Adolescent Development in Good Will Hunting, Movie Review Example

What is the theme of the film/book and to what extent does it involve an illustration of issues related to adolescence?

The main theme depicted in this novel is psychotherapy with expansions through social development and personality. It is well produced in the portrayal of the characters struggle to identify his position in the world in an attempt to discover his true self. In the modern world, psychology is becoming a dominant point of focus with a social acceptance for its criticism. In psychology, human identity pertain a lot of criticism.

In this blockbuster movie, the main character is Will, an adolescent orphan from South Boston, struggling to find his way through the talents he possesses. His natural genius attributes are not satisfactory explanations of him. He takes his orphan background and dramas of his external world, to identify who he is. It does not take Will a lot of time to identify his talent; however, Will determines to take a low profile as before his identification of self. The main character in the movie just like many adolescents develops a relationship with his peers Skylar and Sean (Maynard, K 1997).

Does the film portray notable changes in any dimension of adolescent development (such as in physical development, emotional functioning, relationships with peers, parents, and teachers, and in self, spiritual, and/or cognitive functioning)?

There is so much influence in his life coming from the guidance of the two making significant proof on the struggles and existence of identity theories built up within the movie. Some other notable change that clearly shows in the movie is the defiant nature of Will. He is not able to assume his genius capabilities and stays attached to an old lifestyle. He recognizes the fact that he is an intellect, although he is not in favor of getting into the lime light of his professors, as a sign that he is not yet fully actualized in his self, as a worthy individual of the deeds. He even challenges the relevance of mathematical lessons and therapy sessions (Maynard, K 1997).

Relationship-wise, the movie takes will into different social peer angles and influences with his friends trying to sway his character from different ends. This stereotype character of nightlife is the most comfortable for the adolescents as it stops them from taking into real angles that their lives ought to follow. The movie designs Sean who is the final psychologist to Will as the mentor. He encourages him to make better use of his talent to please his friends and act as inspiration to less fortunate kids. This is a process that leads Will into an identity discovery saving him from the bondage of identity crisis; he in turn has new developments in his political, religious views, and improves his moral standards and has a whole positive effect on his future dealings (Damon & Affleck, 1997).

Who of the major characters in the film/book is/are negotiating Erikson’s stage of identity vs. identity diffusion?

Erikson’s stage of identity vs. identity diffusion is well negotiated by Will and Sean the psychiatrist in the movie Good will Hunter. It is clearly depicted how attached to the past Will is. This goes well with some of his friends but is not a pleasant thing for Sean to witness. It therefore, takes the intervention of Sean to help Will to get past his inclination to the influences of the past, and a new turn for his future. Will showcases a lot of sarcasm that Sean has to bear with on many occasions throughout the movie. Sean is most interested in Seeing Will changing his attitude, and gaining a more explicit moral standard that he makes sure Will’s defense mechanisms are all crippled. He decides to have Wills attitude towards women overpowered by a strong encouragement to his friend to start a relationship with Skylar, a student from Harvard (Maynard, K 1997).

In what ways, in what respects, and with what degree of success and /or upheaval, does each one negotiate this stage?

Will is so defiant in most parts of the movie feeling like a loser because of his abused childhood. The revelation from Sean as an abused child is a shock to his present behavior and changes his attitude totally. There comes a significant change in Will, and Sean feels so proud of the person revealed in his patient. He realizes how positively he has influenced the life of Will and believes that he has eventually become better placed for a real future without pretence. It is through the relationship between Skylar and Will that Sean is also able to deal with a serious commitment crisis in him. The eventual decision to for taking Skylar out to the dog track helps Will to deal with foreclosure as an identity status (Kong, S 1997).

He disregards all his past relationships with other women, but problems come up with Skylar’s invitation to the graduation ceremony in California. This leads to a breakup between the two and Will ends up in a wild search of the true meaning of life without her. Meanwhile, Chuck offers mutual and financial support and even buys Will a car to be taking him to work. This becomes a point of realization for Will, and he strives to make better use of his talent to succeed, in life in a state of identity status of diffusion. He finally gets to the achievement of the identity status, leaves Boston for California, and reunites with Skylar.

In an attempt to prove the four identity statuses suggested by Erik Erikson about the self discovery theories, the relationship between Will and Skylar took four cardinal turns from their meet up as a point of moratorium, dating as foreclosure, break up depicting diffusion and final reunion as point of achievement. Identity crisis of moral standards and future work tackled with the help of Sean, and Will can finally present his genius and commit to a life with Skylar (Kong, S 1997).

What role is played in the lives of this individual/these individuals and in their quest for identity by each of the following?

Culture/subculture

Will cannot go beyond his past for a long time. He hides in the comforts of night life, and takes it as the only source of fun till he meets people like Sean, with different views of life and manages to take a new direction for the future.

Parents

Will holds on to the effects of his abused childhood refusing to portray his real self for a frightfully long time. As a child, he suffered physically and emotionally in the hands of foster parents, and this makes him distrust a lot.

Education

In the quest for identity, Will’s education suffers from his criticism of the educational system. He is not able to exploit his full potential, and that hampers his display of genius in him making it unnoticed by professors at the university. Will is not able to enjoy a literary lifestyle and opts to take to educational interests behind closed doors.

Teachers

Will is not willing to listen to professors at the university. He remains as a rebel in the university without any accordance of due credit to his performance, since no one ever knew what his real capabilities were, and even after the revelation, he remains adamant knowing that his capabilities intimidated even the professors.

Peers

Will is a silent star among his peers. He is part of a crowd that accepts him as he is, and influences his character in different, positive and negative manners. There are those who let him flow with the crowd, synchronizing him into the comforts of his past life experiences, while others like chuck, are more inclined to seeing him succeed in life.

References

Damon, M., & Affleck, B., (1997).  Good Will Hunting. In Matt, D, Ben, A. & Robin Williams.

Kong, S. (1997). Good will hunting. Boiledmovies.

Maynard, K. (1997). Good will hunting. Mr Showbiz.