Ben Affleck and Matt Damon are American actors, screenwriters, and producers from Cambridge, Massachusetts who have frequently collaborated throughout their careers. The duo first gained recognition in 1997 after they won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for Good Will Hunting, which they wrote and starred in together. Since then, they have kept a close public relationship, often working on projects and establishing businesses with one another.[1]
Meeting
editThe pair met in their native Cambridge when Affleck was 8 and Damon age 10. By the late 1980s, the two decided on pursuing a career in cinema and opened a shared bank account in order to save money for auditions, depositing money either of them earned from early roles into the account.[2] In 1989, the duo worked on their first film together, Field of Dreams, in which they were cast as extras.[citation needed]
Relationship
editGood Will Hunting
editWhile studying at Harvard University, Damon was tasked with writing a script, in which he asked Affleck to assist in presenting to his class. After dropping out, Damon moved into Affleck's apartment in Los Angeles and the two expanded on the assignment, writing what would become Good Will Hunting.[3] The film was met with widespread critical acclaim, with critics praising both Affleck and Damon's performances and writing. It went on to win the pair their first Oscars, for Best Original Screenplay and, in 2014, was featured on The Hollywood Reporter's "100 Favorite Films" list.[4]
Other films
editAs of 2023, the pair has collaborated on a total of 9 films, many of which received overwhelmingly positive reviews. In alignment with their work with Miramax and Kevin Smith, they have occasionally parodied their past roles.
| Title | Release Date | Production Studio(s) | Rotten Tomatoes | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Field of Dreams | May 5, 1989 | Gordon Company | 88% | First professional collaboration, both uncredited |
| School Ties | September 18, 1992 | Jaffe/Lansing Production | 60% | |
| Good Will Hunting | December 5, 1997 | Be Gentleman | 97% | Written by Affleck and Damon |
| Chasing Amy | April 4, 1997 | View Askew Productions | 87% | |
| Dogma | November 12, 1999 | View Askew Productions and STKstudio | 67% | |
| Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back | August 24, 2001 | Dimension Films, Miramax, and View Askew Productions | 52% | Both play a satirical version of themselves, parodying a scene from Good Will Hunting. |
| Jay and Silent Bob Reboot | October 15, 2019 | View Askew Productions, Miramax, Destro Films, Mewesings, SMODCO, Hideout Pictures, Intercut Capital, and Skit Bags Entertainment | 64% | Affleck satirically reprises his role as Holden McNeil, while Damon makes references to his role as Jason Bourne |
| The Last Duel | October 15, 2021 | 20th Century Studios, Scott Free Productions, Pearl Street Films, and TSG Entertainment | 85% | Screenplay by Affleck, Damon, and Nicole Holofcener. Only Pearl Street Films production featuring both company founders. |
| Air | April 5, 2023 | Amazon Studios, Skydance Sports, Artists Equity, and Mandalay Pictures | 93% | Directed by Affleck. Co-produced by the duo's new independent venture Artists Equity |
Business ventures
editIn 2012, Affleck and Damon established Pearl Street Films, a film and production company based at Warner Bros. Studios.[5] After 10 years, the company was dissolved in 2022 with the final production being The Last Duel, a film starring the two founders. The duo instead shifted their focus onto their own independent film company, Artists Equity, which was founded in 2022. In 2023, the new studio released its first film, Air, which was directed by Affleck and starring them both, with Damon playing the lead role.
Public image
editAs a result of their shared upbringing and frequent collaboration, Affleck and Damon's friendship has garnered a lot of public attention, with Us Weekly dubbing it "a bromance worth celebrating."[6] The two frequently mention one another in interviews and other public forums, including hosting political fundraisers together.[7] On his relationship with Damon, Affleck said: "This friendship has been essential and defining and so important to me in my life. There were a few critical times, which are private and I don’t want to share, but where [Damon's] support was so profoundly meaningful to me that I don’t think I would’ve been able to be successful without it.”[8] Referencing his experience working with Affleck again on The Last Duel, Damon said "Why aren't we doing this more often? And getting into your 50s you just go: if we don't make it a priority, it just isn't going to happen.",[9] seemingly alluding to more collaborations between the two coming in the future.
Marketing
editThe Damon–Affleck relationship is referenced in one of the 2023 Dunkin' Donuts commercials featuring Affleck.[10]
See also
edit- Vulgar auteurism - several of their films are in this article
- Blockbuster cinema
- Indiewood - several of their films are also in this article
- Schwarzenegger–Stallone rivalry
References
edit- ^ "A Comprehensive Guide to Every Matt Damon and Ben Affleck Film". Time. 2023-04-06. Retrieved 2023-10-12.
- ^ Sharf, Zack (2023-03-23). "Ben Affleck and Matt Damon Shared a Bank Account to Fund Their Acting Auditions: 'It Was Unusual, but We Needed the Money'". Variety. Retrieved 2023-10-12.
- ^ "New Again: Ben Affleck". Interview Magazine. 2014-04-16. Retrieved 2023-10-12.
- ^ T. H. R. Staff (2014-06-25). "Hollywood's 100 Favorite Films". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2023-10-12.
- ^ Buell, Spencer (2018-03-13). "Matt Damon and Ben Affleck's Production Company Will Adopt "Inclusion Riders"". Boston Magazine. Retrieved 2023-10-12.
- ^ Staff, Us Weekly (2023-04-05). "Matt Damon and Ben Affleck's Bromance Through the Years". Us Weekly. Retrieved 2023-10-12.
- ^ Daunt, Tina (2012-05-22). "Ben Affleck-Hosted Fundraiser for Elizabeth Warren Draws Big Stars, Big Bucks". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2023-10-12.
- ^ January 11, Leah Greenblatt; EST, 2022 at 12:00 PM. "Ben Affleck, at the top of his game". EW.com. Retrieved 2023-10-12.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "A duo once more, Ben Affleck, Matt Damon come up for 'Air'". AP News. 2023-04-04. Retrieved 2023-10-12.
- ^ "Ben Affleck Gets Mistaken for Matt Damon in New Dunkin' Commercial (Exclusive)". Peoplemag. Retrieved 2023-11-11.