19 Great Performances by Women Playing Love Interests

HOLLYWOOD, CA – FEBRUARY 10: Actress Minnie Driver in a scene from the movie ‘Good Will Hunting’ was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the movie 10 February. (Photo credit should read GEORGE KRAYCHYK-MIRAMAX FILMS/AFP/Getty Images)

12. Minnie Driver (Good Will Hunting)

The role: Skylar is the girlfriend of Matt Damon’s titular genius. A Harvard student with plans to attend medical school, she inspires him to get his act together.

Why she’s great: At times, Skylar threatens to veer into Cool Girl territory, swigging beer with abandon and telling vulgar jokes that impress Will’s blue-collar bro friends. She’s the rare movie girlfriend with whom you actually want to hang out. With her wide eyes and husky voice, Driver keeps the character grounded in reality, never letting her exuberance dilute her intelligence or ambition. Throughout the movie, she gives us glimpses of the Skylar who is more than the smart, beautiful, fun dream woman that Will sees her as, who wrestles with her own quirks, insecurities, and imperfections. And again, she actually gets to smile and laugh, which is nice.

Standout moment: Will and Skylar’s break-up derives its power largely from Driver’s ability to convey vulnerability and strength simultaneously. She cycles through a variety of emotions, from confusion to fury to despair, with raw intensity while also demonstrating precise control, at times doing little except alter the pitch of her voice. As devastating as it is, the scene establishes Skylar as a woman who knows herself and won’t compromise her needs for a man, and that’s something to applaud.