I just had an revelation about the movie "Good Will Hunting". The scenes in which Will solves both math problems on the board of MIT while on janitorial duty. I think the movie has misrepresented the idea that Will had concluded the solution quickly when he went back home solving it on a glass window.

The MIT professor that put the problem on the board did state that it took him and his colleagues two years to prove it. That would probably mean it was published under their names. What if Will had read the paper and learned how to solve the problem from it?

This is in no way denying that Will was a mathematically skilled individual and that he was bright. Although, the story should have clarified so.

I also find it absurd how he answered Skylar's question about he could "just play". He learned through the practice of studying and it must have taken him quite some time.

I cannot believe I never thought about this.