I heard somewhere that Robin Williams adlibbed the story of his wife farting. The script had a different story. The shot of Mat Damen laughing was completely genuine as the whole crew were laughing at Robin's story. I guess you really can't stop Robin William's humour coming through, even in dramas.

A minor point missed at 16:04 is Will's smile disappearing from his face when he realizes that Sean's wife is dead. This was a resonant moment in the film, because it demonstrates that Will is showing some remorse for antagonizing him in the first session, evidence that a bond is forging between the two. He also has a better understanding of Sean's violent outburst, and probably recognizes that Sean is also no stranger to deep emotional pain, so he's beginning to identify with him on a personal level.

I think “times up” is also funny because it brings back what will said after being choked during the first meeting.

I thought the meaning of the 'time's up' moment was that Will actually wanted to stay and keep talking - as shown clearly by his facial expression. This is a big moment, because it shows that he's shifted emotionally - he now wants the sessions, rather than the reverse.

Has nothing to do with the video, but damn I miss Robin Williams, what a phenomenal human and actor.

How did two actors write this? Seriously, this shows an immense understanding of social and psychological behaviours, written by two people with little to no formal training on the subject. Phenomenal

You keep talking about the importance of sticking to the time, reminded me of my last counselor. I came in at our new time, she said she had lunch meetings and had to move me back to the end of the day, and noticed the clock was missing, she said the battery died and she took it down to not confuse people. We started talking and moved onto heavier topics and went on for a while. It took me about 3 weeks to notice that she had changed things to 2-hour sessions and was spending an hour unpaid with me. She was getting ready to transfer and was chasing down a hunch. She was able to figure out I had a severe hormonal disorder that my 6 other therapists didn't think to look into

Also when Sean says "time's up", this is mirroring Will saying "time's up" at the end of their first session.

I feel like the very sarcastic, joking nature of these sessions is partly inspired by the fact they are both from Southie in boston. The culture of the area, especially at the time, was not so much abrasive or antagonistic but more of very thick skin. It was expected that people could take a bit of teasing or being screwed with slightly without getting heated. I think that them being as aggressive as they are with the jokes is them kind of sizing each other up to see if they really live up to this kind of cultural standard. This is also in direct opposition to the rest of boston which, as the movie so effectively points out, was very snobby and elitist with egos so inflated they were less able to handle some sharper humor. I secretly think that this is where the stereotype of Boston being a very hostile and unwelcoming city, because this tradition of fairly targeted jokes is quite alien to most people. But ultimately its functions kind of like wood to a rodent, sure it wears down the teeth of a rodent the more a rodent chews on it but the rodent needs it to or else its teeth will grow through its jaw.

I'm in love with the fact that an academic, precise psychoanalysis of a one of my favorite movies can have Controlla by Drake playing in the background.

It seems to me that when Will says that line, "I have been laid, ya know. Big time" He's calling back to the first session where Will challenged Sean and asked him if he lifts weights, to which Sean replied "big time"

I think in the movie, he isn't just a councilor, he's a better version of a step dad. He's filling more than one gap.

I think when Will makes his "Superphilosphy"-line about Sean, Sean realizes that he himself is indeed also living by Will's philosophy (that Sean just questioned) and feels caught. Later in the movie there is a scene that shows that Sean decided to change his behavior by going on his trip - probably because of this comment. When Will is leaving the room it also looks like Sean is reflecting further on it. "Time's up" is probably Sean's way to regain the upper hand in the interaction after this weak moment.

"You're not perfect, sport. This girl you met? She isn't perfect either. But the question is: whether you're perfect for each other."

When it comes to Sean telling Will about his wife's imperfections, I don't see that as Sean telling Will how to live his life. I think it's giving Will a look at Sean the person, and "his" thoughts. Not to challenge him, but simply to show him how he thinks about this issue, because Sean obviously loves his wife dearly... Just how I see it.

This is brilliant because you are essentially analyzing what I already understood while watching the movie, but didn't quite have the correct words to describe it.

