Matt Damon and Ben Affleck wrote and starred in this unmissable, moving drama directed by Gus Van Sant. Damon plays Will, a wrong-side-of-the-tracks janitor at top college MIT, who has an exceptional mind and whose mathematical genius is discovered by one of the professors (Stellan Skarsgård) at the school. However, Will is an emotionally troubled young man, so a psychologist (Robin Williams) with problems of his own is brought in to help him. Skilfully directed and stunningly performed by Damon, Williams, Skarsgård, Affleck (as Will's best friend) and Minnie Driver (as Will's intellectual girlfriend), this is mesmerising from start to finish. It deservedly won Oscars for Damon and Affleck's screenplay as well as for Williams's subtle performance.

Will Hunting is a headstrong, working-class genius who is failing the lessons of life. After one too many run-ins with the law, Will's last chance is a psychology professor, who might be the only man who can reach him.