.

Good Will Hunting has always been in my top 5 greatest films of all time lists. The writing is masterful. Such layered characters and life lessons to be witnessed in this film.

This is a extremely amazing way to break something down and it speaks to the volume of Robin Williams and how truly amazing of a actor he was

This had SO MANY more revealing details than any other evaluation I have watched. Specifying that safety and fear is a core to Will, emphasizing that Will is functionally no different from the guy in the bar, being afraid to leave his comfort zone to go with Skylar and lashing out at everything because all his options aren't the one he really wants.

That's scene " its not your fault" broke me down. I don't really know what im scared of but i am. I thought its just the last 3 years but when i sat and thought about it , i have been scared all my life always trying to be defensive , doing what would please other people (friends mostly) and so i haven't really done anything of my interest. Its been a really long time and i can't handle it anymore. This is affecting my relationship, career and everything else . I am a good guy , caring , loving and smart , I just cannot accept it . My chest feels heavy and my eyes feel soar , I just can't bear this pain anymore. Fear Fear Fear

I always wanted someone to tell me it was not my fault. at 42 I've said it to myself so many times but it never really stuck. i felt i had so much potential when younger (definitely not like the character Will) but i felt if i had more around me to grow maybe i could have been more. I try not to blame anyone or anything but at this point feeling it is over for me as all the best things and chances for me have pasted, so maybe i do inside.. it would have been so much if i had that guidance and someone saying to me that it was not my fault....

This film had an enormous personal impact on me when I saw it. My life was a complete mess, with a terrible family life, and, of course, I related to the trauma, anger and fear that Will displays. I remember taking the train really early the next morning to try to feel that experience again, but, of course, the context and feelings couldn't come from just nowhere.

OMG, I have watched GWH many times do to the fact that Matt Damon looked just like our deceased son. Wow the explanation of this is so good! Can apply to much of what we face in life. Thanks so much.

This is an incredible analyses of one of my favorite movies. Thank you.

The Cafe scene is just amazing. Matt Damon shutting that student up with his raw knowledge. So inspiring. ✌️👌👌

When I watch that movie and as I watched this video I realize the parallels of my own life. I also read the comments of people I’ve never met and most of all realized that I’ve never been alone and we share so much more in common than not. Amazing.

You have no idea how your video impacted my life for good. It was a sudden realization of my own fears and suddenly I knew what I have to do now, thank you very much from the bottom of my heart!! 🙏🏼

This film is amazing, it contains so much wisdom and maturity. A must watch for any young man.

I love this commentary so much. So insightful and highlights how brilliantly this was written and acted. God rest Robin Williams😢

When the 20 minute video about your favorite movie is somehow better than the movie itself. Brought me to tears. Thank you for this work.

this movie has such a positive message. i really get emocional remembering it.

Thank you so much for another fantastic video. I've always loved this film and your essay really bought out what transforms it from good to great.

The quality of your videos is top notch! Thank you for helping us live through this emotional arc again

Phenomenal video. Thanks for the hard work in putting it together.

Thank you Observer. I thoroughly enjoyed your observations, analyses, and insights of the Will character - it gave so much scope for thought, for reflection, for possible self understanding and liberation.

Amazing breakdown of character psychology here, really excellent work

Good Will Hunting was a good film but I always wondered why I identified with Will so much. I identified with the fear within the character. We all have fears that hold us back in some ways, emotionally I think. Even though from the outside it may not seem as if that is true.

Beautiful analysis on one of my all time favorite films. We can all learn from this story. Great video.

This was a brilliant, and beautiful breakdown, of a brilliant and beautiful film. Thank you for this. I love your channel, keep doing your thing bruv!

Absolutely love this. you really delve into the miniscule details (especially characters actions and reactions) and how they contribute to the big picture as it's an incredibly character driven yet simplistic film that is so easy to misunderstand. personally one of the few video essays i've seen about GWH that truly addressed the characters affecting the plot rather than vice versa (especially what Will does with his skills, rather than being subject to what they do to him). thank you so so much for sharing this, its nice to see such a humanistic analysis of such a complex film and you give a lot to think about.

You are nothing short of amazing, good sir. Your essays are beautifully written and so pull put together it would put channels several times your size to shame. Your psychological analyses, in particularly here and with your Breaking Bad videos, are spot on. You've also managed to place the video editing in sync/ harmony with your words. And about that... I just love listening to you speak! Keep it up!

This is by far the best analysis of Good Will Hunting I've ever heard. Thank you so much :)

Your analysis adds so much to my understanding of the movie. I'm gonna have to watch it again. Thank you.

This channel is truly gold.

beautiful work brother, you brought me to tears....i know these feelings all too well.

What an analysis! This can help each person to peek into their own hidden wounds and insecurities. Gonna watch it again to understand myself. ❤

What an utterly amazing analysis of an absolute masterpiece of a film!

I was very critical of your video and your points for the first 2 minutes but before I realized at the moment I started to appreciate this video, your points, and your entire style of analysis. Great job man. I could only dream of making a video this fine on a movie this great.

I don't know why this video was recommended to me, and I've never watched this movie, but I can't help but feel like this lines up so clearly with how I feel all the time. Thank you for such a beautiful explanation.

What an amazing wonderful analysis explanation. You have given even more meaning to this brilliant film. Far deeper than I realized. The Matt and Ben, the writers are gifted. Mind you, it took them and consultants 5 years to get it to screen, so I heard. It was well worth it and the Best film of the year and Williams are deserving. I learned a lot. Thank You.