What comes across to me is the brilliant acting of Matt Damon and Robin Williams. I am grateful however for this tutoring as a parent.

I love the brains in the decision to go right from getting to the point, (his drive to not want people to see his imperfections), back to jokes, to keep him from getting defensive again and also to maintain the joking bond between them. Then he caps it off by it being an anecdote that touches the core issue within, without it feeling preachy, confrontational, or too technical.

On some random night in the year 2020, you connected with a middle-aged Canadian mourning his father. Well done.

Finally back with episode 3! I can't exactly remember what I was planning to leave in the comments but, as an extra explanation as to why it can be bad for the counsellor to show too much of themselves/open up a load: 1) Like I said in the video, the more you open up, the less space that is for the client. The point is, you're trying to tease out a lot of the deeper, unconscious thoughts, and if the client feels like he can just sit there waiting for you speak, those sort of thought may not come to the surface as easily as if you kept silent and left a pause. 2) If you reveal too much of yourself it affects 'the transference'. Put simply, remember how I was saying that we often cast people in particular roles? Will sees people like authority figures to fight back against, or laddish mates? Well if the counsellor doesn't reveal too much of himself, this makes it easier to see the sort of roles the client tries to cast him in. If, for example, you had a client who expects everything you say to be really punitive, and expects that you'll hate him or is kind of people-pleasing out of the worry you'll get fed up with him...that would be interesting to see. That's something to work with, why does the client expect that? If however, you were making effort to show how nice and kind you can be, you may never notice the client expects this punitive side from people. To some extent, counsellors need to be a mirror to reflect all the expectations and assumptions of the client and all the roles they try to cast you in. You don't want to play those roles but you want to be able to see them and to understand what they're all about. Of course it goes deeper than just these clear roles, but that's a simple example. 3) Sometimes you don't want to know about your counsellor because the less distant they become, sometimes the less contained things feel, the more you start to worry about how they react to the stuff you say, what they think about you, if other people will find out. Going to see a counsellor often feels safe because it's a bit like stepping into a completely different world for 50 minutes: you go to this hidden space, open up about a lot of stuff, then can leave it behind again. It doesn't muddy in with the rest of your life. The more you know about your counsellor and discover about their life can affect that. 4) It could just plain annoy the client. I used to have a counsellor when I was at uni who used to talk about herself quite a bit, which made me less nervous to begin with but, after several sessions, it kind of annoyed me because this was supposed to me by time. "Does she not find me interesting enough to fill it?" 5) This one's truer with younger kids but it still rings true. Sometimes they get jealous when they find out about your life outside counselling. Kids with abandonment issues may find it particularly difficult if they discover you have kids of your own. It may make them fear they're not important enough: "when he goes home, he probably forgets all about me, he probably much prefers his own kids, he probably can't wait to get rid of me" sort of thing. That's one example but there'll be other stuff anybody might find difficult to find out about this person who's supposed to be 100% there for them. Patreon link - www.patreon.com/mylittlethoughttree

Dude, for as much as I have been bored with youtube lately, a four part series of substantive analysis my favorite movie is a god send. Its also really relavent for me because I have just started going to therapy for the first time and I feel like I am learning little bits and pieces about myself too. Thanks a bunch for the content!

I never had luck with therapy. At one point was struggling with depression and had two separate therapists. The first one was a struggle to open up to I could never figure out how to express stuff so he decided to go straight to elementary stuff(this is sadness/this is anger/etc.). After that I had a hard time dealing with him because he went straight to stuff your typical 5 year old knows. How could I have known he wouldn't reduce some other aspect to less than a child? The other one I had 3 sessions with and at the end of the last one he said "don't come back until you have something of value to say". So I just didn't. Thankfully, I had a turnaround at work and focused on spending more time with friends and got myself out of it.

I went to therapy for about a year and a half, and the sessions, and the few hours after a session, were some of the most emotionally hard hours I willingly put myself through. Therapy is hard work. They never tell you that until you're there.

