Good Will Hunting has garnered immense acclaim from audiences and critics alike for its emotional depth. Starring Matt Damon and Robin Williams, the film touched on the topic of mental health, earning Damon and Ben Affleck, an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.
However, one would be surprised to learn about one particular detail of the movie, which solidifies it as a cinematic masterpiece.
Matt Damon and Ben Affleck Created a Story About Therapy Without any Personal Experience
Matt Damon and Casey Affleck join PEOPLE in chatting about everything, including their film career. At one point, the former got candid about the making of Good Will Hunting (1997), which garnered critical and commercial acclaim for its themes.
Given that it was a passion project of the two young actors, creating something meaningful couldn’t be compromised. The idea of exploring themes of embarking on a self-discovery and healing journey won everyone’s hearts.
Still, many would be surprised to know that Damon and Ben Affleck had never experienced therapy themselves.
Reflecting on the ideation process behind the film, The Martian actor expressed that the young actors back then curated that portrayal by drawing inspiration from others’ stories.
When we wrote Good Will Hunting, we didn’t know anything about therapy, but the movie is very much about therapy and how much it can help people. I mean, we knew what we’d read, we knew stories we’d heard, but we were making it up mostly.
It is remarkable that the duo incorporated vulnerability and emotional expression to their best in the movie, without having any personal experience of therapy. Their ability to capture the nuances of an integral topic makes the movie experience iconic.
Matt Damon Reflected on His Acting Career After Good Will Hunting
Following the massive success of the 1997 movie, Damon found himself at the forefront of Hollywood, which was something that they never anticipated. However, this moment was filled with gratitude for the actor as he focused on building an impressive portfolio.
However, he was never alone as he shared the success with his long-term buddy, the Gone Girl actor. In the same interview, he told Casey Affleck,
I think also part of being an actor and putting yourself in those positions and getting rejected constantly, there’s a, you know, and then knowing that somebody else is living that same life and making those same sacrifices and putting up with that, and going through it too—that shared sense of experience in that career.
Following the 1997 movie, he starred in a wide range of films that showcased his versatility as an actor. From delivering another cinematic spectacle, Saving Private Ryan to critically acclaimed dramas like The Talented Mr. Ripley, he focused on projects that would help him grow as an artist.
I mean, right after Good Will Hunting came out, I worked non-stop, probably for three years. Literally, yeah. You take what comes, and I was just really lucky.
Apart from that acclaimed project, he was also offered Steven Spielberg’s war epic movie, which further established him as a talented actor. The movie grossed over $225.9 million worldwide, as per the Numbers.
Good Will Hunting is streaming on Prime Video.
