good will hunting

Throughout Good Will Hunting, the contrast between book-smarts and street-smarts is thoroughly explored. The scenes and characters often mirror or contrast one another, compelling us to reevaluate the nuanced definition of success for ourselves.

Early on when Lambeau asks Sean to counsel Will, the two professors have a discussion about the Indian mathematician Ramanujan who was brought to England after a Cambridge professor recognized his brilliance. Lambeau explains how Ramanujan discovered mathematical theories unparalleled to anything that had come before. Sean points out that after coming to England, Ramanujan contracted pneumonia and died at a young age—adding evidence to his argument that a meaningful life is defined by more than academic success.

Later on when Sean begins to counsel Will, the two professors meet at a local diner to discuss Will’s future. Lambeau believes that Will’s purpose is be a successful innovator, to be a mathematician and change the course of history through his gifted mind. Yet Sean believes that Will needs to filter through his own emotions and personal history to access his full potential. Through a simple discussion on Einstein’s successes and his much lesser known flaws,  we are again shown each character’s opposing points of view on the true definition of purpose and success.

LAMBEAU...Can you imagine if Einstein had given that up? Or gotten drunk with his buddies in Vienna every night? All of us would have lost something...

SEAN Isn't that a little dramatic, Gerry?

LAMBEAU No, Sean. This boy has that gift. He  just hasn't got the direction. We can give that to him.

SEAN He married his cousin.

LAMBEAU Who?

SEAN Einstein. Had two marriages, both trainwrecks.  The guy never saw his kids, one of whom, I think, ended up in an asylum.

LAMBEAU You see, Sean? That's exactly not the point. No one remembers that.

SEAN I do.

Throughout the entirety of the film, Lambeau maintains his perspective that all Will needs is a simple push in the right direction, while Sean immediately recognizes that he can only achieve this by himself, through self-acceptance and vulnerability.

Sean’s perspective is once again explored in Robin Williams’ infamous monologue.

“There’s nothing you can tell me that I can’t read somewhere else. Unless we talk about your life. But you don’t want to do that do you? You’re terrified of what you might say.”

To read something in a book and to experience something first hand are two completely different ways to learn about the world. Yes both are valuable, but to truly grow we must be willing to open ourselves up; to criticism, to love, to our own potential. When Will decides to leave his hometown and “go see about a girl” in California, he’s finally able to break down his own barriers and define success for himself.