This is such a beautiful assessment of, what is, a remarkable film. And your ability to interpret and convey what happens at each of these junctures in the film is amazing. Thank you

Extremely well written video analysis. One of my favorite movies, and your perspective opened up fresh new ways to view it. Thanks.

One of my favourite films EVER! Watch it every possible time, and any discussions and interviews of the actors. It's the first time I found your channel, and while most of your posts are on films or TV shows that are just too brutal or scary for me, there are some here which I'd like to learn about the backstory. I Appreciate your analysis, insight and presentation.

WOW. This was an amazing breakdown of a great movie. Thanks a lot and well done!

such a poweful character driven film. Phenomenal video keep up the great work

Brilliant analysis of the film and thank you for doing it 🙌🏻

You’re one of my favorite RU-vidrs man thank you so much for you insight and terrific videos!

That was the most beautiful movie summary I’ve ever witnessed. Thank you for you talent and for the dissection of such an important, healing work of art. With love and gratitude, Mia.

I probably watched Good Will Hunting over a hundred times and always thought it was amazing, however after your synopsis, I now see this movie as a masterpiece!

Amazing uploads, man. Please continue making them!

This is an amazing vidoe, each point is looked at thoroughly but not arduously. Picked up on things in the film that went over my head.

This is the analysis of the film I've been looking for, for years. It's a great film and I love psychological theory.

Man, what a beautiful video you made. I loved this.

It’s such a solid screenplay. This deep dive was really great!

Love this. Thank you for your observations. One of the best films and you nailed the interpretation.

Excellent analysis and well put together video

WOW..just,wow😢.This was and has been one of my favorite movies in my life,I studied the characters and fell in love with them all for different reasons but decades later...this,this perspective and explanation is profound to me.

This is my fav movie and it makes me cry every time I watch it. After watching this video I will cry even more. Great video

Thanks for this video. It's my favourite movie (I see a lot of myself in Will too, I imagine we all do) and I'm grateful for your perspective on Will's journey through the story. You've enhanced my appreciation of this great movie. A couple of things though, it's MIT, not Harvard. Another thing was when Sean says how much he benches, it's not to intimidate Will. Sean expresses an absurd number to tell Will he's not going to play this game, that he doesn't have to prove himself like that. That's why Will moves on to the painting. The whole film is a wonderful portrayal of trauma defense and how those of us who experience early life trauma then set up our lives to remain safe. What this film does impeccably is to show the healing power of love and connection, that change is possible with steadfast, intelligent and fierce love of elders.

Excellent! Love this film. I saw it in the theater when I was a kid. Great job with the analysis

Fabulous video! Please continue the great work.

Beautiful analysis of an amazing movie. Thank you.

Beautiful video I love the way you broke it all down

You have a real gift for analysis! I'd say you wrote excellent book reports in school 👌

one of my favorite movies of all time. thanks for your good observation. I wanna watch it again!

Yerrific analysis, almost brought me to tears ( too much of me in there) THANK YOU!

That was sooo good!! I love that movie, but never heard it broke down like that. Great job 👍👍

Great analysis!! Would love to see you do one of The Master by PTA as I think its rich in layers regarding the intimacy between the main characters and how unconditional/conditional characters are towards one another.

Man, this was on a totally different angle👏 I find myself in Will shoes and so it was difficult for me to grasp it all. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you 🤠

What an amazing essay, thank you so much.

As always, great work!

Brilliant take and analysis. Thank you

Thank you, your explanation of this script is amazing! I am studying acting late in life and realise how much there is to learn! Presently I am studying this Film with my Teacher. You have helped more than you can know! 🙏

Very good job on this overview of the film.

I somehow missed this video when it came out. But it popped up while I was thinking about the movie, after I read Minnie Driver's memoir (superbly written btw), the actress who played Skylar. "Good Will Hunting" is one of my all-time favourite movies. Both Will's and Skylar's characters are very well crafted and relatable, and the story is like a magnifying glass on people's fears and insecurities. I learnt about attachment styles a couple years ago and I just realised we can look at Will through that perspective as well. Attachment styles stem from the way our primary caregivers took care of us since we were infants. In Will's case, he was an orphan and he didn't experience the safe and loving environment or "cocoon" a parent can provide; even worse, he was subjected to aggression and abuse growing up. Usually people in Will's situation would grow up having a disorganised attachment style (also called fearful-avoidant), which means oscillating between symptoms of an anxious attachment style and being avoidant -- going from one extreme to the other. It's very difficult for someone in their situation to form a healthy relationship as they can't properly regulate their emotions and are very mistrustful of others. When I first saw the movie, I couldn't understand why he couldn't open up to people who genuinely cared about him -- like how can you not embrace true love when it's given to you on a silver platter?! But the attachment theory explains a lot! (I'm not a psychologist though, it's just how I read and understood things in my free time). I thoroughly enjoyed this video essay about the movie. It was very insightful! I liked the explanations on self-sabotage at 13:00 and the way the video was structured according to the therapy sessions. I think that, aside from the theme of the underdog genius, the movie stirs emotion and glues us in because we too self-sabotage and do many irrational things out of impulse and fear of rejection and failure.

Wonderful analysis and character breakdown, making obvious the necessary means of psychology, used in writing a ‘believable’ role that does only what s/he can do ‘by default’..