In the movie Good Will Hunting, Robin Williams’ character tries to break the shell of a genius played by Matt Damon. This is one of my favorite movie monologues of all time.
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“So if I asked you about art you’d probably give me the skinny on every art book ever written. Michelangelo? You know a lot about him. Life’s work, political aspirations, him and the pope, sexual orientation, the whole works, right? But I bet you can’t tell me what it smells like in the Sistine Chapel. You’ve never actually stood there and looked up at that beautiful ceiling. Seen that. If I asked you about women you’d probably give me a syllabus of your personal favorites. You may have even been laid a few times. But you can’t tell me what it feels like to wake up next to a woman and feel truly happy. You’re a tough kid. I ask you about war, and you’d probably, uh, throw Shakespeare at me, right? “Once more into the breach, dear friends.” But you’ve never been near one. You’ve never held your best friend’s head in your lap and watched him gasp his last breath, looking to you for help. And if I asked you about love you probably quote me a sonnet. But you’ve never looked at a woman and been totally vulnerable. Known someone could level you with her eyes. Feeling like God put an angel on earth just for you…who could rescue you from the depths of hell. And you wouldn’t know what it’s like to be her angel and to have that love for her to be there forever. Through anything. Through cancer. You wouldn’t know about sleeping sitting’ up in a hospital room for two months holding her hand because the doctors could see in your eyes that the term visiting hours don’t apply to you. You don’t know about real loss, because that only occurs when you love something more than you love yourself. I doubt you’ve ever dared to love anybody that much. I look at you; I don’t see an intelligent, confident man; I see a cocky, scared shitless kid. But you’re a genius, Will. No one denies that. No one could possibly understand the depths of you. But you presume to know everything about me because you saw a painting of mine and you ripped my fuckin’ life apart. You’re an orphan right? Do you think I’d know the first thing about how hard your life has been, how you feel, who you are because I read Oliver Twist? Does that encapsulate you? Personally, I don’t give a shit about all that, because you know what? I can’t learn anything from you I can’t read in some fuckin’ book. Unless you wanna talk about you, who you are. And I’m fascinated. I’m in. But you don’t wanna do that, do you, sport? You’re terrified of what you might say. Your move, chief.“
I like that monologue too! It’s very good and it reminds me that… I watched this movie once a long time ago and I think I forgot its existence, what a shame! u_u I’ve to watch it again!
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yes, it is well worth a rewatch. thank you for stopping by!
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Awesome!!!
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thank you, edwin! the writers are awesome!
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You gotta love Robin Williams ; )
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many might disagree but i really think that drama is robin williams’ forte. those sad eyes, meek smile and the slow, impeccable delivery of dialogue…well, you get the picture :)
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Nonsense! He’s a genius : )
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no quarrel with that :)
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Neil – yes! It’s such a good screenplay, and this is a great bit. Did you type that up? Very grateful ;-)
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hahaha! thank god, i didn’t have to. i googled it :) thank you, gabriela. hope you’re enjoying your summer.
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Just got back from Wimbledon – I did the whole camping thing to ensure tickets for the quarter finals. It was epic!!
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wow! i’m rooting for andy murray. i’ve read that the q-finals was truly epic.
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One of the bestest monologues ever! I was blown away when I found out that both Ben Affleck and Matt Damon wrote this screenplay…and why! Their story is almost as magnificent as this speech…. thank you for sharing this reminder of both excellent words…and acting!
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interesting backstories huh. you are most welcome, christina!
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A good shake up of a speech.
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a helluva speech! thanks, annie!
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I’ve never seen this movie! Wow. Downloading it now!
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download it asap, full bandwidth :D
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Loved that particular part of the movie. I wonder who wrote that monologue.:)
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ben affleck and matt damon shared writing credits on this movie. thanks for the comment, frank!
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Neil,
That is what I was trying to say…..”talk about you, who you are. And I’m fascinated.”
This is what makes a man that can be known. One that is vulnerable enough to share. Ellen
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“one that is vulnerable enough to share,” i like that line, ellen. oftentimes the hardest stories to share are those that are our own.
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It’s monologues like this that make me want to be a writer even more…
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i agree. it’s monologues like this that make me want to write…
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Completely agree…
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That’s the kind of speech that can win Oscars. Oh wait a minute … :)
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you’re right :D thanks to ben affleck and matt damon’s screenplay.
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So I’m listening to John Mayer’s new album and I’m only one track in and IT’S SO GOOD I DON’T KNOW HOW I’M GOING TO GET ANY WORK DONE TODAY AND I LOVE IT SO MUCH.
Just thought you should know ;)
ps: the track is “Queen of California”. I have a feeling you’ll like it.
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hi, amb. that’s good news! i’m going to get a copy tonight. then i’ll share with you what i think. hope it isn’t “bluesy”
catchy title. can’t wait…
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Yay! Looking forward to it. I don’t think the album will be too bluesy for you at all – it’s mostly just Mayer and his guitar. I’m listening to “Speak for Me” right now and there isn’t even percussion – all of the rhythm comes from the guitar. That’s more your style, yes?
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that’s right. and the guitar notes shouldn’t be hard blues. queen of cali has some blues to it but it came out fine :)
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queen of california is good. it sounds like his other song “say”
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That’s what it reminds me of! Thank you!
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i won’t be surprised if they use similar chords. thanks for reminding me to get that album. totally forgot about it.
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I should be thanking you – I always love our music conversations!
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as i do :)
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Gotta love how the blogsphere brings people together!
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;)
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