I think "Time's up" served another function. Sean signalled to Will that he hit a spot. That he might have gone a bit too far. This could definitely cause the rift between him and Sean to widen again, but i think it solidifies their relationship. Will is not out to hurt Sean anymore. Feeling bad for hurting him also is a big and important step for Will.

I really feel like Sean didnt really fall asleep it was a joke you would do with kids. Almost testing a conversation to start

Would love to hear your thoughts on the It’s “not your fault “ scene

What do you think about Whiplash and its themes of vulnerability vs perfection? There, the perfection actually wins

When I was in therapy my counsellor would give me a 10 minute warning to wrap things up with what I was currently talking about. Then she would ask how I felt about the session in general and I would talk a bit more generally as I gathered my things (sometimes I would bring my journal to remind myself about specific things I wanted to bring up, as a way of stopping my knee-jerk "I'm fine" response)

I feel "time's up" is also a playful way of Sean saying... "Ok, you win this round. You've turned my own advice against me. And I'm ok with that..."

Sean needed his own advice mirrored back to him, and Will knew that. So I don't think Will was just trying to put Sean in check, I think he was also trying to help him.

I saw a counselor after my marriage dissolved. I had just needed someone to talk to more or less, and my work coverage provided a number of free sessions at the place of my choosing. I still remember, calling in to schedule another session and being told that my coverage had run out and further visits would be at my cost. I know it's a job, and counsellors need to be paid and have hours of operation just like other businesses... but at that moment it really did feel like all they had cared about was the money. I never went back. In my opinion, this field of practice should be treated like child care is treated like in France. If you are having a tough time with things as a new parent, you can get a govt worker to come and assist you with things around the home to free up your time to allow you to focus on your kids. I dont understand how counseling and therapeutic services are not a govt supplied service. Ensure a populace has access to mental health services without the stigma of 'they are only in it for the money' makes it more personal and would have definately helped me at a time where I just needed an ear without feeling like I'm 'on the clock'.

"Tmes up" by Sean was alluding to the "Times up" by Will in the first session. Sean was both admitting he was wounded by Will's comment and cutting the session off at the attacking moment to end the combat. A check mate, also alluding to the chess metaphor by Sean on the bench when he said "you're move sport".

Christ this movie makes me miss Robon Williams so damn much... the man just exudes an aura of happy warm feelings...

11:37: I love your response to this scene and your interpretation. No matter how smart your audience is, brevity is still the soul of wit, and the soul of heart-changing rhetoric. I definitely want to learn to apply this to my communication with others, and hope more people will want to learn to do the same.

this is brilliant, really appreciate your insights on what a counsellors role is also!

Perfect timing, finished your last video on GWH today. Honestly, thanks for these, I've always adored these scenes and they're so worthy of such careful analysis. The topic of closeness between counsellor and patient have always confused me somewhat so appreciate your thoughts in the below comment. These videos are gems!

I always like watching your videos every now and a then, they are always so interesting and insightful. I like listening to how you view the world.

Wow. I never realized how brilliant and how much thought went into this script. Bravo

The algorithm has blessed me today by showing me your channel. I thoroughly enjoyed your analysis and can’t wait til I have some free time to binge your content. Thank you for making this my friend.

This just makes me miss Robin Williams.

Listening to these videos really tell me how my therapist helped me more than I knew :)

I was so confused by the fact that the third episode in this series was posted six months earlier until I remembered what you'd said about reposting them and I guess that took longer than I had for some reason assumed. Great video though, I'm in love with this series and can't wait to check out your other uploads.

The dialogue in this film is killer. Thanks for helping me appreciate it all the more with your analysis!

I very much enjoy these videos as someone who has been to therapy and probably still could use it, as well as a university student in psychology. On a completely unrelated note, we all know what became of Robin Williams. Seeing him laugh so genuinely here or doing comedy on stage, it's very touching. I know what film I will watch next. Thank you.

Such a juicy video. Thank you for the video and analysis! I learned a thing or two I think I can apply to my own life.

