(1997)
4
Rebecca Flint Marx
Featuring a script by obscure actors Matt Damon and Ben Affleck and direction by Gus Van Sant, previously a director who avoided the mainstream, Good Will Hunting beat all odds to become a huge success. Powered by Miramax's marketing muscle, its real life rags-to-riches story mirrored the fortunes of titular, troubled math genius Will Hunting. The story is fairly conventional: equal parts love story, coming-of-age struggle, ode to friendship, and therapy session, the film didn't so much break new ground as till well-trod property. But its assured direction, strong production values, and heartfelt lead performances helped make it an out-of-nowhere success, propelled by the attractive synergy between its real story and its fictional story. In addition to raking in millions at the box office, it gave Robin Williams his first Oscar and won Best Original Screenplay for Damon and Affleck. The toast of Hollywood in the aftermath of their triumph, they had no trouble finding the sort of quality roles that had seemed so out of reach when they wrote their screenplay. Where many movies seem to speak from their wallets, here was one that spoke from the heart.
awards for Good Will Hunting on AllMovie
Good Will Hunting (1997)
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
|
Nominated |
Best Actor
|
1997 |
|
Nominated |
Best Director
|
1997 |
|
Nominated |
Best Dramatic Score
|
1997 |
|
Nominated |
Best Editing
|
1997 |
|
Won |
Best Original Screenplay
|
1997 |
|
Nominated |
Best Picture
|
1997 |
|
Nominated |
Best Song
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1997 |
|
Won |
Best Supporting Actor
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1997 |
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Nominated |
Best Supporting Actress
|
1997 |
Berlin International Film Festival
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Won |
Silver Bear for Outstanding Individual Performance
|
1998 |
Broadcast Film Critics Association
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Won |
Best Original Screenplay
|
1997 |
|
Won |
Breakthrough Performer
|
1997 |
Directors Guild of America
|
Nominated |
Best Director
|
1997 |
Hollywood Foreign Press Association
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Nominated |
Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy
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1997 |
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Nominated |
Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture
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1997 |
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Nominated |
Best Picture - Drama
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1997 |
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Won |
Best Screenplay
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1997 |
National Board of Review
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Nominated |
Best Picture
|
1997 |
|
Won |
Special Achievement
|
1997 |
Screen Actors Guild
|
Nominated |
Best Actor
|
1997 |
|
Nominated |
Best Ensemble Acting
|
1997 |
|
Won |
Best Supporting Actor
|
1997 |
|
Nominated |
Best Supporting Actress
|
1997 |
