What makes Sean go through the transformation at the end of Good Will Hunting?
In the movie Good Will Hunting, Sean (Robin Williams) is shown to be very depressed in the beginning because of a personal tragedy. His house is all messy, he (apparently) gets drunk every evening, he doesn't socialize with his old friends etc.
Then he works with Will as his psychologist for a few weeks/months and by the end of the movie he is supposedly cured of the depression himself (he now wants to go to college reunions, travel the world, is happier overall, etc).
So, what happened? What made him go through some sort of catharsis himself? What is the movie trying to say here?
Best Answer
He realizes he needs to take his own advice
The entire movie, Sean has been basically telling Will that he needs to get out and experience things for himself instead of being a know it all. Sean has been out there and experienced life but Will hasn't. His entire wealth of knowledge comes from books.
At one point they have an argument where Will throws this in Sean's face:
Will: Dead! She dies and you just cash in your chips. That's a fuckin' cop-out!
Sean: I've been there. I played my hand.
Will: That's right. And you fuckin' lost! And some people would have the sack to lose a big hand like that and still come back and ante up again!
Sean: You and your bullshit. You got an answer for everybody. But I asked you a straight question and you can't give me a straight answer. Because you don't know.
Will criticizes Sean for giving up after he lost his wife, but Sean comes right back at him. He may have taken a risk and been hurt and given up, but at least he's been out there and tried.
Later in the movie, Will has finally taken Sean's words to heart ad we find out that Sean has also taken Will's crticism to heart and has decided to take his own advice and start experiencing life again.
Sean: I'm gonna travel a little bit, so I don't know where I'll be.
Will smiles.
Sean: I just... figured it's time I put my money back on the table, see what kind of cards I get.
Will smiles. Sean hands him a piece of paper.
Sean: I'll be checking in with my machine at the college. If you ever need anything, just call. Do what's in your heart, son. You'll be fine.
Will: Thank you, Sean.
Sean: No. Thank you.
Helping others is a common way to cope with depression
On a personal level, I would like to add that Sean gains a level of personal satisfaction from being able to help Will and this has a great affect on him and his depression. Helping other people is a common method that people use to cope with depression and I can say that it is very effective.
Pictures about "What makes Sean go through the transformation at the end of Good Will Hunting?"
What does Sean do at the end of Good Will Hunting?
At the end of the film, Sean has decided to travel the world in search of new happiness, and Will leaves South Boston for the first time in his life to be with Skylar in California. A note he leaves for Sean explains that he had "to go see about a girl." Sean's story gave Will the courage to seek love.What does the ending of Good Will Hunting mean?
On a symbolic level, the end of this movie tells us that Will is finally willing to embrace the uncertainties of life and put his heart on the line to be with someone he loves. Throughout his life, he has pushed people away because he's been afraid that they'll hurt him emotionally if he lets them get too close.What does Sean learn in Good Will Hunting?
Sean Maguire has accomplished many goals while counseling his client, Will Hunting. He has learned how to deal with the passing of his wife in a positive way and he has reconnected with old friends who can bring him joy during this time in his life.What does will teach Sean?
While those reminscences are often painful, Sean can't imagine living anywhere else. Profession\u2026 a professor of psychology and part-time counselor at Bunker Hill Community College. Sean is a talented teacher and counselor but has to deal with the fact that many of his former classmates think he's wasting his potential.Good Will Hunting | 'Your Move Chief' (HD) - Matt Damon, Robin Williams | MIRAMAX
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Ketut Subiyanto, Miguel Á. Padriñán, Photography Maghradze PH, mentatdgt