This is the second video. I’m a new subscriber. It’s so helpful to hear this. I wish I could ask questions but this is public. I just have questions about therapy. You give so many good clues about what’s appropriate and what’s helpful and what’s not. I need to hear about this. I never heard anyone talk like this before. I don’t know why no one else ever explains these things.

Once again fantastic! I enjoy all your voice over work, i can tell when you are smiling and when you are serious Beautiful use of video and editing well done!

I've enjoyed these, it is one of my favourite movies. its good to see how its interpreted by others and how well the script is, because it is just a movie, an important one for many reasons, not least of which the two of them who wrote it and produced it as their first movie, how much effort and realism they put into the down to earth feel of it, not perfect much like their understanding of the characters played out. its good to see this for others who may not be aware and to give deeper insight into what therapy and counseling is from an inside perspective of the reason for it! well Done!

Times up also awakens Will to the fact that this is not a friendship...that they are here to look at Will and not Sean

i don’t know if i’m too late but i’d love an analysis of the argument between Sean and the professor in the “it’s not your fault scene” 😩. i feel the greatest movies often act as a mirror and their argument really struck a cord with me. idk if people have been saying thank you but i just wan say thank u for giving me a place to learn and feel at home yk. it’s not everyday u come across people who want an elaborate analysis on something as minute as a moments pause in conversation. where the lines are dissected as well as in between. thank u. you’re doing great work. love

Sean said "Time's up" as a callback to Will's previous attitude that the time in his office was unimportant. It's a jab to prompt Will to realise that he has actually enjoyed this session. Will is a tough kid, with intellectual superpowers that had meant no one could surprise him before. In his eyes, all the past counsellors were pushovers, people society deems authoritative but Will can see that they are actually unimpressive. The fact he could compromise them in a matter of minutes meant they were unworthy of his respect. I think Will respected Sean for not only sticking through the bullshit, but for breaking his expectations and explaining to him something he did not even know he did not understand.

I heard that the little anecdote about Sean's wife farting in her sleep was completely ad libbed by Williams, and Will's laughter was a genuine reaction by Damon. I don't know if that adds or subtracts from your analysis though (I have no professional experience with counseling).

These are really enjoyable videos. My favorite movie and you’ve put words to a lot of reasons why I feel that way. Thank you

You're very good at presenting sir. I feel like I'm following along and also entertained. Also very good recap

I think it's lovely that Sean shares personal stuff, and that they share jokes together. It builds a trust with an authority figure that Will has never had, and Sean shows him that it is possible and they they aren't all the same.

These videos are like candy to me. Your commentary is from the perspective of psychology, but you are actually delving into deeply philosophical topics about human meaning and ethics. It helps that this movie is also a masterpiece. Going to go watch part 4 now!

Thank you! Just what I needed to hear at this time in my life in history and America

i think he says a lot of the stuff you probably wouldn't have said because he's trying to get will to see him as a father figure. that's why he calls him sport and later when forcing him to face his trauma, calls him "son". he gives him a lot of dad like answers. these date convos are convos you have with your dad. the way he came down on will at the park bench is the type of telling all about yourself you'd get from a non-toxic, healthy father.

Thank God I found part 3 ,the fact its 7 months ago and the others are recent threw me off but I really would've been upset if i had to skip to 4 ,thank you for uploading these...I needed it

Damn good content! It’s interesting to get an insight into why I love this movie so much. I never stopped and asked myself what’s resonating so much with me in it but now I can understand. The interaction between Will and Sean is so sincere and I can absolutely buy everything they say and do. Adding to this are all those subtle acting choices of Matt daemon and Robbin Williams. So thank you for giving someone with no knowledge on Psychotheraphie this analysis.

I'm quite liking this channel, just subscribed. I haven't seen Good Will Hunting but I have seen many councillors over the years and have found them mostly very helpful. I agree that there are unique qualities to each one as everybody is different and if it works and helps that is a great thing. I'm looking forward to checking out your other videos, thanks for your positivity, please keep up the good work!

