Script for Good Will Hunting
Script 1:
Scene 1: At a Bar
CHARACTERS:
JOHN (early 20s JOHN (early 20s, genius-level ability, janitor in an university)
MIKE (early 20s John’s best friend Construction worker)
INT. LOCAL BAR – NIGHT
John is sitting at a secluded bar, reading an Physics textbook. Mike comes in, and dusts off his work attire.
MIKE
(Cheerful)
Johnny boy, are you reading again?
JOHN
(Smirks)
And why is that?
MIKE
(Laughs)
There’s nothing wrong with that if you’re planning to sweep floors all the time in your life!
John concludes the book and is looking at Mike in a serious way.
JOHN
(Sincerely)
It’s not every day that you get an opportunity, Mike. I’m making the best out of what I’ve got.
Mike smiles and acknowledges his friend’s struggles.
FADE OUT.
Scene 2: In a University Classroom
CHARACTERS:
Professor, RICHARDSON (50s, stern-looking Professor of Mathematics)
JOHN (as in the previous)
INT. UNIVERSITY CLASSROOM – DAY
Professor Richardson stands before a complicated equation on the blackboard. After the class and the students go home. John comes in to tidy the room.
PROF. RICHARDSON
(Dismissive)
Make sure you don’t wipe the boards. It is necessary to resolve that issue.
JOHN
(Nods but then hesitates)
Can I try?
Prof. Richardson laughs but agrees. John grabs chalk and quickly solves the equation. Prof. Richardson watches in disbelief.
FADE OUT.
Script 2:
Scene 1: In a Boston Diner
CHARACTERS:
SAM (early twenty’s brilliant ability, also works as dishwasher)
EDDIE (early 20s Sam’s best buddy mechanic)
INT. BOSTON DINER – MORNING
Sam is seated behind the counter reading a book about quantum Physics. Eddie arrives wearing grease-stained gloves and overalls stained by the work.
EDDIE
(Teasing)
Sammy Always keeping your eyes on those books!
SAM
(Smiles)
You are always covered in grease!
Eddie laughs as he wipes his hands with an apron.
EDDIE
(Joking)
I’m at least trying to appear as somebody I’m not.
Sam is looking up, but now he is serious.
SAM
(Sincere)
Who’s to say I’m not pretending, Eddie?
FADE OUT.
Scene 2: In the Diner’s Kitchen
CHARACTERS:
Chef Robert (50s tough chef at the restaurant)
SAM / SAM (as previously mentioned)
INT. DINER KITCHEN – DAY
Chef Robert is seated in front of a complicated recipe written on the chalkboard in the kitchen. The lunch rush is over and the kitchen staff departs. Sam is able to clean dishes.
CHEF ROBERT
(dismissive)
Place your recipe out on the board, wash it in the dishwasher. This is for true chefs.
Sam smiles, stops before speaking.
SAM
(Respectful)
Do I want to try it Chef?
Chef Robert is a bit irritated, but he turns at the chalkboard. Sam grabs an eraser and writes down the recipe in a snap. Chef Robert looks on, in awe.
FADE OUT.
Script 3:
Scene 1: At a Local Park
CHARACTERS:
LEO (early 20s, IQ high and works as park janitor)
FRANK (early 20s FRANK (early 20s, Leo’s childhood buddy FRANK (early 20s, mechanic for a car)
EXT. BOSTON PARK – AFTERNOON
Leo is seated on a bench in the park, engaged in a book about advanced Physics. Frank comes in his uniform, stained by oil.
FRANK
(Jokingly)
Leo Always burying the head of your book in it!
LEO
(Smiling)
And you’re always at the elbows of grease!
Frank smiles and wipes his hands with an old towel.
FRANK
(Teasing)
At the very least, I’m not pretending appear to be someone else.
Leo is looking up with a serious look that replaces his smile.
LEO
(Sincere)
Who’s to say I’m not pretending, Frank?
FADE OUT.
Scene 2: In the Park’s Maintenance Shed
CHARACTERS:
BOSS JIM (50s gruff Head of Park Maintenance)
LEO (as previously mentioned)
INT. PARK MAINTENANCE SHED – DAY
Boss Jim is standing in front of a tangled plan on the chalkboard in the shed. After lunch and workers go home. Leo arrives to clean up.
BOSS JIM
(Dismissive)
Put the agenda at the table, or janitor. This is for real workers.
Leo smiles and then talks up.
LEO
(Respectful)
Would you like to try it Boss?
Boss Jim is furious, but he gestures at the chalkboard. Leo takes an eraser and arranges the agenda easily. Boss Jim looks on, amazed.
FADE OUT.
Script 4:
Scene 1: In a Boston Library
CHARACTERS:
JAKE JAKE (early twenty’s), awe-inspiring intelligence JAKE (early 20s, prodigious intellect, librarian)
MIKE (early 20s, Jake’s long-time buddy and construction worker)
INT. BOSTON LIBRARY – EVENING
Jake is seated in a quiet corner, immersed in the book about theoretical Physics. Mike is in, tired from the day’s activities.
MIKE
(Teasing)
Jake You’re always lost in these books!
JAKE
(Smiles)
You’re always covered in cement dust!
Mike laughs, rubbing his dirty clothes.
MIKE
(jokingly)
At the very least, I’m not pretending look like someone else.
Jake turns his head and is serious.
JAKE
(Sincere)
Who’s pretending, Mike?
FADE OUT.
Scene 2: In the Library Basement
CHARACTERS:
LIBRARIAN MARTHA (50s, stern head librarian)
JAKE (as previously mentioned)
INT. LIBRARY BASEMENT – DAY
Librarian Martha is seated in front of a complicated cataloging system, which is on a massive chalkboard. The library closes and the staff go home. Jake arrives to tidy up.
LIBRARIAN MARTHA
(Dismissive)
Put the catalog system off the board, with a caretaker. This is for librarians who are real.
Jake smiles, hesitates and then speaks.
JAKE
(Respectful)
Would you like to try it, Martha?
Martha shrugs, but she gestures towards the chalkboard. Jake takes the chalk and organizes the system quickly. Martha is amazed.
FADE OUT.
Script 5:
Scene 1: At a Boston Gym
CHARACTERS:
AARON (early in his 20s with an astonishment intelligence is an gym janitor)
Tommy (early twenty’s), Aaron’s long-time friend and mechanic)
INT. BOSTON GYM – MORNING
Aaron is seated on a bench and is absorbed in a text on the theory of string. Tommy comes in and his clothes are stained with oil.
TOMMY
(Teasing)
Aaron is always hidden between those pages!
AARON
(Smiling)
You’re always under the car under the hood!
Tommy laughs as he wipes his hands with the rag.
TOMMY
(Jokingly)
Aaron is looking up with a serious look, his smile fading away.
AARON
(Sincere)
Who’s to say that I’m not Tommy?
FADE OUT.
Scene 2: In the Gym’s Storage Room
CHARACTERS:
COACH DAVID (50s tough, hard director of the gymnasium)
AARON (as previously mentioned)
INT. GYM STORAGE ROOM – DAY
Coach David is seated in front of a detailed training program on the chalkboard in the room. After the morning shift is over when the workers depart. Aaron comes in to tidy up.
COACH DAVID
(Dismissive)
Don’t put the calendar in the room, or with the janitor. It’s only for real trainers.
Aaron looks up, and then speaks.
AARON
(Respectful)
Could I try it? Coach?
Coach David looks at his watch but he gestures to the chalkboard. Aaron takes an eraser and organizes the plan quickly. David is the coach. David looks on, amazed.
FADE OUT.
