MovieChat Forums > Good Will Hunting (1998) Discussion > This is a remake of Saturday Night Fever

This is a remake of Saturday Night Fever

posted 4 years ago by Oblivioid (1244)
3 replies | jump to latest

-Will Hunting is a prolific mathematician, to Tony Manero's prolific dancer.
-the plot revolves around 4 male friends and a female protaganist.
-instead of a dance club, the boys hang out at the bah where they watch Will show off his intellect, as opposed to Tony busting the hottest dance fever moves. The end goal being the same, get drunk, get laid.

-gang fights
-the biggest difference is the lack of a strong role model in Saturday Night Fever for Tony, compared to Robin Williams. You could say Tony draws some wisdom from his brother Frank, but it's not the same. Tony mostly comes of age by watching the mistakes of his friends around him and self reflection. Will Hunting basically has a guidance counselor.

[–] Who (5146) 4 years ago

Interesting comparison. Lots of parallels, but missing some key plot points

- no one jumps off a bridge in GWH
- no one gets raped in GWH
- one female protagonist can hold her own, the other has to sleep with the boss to keep her job
- Stephanie doesn’t have any romantic interest in Tony. Skykar does in Will.
- Tony’s father is (mostly) emotionally abusive and part of the film. Will’s father was harshly physically abusive and just part of the backstory.
- no parallels to the MIT Prof in SNF
- Tony’s friends want to drag him down, pin him to their aimless, party-focused lives. Will’s friends want him to use his intellect to get ahead in life. They even bought him a cahh to get outta bawston.

[–] Oblivioid (1244) 3 years ago

Thank you for the good counter points.

[–] BourbonKing (5639) 3 years ago

I always thought it was a prequel to "Rounders"