I really enjoy these videos on Good Will Hunting. It's a wonderful, emotional movie, and I enjoy your analysis of the scenes. As you explained these scenes, I realized something I hadn't noticed before: Will has the same role to Sean as Sean has to Will. That's what makes this movie unique. Both characters come from a place of pain, for different reasons, and both of them use these sessions to move forward. Will uses these sessions to begin trusting people, and Sean uses them to learn to take the same risks he's telling Will to take. While they meet in counseling to save Will, in the end, they both save each other. Will, Sean, Skyler, their almost-chance interactions save each other; that's the beauty of the film.

I love the soundtrack in these videos. Very good choice of music :)

i like the calm lofi beats in the background. Feels comfortable everytime.

Good Will Hunting is my favorite movie. I love this analysis! Keep up the good work.

Really enjoying these analyses. I will say I always took Will's line "I know what I'm doing" as a slight admittance of his own shortcomings.

I'm so happy that your brilliant essays on this film are finally blowing up! Good job my friend, really proud of you

I think the heart of this story is about the journey through life for both of these characters has stalled out. One is a broken man who has decided that drink and depression are his only true friends, and the other is a young man whose transition into manhood is stuck in a holding pattern. Each one needs to figure out how to move on, so every step forward in the therapy sessions benefits them both in some way. Sean's grief has him marooned in a deadly calm he has become accustomed to, and Will is frozen in midstride by his understandable fear of opening up to anyone. Sean needs a swift kick to help him realize he still has plenty of life ahead of him, and Will needs the courage to enter the unknown. Their arcs are intertwined because they need each other. A brilliant story written by two young men and launched into the stratosphere by the greatness of Robin Williams!

I love these videos. Aspiring counselor. This just interests me so much

16:50 -ish mark. I feel this part is key. The sharing of his own personal experience followed by his slightly philosophical thoughts on the matter. Different strokes for different clients but for a client like Will, for a client like I've been. This bit is the gold. The vulnerability and then someone else's considered view on life. It's not that long compared to an hour's session and it's the real good stuff. The best therapist I've had so far dropped in some personal things. With that, I knew I could trust the, I knew they were human. I was more happy spilling things about myself if I was getting a little back. I personally like an 80/20 ratio. For the 80% I'm saying about me, helping the therapist get to know me, I like a 20% back from the therapist themself. The approach I didn't get on with was a lovely enough therapist but one who kept trying to fit me into the psychological model he'd picked out after the first session. That was a bit naive I felt. Different strokes and all, but the 80/20 ratio works pretty good for me. I prefer a therapists personal insight as top tier, then philosophical insight, then psychological best practice. For other clients, it may be different.

Thanks for sharing your insights on counseling by using this epic movie. That Matt Damon and Ben Affleck were able to write such an insightful script at such a young age is a testament to their intuitive grasp of the human condition.

When Robin Williams' character says 'times up', I think it could also be interpreted as Sean doing exactly what Will was doing. Will was taking the counselor's words and turning it back on him, while sean did the same thing by using the phrase Will uses at the end of their first meeting (at a similar moment of emotional confrontation). I feel like the director is trying to show that they understand each other in this scene. Great Videos btw, love this movie so much

A lot of things you've said in this series have been really interesting to me, as someone who's received a lot of therapy from a variety of therapists, but I particularly liked what you said about clients making fun of their therapists because I've done that a lot. I have schizoaffective disorder, and one day, years ago, my then-therapist was making a lot of spelling errors in their notes and said "I feel like there's something wrong with my brain today" to which I replied "I know the feeling". They laughed, as I gather was the correct response, but it really did feel to me like a moment of connection.

This was wonderful, great!

I also think it's important to note that by using Sean's own words against him, Will is proving that he was actually listening and taking it all to heart.

Great videos, thank you and keep up the good work

just for the avatar joke i am subscribed now. Great stuff man, been following since ep1 i really enjoy it and I am glad you did not quit on the first one when all copy right stuff and footage got deletd, gg u the man

Honestly this is one of the most beautiful scripts I've ever heard..

