Although his intervention in the film is short, Damon's performance as Private Ryan remains poignant and pivotal for the film.

Source: https://collider.com/matt-damon-best-movies-rotten-tomatoes/

He presents the seemingly insurmountable odds of finding Private Ryan since they don't even have confirmation that he is still alive.

Source: https://screenrant.com/saving-private-ryan-actors-forgotten/

His biggest success was playing Sgt. Mike Harvath in Saving Private Ryan in 1999, the same year he had his first major leading role as Detective Vincent D'Agosta in The Relic.

Source: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11768983/Saving-Private-Ryan-star-Tom-Sizemore-critical-condition-suffering-brain-aneurysm.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490

It makes for a thrilling ride that fits alongsideSaving Private Ryan as one of Hanks' great WWII movies.

Source: https://screenrant.com/band-brothers-tom-hanks-cameos-explained/

No coincidence that in almost all his movies, including Saving Private Ryan, Philadelphia, Sully, Forrest Gump and Castaway, he's the good guy.

Source: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-12130193/PLATELLS-PEOPLE-week-Just-Stop-Oil-zealots-lost-plot.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490

Scott Frank got nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay and the legendary Anne V. Coates got a Best Editing nod, but they lost to "Gods and Monsters" and "Saving Private Ryan," respectively.

Source: https://www.slashfilm.com/1427517/director-steven-soderbergh-beat-himself-oscars-never-nominated-again/