My girlfriend and I were watching an episode of Project Runway recently, and as the credits rolled, there was Harvey Weinstein’s name. “I think when people look back at the film, it’s hard not to think about Harvey Weinstein, even if he was behind the scenes instead of in front of the camera. ‘Boston Strong’ came around well after Good Will Hunting came out, but I think it captures that same feeling, in a way. But when you look at Good Will Hunting, it gives people that feeling of hometown pride. The Departed is very violent, and highlights some of the clichés associated with the city. If you’re talking a list of the most Boston movies ever, Good Will Hunting is number one or number two along with The Departed for most people. “I think Good Will Hunting has a more romantic view of the city than those other Boston crime movies. Matt Damon, Robin Williams, and Ben Affleck pose with their Oscars for ‘Good Will Hunting.’ Matt Juulįeatures/entertainment editor for Metro Boston Without Good Will Hunting, would The Departed or Mystic River have been what they are? Would SNL sketches like Jimmy Fallon and Rachel Dratch’s Boston Teens or Casey Affleck’s Dunkin’ Donuts commercial parody exist? The lives of average Bostonians were also affected by the film, as their hometown’s identity was shaped by Hollywood’s sudden fascination with Southie - or, at least, a very specific version of Southie. The film also resurfaced in recent months due to a torrent of sexual harassment and assault accusations against its executive producer, Harvey Weinstein, as well as the alleged sexual misconduct of both Ben and Casey Affleck. Casey Affleck, a supporting player in the film and Affleck’s younger brother, is an Oscar winner. Affleck and Damon, who were 25 and 27, respectively, when the film came out, are bonafide A-list stars who have built sustainable careers and now have families. In the 20 years since, a lot has changed.

The film went on to be nominated for nine Academy Awards and won two: Best Supporting Actor for the late actor Robin Williams and Best Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen for Affleck and Damon. Twenty years ago Tuesday, Good Will Hunting, a film written by and starring two relatively unknown actors named Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, hit theaters in New York City and Los Angeles before it expanded nationwide on Jan.

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