My favorite movie. I love the way you're breaking it down.

Damn, you analyzed these scenes so well, I'm about to watch the movie again! And, of course, subscribe to your channel- thank you!

Thank you for these videos. I just like to read about psychology as a hobby and these are fascinating.

Very good analysis !

Thank you so much. Incredibly interesting.

Enjoying the series so far. Thanks.

I always think Sean doesn't want to use humour, but he is dealing with a scared kid who only talks to his friends and it works. He does his actually therapy style in the final talk, warm, slightly sad and witty.

another good analysis! I would like to add that in the first session(s) Will defines the end of the scene with "times up" and in this session Sean finishes the session off!

GWH is one of my favorite movies, I am loving these videos. Breakfast Club too. Great job with these.

Thanks again for the vids! I love Sean and Will's Chess Play. Especially because Sean is doing this to get through to Will, because he cares, and barely has interest in one-upping him. He steered. "You ever been on a plane?" I believe the same way he steered with "Get this - it's paint by numbers" in a previous session. They're two lines that makes me feel mixed emotions, I chuckle because the exchange is funny, and think deeply because it's sad. That Will may have never painted [maybe even by numbers, not that Sean would even know that], and that Will may never have flown on a plane before, that Sean suspected, leaving him maybe not to have experienced much beyond his narrow horizons and what Will escaped into with books.

The Elizabeth Swann name-drop is absolutely perfect. I’m only three episodes in, but this whole series is.

loving these videos. i think i take away a different interpretation of that "times up" moment. i think Will struck a real chord and it penetrated Sean. i don't think he was merely smiling out of amusement. i think it stung, but it was also clarifying for Sean, but it was something he would to need to process a bit, like the painting analysis, only more accurate and sincere. it wasn't just a moment of insightful banter that he took in stride. it was more than that. and it reaches its conclusion at the end of the movie.

20:45 For the "times up" at the end of this session, that echoed the "times up" from the end of the 1st session. Each one has "won" a session using the same move. Now they both know giving and receiving that move. Now they are equals, and can start doing the real work.

I think part of the point in this movie is that Will was helping Shawn deal with his issues, too. So while a lot of what Sean did was probably not appropriate in 'normal' counseling, there was something therapeutic about it for the counselor also. If you recall, he was talked down to by Jerry, as though being a therapist was a lowlier job than being a college professor, and he was spoken to as though he was some un-ambitious flunkie who was incapable of doing anything else, so was 'stuck with' being a mental health counselor.

This brings me joy

loved this movie and enjoyed your analysis

Pretty much off topic, but... your screenshots, many of Matt Damon’s face show me the subtle hints of emotional change or maybe realization (???). What I’m trying to say and not succinctly enough, is that I think Matt D. deserved an award for his acting as well as his co-screenwriting. Kudos to you sir, opening up an almost 50 aged and jaded mind, to more things you’ll ever know might help us get through each day. 🙏🏼🙌🏼💯

Loving this series.

I wish I could use times up when my clients in construction. Great video!

nice (albeit tedious) to hear everything that you perceive in their interactions verbalized so eloquently. Keep these coming my man.

14:25 ... I had seen on KZfaq, or read on Quora, that the fart joke was not in the script. Robin improvised it, and Matt Damon was genuinely laughing. 17:50, transcending the 'mere counselor' role, good point. 'Times up' ... yeah, I had problems with that when classes were going well and the students really involved. I'm on a serial run of listening to your videos ... really well done.

I think it’s so strange that people have this idea that therapy isn’t work, or that the therapist is supposed to ‘fix you’ and your role in therapy is a passive one when like even learning and maintains a hobby is hard work. As an example I taught myself how to knit, it was hard at the start, sometimes really frustrating and eventually got easier but I continually find more complex things to challenge or add to my skill set. In the end you did something that you can either be proud of or strive to improve in the future. So if you even take a hobby seriously why wouldn’t you take your mental health just as serious.