Good Will Hunting, directed by Gus Van Sant, is a masterpiece of a movie that discusses genius, self-identity, and mankind's condition. The film also showcases the veteran ability of Van Sant to infuse comple narratives with an air of intimate tenderness.

We follow the journey of Will Hunting (Matt Damon), a janitor in MIT with exceptional talents for mathematics. He is a genius, but, having grown up with some emotional trauma, Will's confidence starts eroding. Everything starts changing in his life after he meets Dr. Sean Maguire (Robin Williams), a warm-hearted therapist who opts to help Will face his past and realize his future. Damon's acting is solid and counterbalanced by Williams's presence, which is the emotional heart of the film. Williams had, in particular, created a delicate portrait of a man grieving for another, teaching others a way out.

Finding balance between nuance and sensitivity, the film gets to the crux of mental illness. It scrutinizes how previous trauma and hidden pain can mix to keep someone from gaining full access to his or her potential and self-destruct. At its core, Will's journey hints that it is okay to ask for help, find a comfort zone, and have the courage to turn down the wall that pain erects.

Matt Damon and Ben Affleck's Oscar-winning screenplay is filled with witty dialogues and keen realizations into human relationships. With sound that captures Danny Elfman's evocative score, Good Will Hunting hits this emotional resonance deep within viewers. All of this, put together with other stamps of Van Sant's direction, made the movie very relatable by leaving within every viewer a potent message that healing is a developmental journey of self-acceptance, joining the true essence of intended ability.