Film, much like literary works, is a medium in which composers can represent various aspects of human life. Through the exploration of human behavior in response to painful situations, Gus Van Sant’s ‘Good Will Hunting’ creates a profound illustration of the idea that many wounded humans believe that stepping outside of their comfort zone will lead to further emotional pain. Various film techniques, combined with a heartwarming screenplay, creates a dynamic interaction of technical tools that evoke emotion and invite responders to broaden their understanding of the complexities of this difficult human experience.
The way in which humans view and perceive the world around them is strongly influenced by their values, past experiences and beliefs. The protagonist, Will Hunting, has a preconceived notion that every relationship he desires to pursue is ultimately destined to fail because he has been neglected for most of his life. His fear of abandonment is a fundamental barrier which prevents him from developing meaningful and lasting connections with the people around him. The park bench scene in the film is one of the very first scenes in which Will begins to gain some disclosure. The scene begins with an extreme long shot which opens with Will and Sean sitting together at a park bench by a quiet lake. This shot establishes the characters within their surroundings and the quiet, still water along with the beauty of nature invokes a calm and peaceful atmosphere and foreshadows the tone of their upcoming conversation. The medium close-up of Sean shows at first he is listening to Will’s questions, though not revealing any distinct reaction. Throughout the scene, Sean attempts to break through to Will by using his personal experiences, as well as allusions to art and poetry to guide Will into comprehending the difference between knowledge and intellect. The dominant colors are warm, indicating that Will feels somewhat content with his surroundings. Although initially the camera displays a close up of Sean, it slowly pans out as the conversation persists to include Will in the shot. Not only is this cinematic technique visually effective, it is also extremely symbolic. Sean’s authentic character initiates a positive transformation of Will’s perspective on life. This change in perspective is what later on reinforces Will’s concept of trust and unconditional love and promotes Will into developing a desire to overcome his lingering sentiments of past trauma.
Save your time!
We can take care of your essay
- Proper editing and formatting
- Free revision, title page, and bibliography
- Flexible prices and money-back guarantee
Human character, expressed emotions, strivings and beliefs emerge from a conflict between assertive, thrill-seeking impulses and social restraints against these expressions. This ongoing conflict between expression and regression, drives the development of human character. Understanding an individual means understanding the defense mechanisms their subconscious has chosen in order to help them function in a world that is otherwise out of their control. Will showed consistent defensiveness throughout his first few therapy sessions because he was afraid of being vulnerable. His misguided fears depict how personal isolation and emotional damage can torment us. However, over the course of the film, Will realizes that unlike his previous psychologists, Sean has his best interests at heart. The emotional intensity of Will and Sean’s relationship is exemplified in the scene where Sean reassures Will that the unfathomable abuse and abandonment he endured as a child is none of his fault. The scene begins with Will walking in on an argument between Sean and long-time friend and rival, Professor Lambeau. He instinctively senses that they are in fact arguing about him. As soon as Sean realizes that Will has partially witnessed their argument, he protectively assures Will, “That stuff goes back a long way, between me and him”, which indicates that he was already determined to show Will that he is not to blame for the antagonism upon which he had stumbled. The mise-en-scene that follows further displays the growing volatility that must accompany any psychological breakthrough. Sean holds a folder containing Will’s file in which there are multiple close up and medium shots of a child’s horribly beaten and bruised body, revealing the extent of Wills childhood abuse. Sean reveals that he was also a victim of domestic abuse as a child which prematurely exerted him from his childhood world of innocence. Sean’s transparency with Will in this moment is what helps break down his final defenses. Stepping towards Will and the anaphora of “It’s not your fault” captures his understanding of Will’s confusion and fear. Sean’s desperation to reach out to Will in this scene acts as a catalyst to Will’s realization that the only way he can truly overcome his fear of abandonment and rejection is by embracing uncertainty and stepping into a situation he cannot predict or control.
As humans, we naturally respond to painful situations by being inherently afraid. Whether it is a fear of failure, a fear of society’s perception of us, a fear of being alone, fear of change or simply a fear of the unknown: we are all, to some degree, afraid of stepping outside our comfort zones. However, through the portrayal of Will’s emotional connection with Sean, Van Sant provides a memorable representation of one of the fundamental truths of being human - that without taking risks, an individual can never attain the unexpected rewards that often await them as they overcome challenges in their journey.
Stuck on your essay?
