I still remember what drew me to Good Will Hunting. It was January 1998 and the Oscar race was at its peak. The frontrunner was a little movie called Titanic. God, how I hated that movie. And along came the little movie that could, willing to give Titanic a run for its money. Co-written by two young, up and coming stars (Matt Damon and Ben Affleck), directed by someone with a knack for telling smart, honest tails (Gus Van Sant), and anchored by a beloved actor giving his most solid performance (Robin Williams), the movie had me.
Not to mention the movie has great replay value. There's funny and inventive dialogue, an intriguing plot, good performances from those involved (except for the guy who plays Billy. Man, how much mescaline was that guy doing before filming?) The movie has a great, eclectic score from Danny Elfman, and deep, haunting, songs from Elliott Smith. And you'd be surprised how eerily the movies' lines echo the experiences of a Hopkins freshman. Here is freshman year in ten quotes
1. "You just cash in your chips and you walk away?" "Hey at least I played a hand." "And you lost, you lost a big (expletive) hand and some people will lose a hand like that and have the sack to ante up again."
Will's challenge to Robin William's Sean Maguire is devoted to a personal favorite: gambling. It's never too late for those poker nights or even trips to Ocean City. Hell, with NBA playoff action heating up, now might be the time to sucker all your friends from Philly and New Jersey out of their parents' money. A new game I've discovered is betting on the weather. With Baltimore, there's never a sure thing. But believe me, it always rains on Tuesdays. Anyone want in on this action?
And while we're on topic, I wish I could buy stock in things like, Michael Finley will lose a playoff series for the Mavs. Yeh, that's right Mr. 1-17 in an elimination game, you're suspect. And since when did Balki from Perfect Strangers start running the point for Dallas? And has anyone else noticed Larry Brown's striking resemblance to Mr. Roper from Three's Company? Sorry, got carried away.
2. "Have you studied organic chemistry?" "A little bit" "Oh just for fun." "Yeah, for kicks." "Yeah, it's so much fun studying for Organic Chemistry. Are you mad? Have you completely lost your mind? No one studies organic chemistry for fun."
To the people who live in the first rows of Professor Lectka's 9:00 AM, and I'm not talking to the English and hearing impaired students. One of my favorite Hopkins memories was when you guys bum-rushed the chalkboard to copy down the rooms for the first midterm, completely blocking the information from the rest of the students. Class act, guys.
3. "So what is this? A taster's choice moment between guys? This is really nice. You got a thing for swans?"
Now that the weather is treating you right, try checking out some of the beautiful parks in the Baltimore area. I recommend Powder Mill Park in Powhatan Mill. A great place whether you're playing touch football or reading by the river.
4. "You know, you'd be better off shoving that cigarette up your ass. It'd probably be healthier for you." "Yeah, it really gets in the way of my yoga."
Sure, the new A.C. has got its problems: only three basketball courts, the weight room is kind of small, and the wall doesn't allow for bouldering. But if you're not taking advantage of it, you're crazy. Pick up games against your T.A.'s? Who could pass that up.
5. "You're an idiot. I've been sitting over there for forty five minutes waiting for you to come talk to me."
All right guys, pony up. It's the end of the year and we all know there's been that one girl we've had our eye on. Why is now suddenly the time to pursue it? Simply because you'll be approaching someone when they're most cheerful: the end of school.
6. "Do you like apples? Well I've got her number. How do you like them apples?"
The most clever line in the movie goes to the school's most clever move: opening E-Level right during alumni weekend and prospective student visits. It's a cool environment with a friendly staff and cheap snacks, but couldn't we have seen this a little sooner?
7. "Or we can get together and eat some caramels. When you think about it, it's just as arbitrary as drinking coffee."
The lamest, most forced line in the movie goes to the hyped up elections. Another round of low voter turnout, uncreative campaigning, mudslinging, and poor publicity for measures that might really affect students. What was supposed to be a meaningful and perhaps policy altering trip to the voting booth, instead left students confused and untrustworthy of the whole process.
8. "Hey Will, I don't know a lot. But you see this, all this (expletive). This is not your fault. Look at me son. It's not your fault." "I know." "It's not your fault. It's not your fault." "Don't (expletive) with me. Don't (expletive) with me Sean, not you." "It's not your fault. It's not your fault."
The emotional climax of the movie has to go to the climax of the school year: Spring Fair. Finally, a weekend where students were treated to real attempts at making their stay a little more enjoyable. Good food (though where's the Mexican, hombre?), cheap hippie crap for sale, and good weather to boot. And after downing those deep fried Oreo's, students got a great, diverse show from The Roots. It is hilarious though, that a ten second guitar cover of "Sweet Child of Mine" got more applause than anything else they played that night.
9. "You know what the best part of my day is? The ten seconds before I knock on the door 'cause I let myself think I might get there, and you'd be gone."
Man, I tell my roommate this everyday. I'm convinced if there were a live feed from our room, millions would tune in. Typical exchange: "Hey Joe, did you know there's a running back on the Colts named Ben Gay? I bet he won't be selling any replica jerseys." "Dude, that stuff really hurts." Classic.
10. "If you want to read a real history book, read Howard Zinn's 'People History of the United States.' That book will knock you on your ass."
It's the MSE symposium, better known as which quasi-politician or celebrity can act more wooden, ignore questions, and hit on Hopkins students, while laughing their way to the bank? And that's just Bob Woodward. The most captivating of all our guests? Diplomat Edward Peck who was part of the Foreign Affairs Symposium. Not that I didn't appreciate Ben Stein trying to sell me his book for half an hour. And how about Lani Guinier everybody? Yeh, I know, I wasn't there either.
