The human experience is complex and dynamic in nature, but we all know that. We know that its full of anomalies and inconsistencies that shape the way we think, feel and interact with others. In this essay I will analyze and reflect on the concepts of redemption and growth and how they are represented in the 1997 film ‘Good Will Hunting’. This film portrays redemption in a way that challenges the audience’s assumptions by shedding light on a new point of view, that being of the protagonist Will, who does not wish to redeem himself. The representation of growth allows viewers to realize it can happen unexpectedly and unprovoked. This is achieved by including flashbacks, strong language between characters and having a single camera angle for most of their scenes.
The film entails Will, a 20-year-old with a high IQ and lots of potential who has gone down the wrong path in life and is forced to attend therapy as a part of his probation terms. At first, the audience questions the main character as he makes poor choices and comes across obnoxious like when he starts a fight in a bar. As they further grasp the dynamics of this character, the audience understands why he is the way he is, and feel sympathetic and compassion as they truly want Will to get his life together. I’m sure we’ve all experienced similar contradictory emotions within our own lives.
Growth is portrayed throughout the film as we watch Will develop a friendship with his therapist, Sean. At the beginning we see Will’s defensiveness as he refuses to open up, to the extent that he sat in silence for his first two sessions. The composer has included strong language as the two argue that creates a despondent portrayal of Will’s character for the audience. For many of the therapy shots, there is one fixed camera that does not cut throughout each scene. This camera technique is effective in creating a candid atmosphere for the somewhat confronting scenes that lead to a more emotionally connected audience. By the end of the film, the fights between the two turn into honest conversations as Sean has managed to break down Wills defensive walls and create a beneficial relationship. We can finally see Will’s growth and redemption as he gains the motivation to turn his life around and live out his true potential.
‘Good Will Hunting’ lacks a linear plot structure and the film includes flashbacks as both Will and Sean reflect on their past experiences. Will describes events from his childhood that shaped him as a person. These flashbacks link his past to the importance of redemption for Will and the audience understands the paradoxical nature of Will’s high IQ yet engagement in such low social behavior. Can we all agree this development provides insight into not only the complexities of redemption but also the paradoxes within the human experience in general?
The moment that stood out to me the most while watching this film would be when Sean was talking to Will during one of their sessions. He had taken him down to a local park as an attempt to ease the tension created by an office. Sean talks to Will about past events from his own life in hopes Will opens up and embraces his true potential without arrogance. The composer has used imagery when Sean said, “I bet you can’t tell me what the Sistine Chapel smells like”. This quote allows Will to understand that he may have a lot of knowledge but lacks experience. It also changes the relationship between the two as Will realizes he is naive compared to Sean, as Sean has lived a long-fulfilled life. Another example of the impact of human experience is when Sean says, “You’ve never held your best friend’s head in your lap, and watched him gasp his last breath looking to you for help”. This tone creates an emotional response from the audience and Will further comprehends that other people are also complex beings. Acknowledging this as well as his newfound respect for Sean demonstrates growth and is the first step towards progress for both of them.
I think we can all agree that this film has represented growth from an alternate perspective that has helped challenge our perception of the human experience and broaden our understanding of this by establishing a narrative in which Will does not wish to change his ways and makes self-redemption difficult. This experience can be related to the world around us, for example when going through a breakup, whether it’s welcome or not, it is evident you will grow as a person, or maybe you got a bad grade on an English speech, you always have a chance to redeem yourself.
The unity of these textual features has presented an idea about growth and redemption that has challenged and broadened our understanding of the human experience. Using strong language and camera angles presents the idea of arrogance on Will’s part to better himself. The use of flashbacks and imagery alongside emotive language allows the audience to understand how this arrogance toward growth develops into acceptance and in turn, represents the human experience.