In a past interview (via LA Times), Tony Dalton, who played the role of Lalo Salamanca in the Breaking Bad prequel series Better Call Saul, talked about his inspirations behind writing his own stories. He stated that it was the story of Robin Williams’ Good Will Hunting and its creation that was the catalyst for him to get into the industry and start writing his own stories. He said:
I picked this career and didn’t know what else to do. I’d been waiting tables and that was not something I wanted to do for the rest of my life. It’s not like at 25 I could just go into engineering. I had to write myself those movies to get my foot in the door. I read the first part of “Good Will Hunting” and how Matt Damon and Ben Affleck wrote that movie and thought, “I can do this.”
And after working for so long in the TV industry of the US as well as in the TV and Film industry in Mexico, the star finally joined the cast of Vince Gilligan’s series, where his villain portrayal was exceptionally amazing.
Tony Dalton’s Success Story: How Good Will Hunting Inspired Lalo Salamanca
As stated in the intro and the interview, the reason for Dalton’s entry into the industry may have been for the purpose of finding himself, but his developed passion for performance is what got him the recognition today. And before Better Call Saul, the star had made his name in the TV industry in Mexico.
Due to his bicultural heritage, he first gained exposure in Mexican Telenovelas like Rebelde. He has also starred in a film, titled Matando Cabos, which he had co-written as well (via Rotten Tomatoes), along with another film, titled Sultanes del Sur, where he was also a writer and an actor.
Then, one of the biggest roles of his career came in the form of Lalo Salamanca. This character was played to beyond perfection by Dalton, so much so that it became a close rival to Gus Fring’s character. He even managed to bring a similar atmosphere of fear and hopelessness that Fring would when he made his moves.
Recently, the star also played the role of Jack Duquesne in Hawkeye in the MCU, where, yet again, he showed his range, not always needing to be villainous, and being able to play different types of supporting roles as well.
Good Will Hunting’s Relevance Hasn’t Vanished in Almost Three Decades
When Good Will Hunting premiered in 1997, it was hailed as a heartfelt story about intelligence, trauma, and human connection, and almost three decades later, those sentiments haven’t changed. The biggest reason for this is the presentation and execution of timeless themes like potential and barriers.
It presented working-class hardships and personal traumas in a resonant way. Many can still relate to the tension between untapped potential and roadblocks, such as economic, emotional, or social barriers, that hold people back. It truly makes people understand that sometimes, talent isn’t the only thing needed to truly succeed in life.
The clash between elite institutions and the roots of the main character’s blue-collar origins is a stark reminder of the world we live in, and the exploration of such a topic through an artistic lens connected with the audience personally. In the modern landscape of the world, this has become even more prevalent.
The impact of these themes was also boosted tenfold thanks to the performance of Williams, along with Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, who also wrote the story. In fact, Damon was the star who received the most opportunities and recognition following the film’s release.
Here’s a table providing more information about the film.
What are your thoughts on Good Will Hunting? Tell us in the comments below.
Better Call Saul is streaming on Netflix (US).
