Good Will Hunting

Starring: Matt Damon, Robin Williams, Ben Affleck, Minnie Driver, Stellan Skarsgard
Directed by: Gus Van Sant
Released: Miramax Films, 1997

This Gus Van Sant film is the textbook definition of a feel-good movie, so it doesn't get any style points. But it's really, really endearing, and anyone who has a bad word to say against it was probably the child of two arrogant film students-turned-marketing majors. This is as friendly a film as they come, featuring the benevolent Robin Williams as a bearded shrink charged with the title's prodigy (played by the ineffable Matt Damon). The two go through a number of bonding sequences which are admittedly somewhat corny, but the real highlight is the script written by Damon and buddy Ben Affleck. Full of wit, humor, and a subtle insight on life, it's as deserving a rag as they come, and a true gem among big budget studio flicks this year (although that's usually always the case with Miramax's marquee releases). Co-starring Minnie Driver, Ben Affleck, and Stellan Skarsgard.