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Director: Mike Nichols
Writers: Calder
Willingham, Buck Henry
Starring: Dustin
Hoffman, Anne Bancroft, Katharine Ross
Length: 106 min
Much
has changed since the 1960’s, so I didn’t know what to expect when walking into
The Graduate, a 1967 film known as
a classic college movie. To my surprise, I found myself instantly
relating to the film and loving every second of it.
The Graduate tells the tale of Benjamin Braddock
(Dustin Hoffman), a young adult and recent college graduate. Constantly surrounded by questions,
expectations, and a feeling of uncertainty regarding his future, Benjamin
begins to drift. He loses himself in a downward
spiral, wearily resulting in an affair with his father’s coworker’s temptress
of a wife, Mrs. Robinson (Anne Bancroft).
When
his parents, oblivious to their son’s affair, set him up on a date with the
Robinson’s daughter, Elaine (Katharine Ross), Benjamin falls for her and
decides to end the affair with her mother.
Inevitably, Elaine finds out about the affair, and severs all ties
connecting to Benjamin. In a classic,
yet unique, romantic comedy plotline, Benjamin must prove himself worthy of the
love that he desires by fighting against the refusal of Elaine, her angry
father, and her bitter mother.
At times, The Graduate’s imaginative, yet realistic plot is awkwardly humorous,
while other scenes are painfully depressing.
Oscar winning director Mike Nichols masterfully extracts an emotional
response from the audience through a combination of this relatable plotline and
grade-A acting.
The awkwardness that Hoffman radiates
throughout the majority of the movie is beautifully agonizing. One of the most memorable moments exhibiting
this awkward feeling is the classic scene where Mrs. Robinson first tries to
entice Benjamin, and he uncomfortably asks her “Mrs. Robinson, you’re trying to
seduce me…Aren’t you?” It is this
awkwardness that makes the film so real.
After all, I can’t imagine that most people would respond in a suave
manner to the advances of an older, attractive, not to mention married, family friend.
In addition to making the movie
relatable, the uncomfortable exchanges and scenarios throughout the film are nothing
short of hilarious. The movie is made up
of a very dry sense of humor, which admittedly might turn off any audience
member who does not find humor in non-slapstick moments. I couldn’t help but laugh though watching confused
Benjamin react to his surroundings.
The audience is also able to feel
the character’s depression through the powerful combination of acting and musical
selection. The reoccurring blank stare
seen on Benjamin’s face in many scenes of the movie, working together with
Simon & Garfunkel’s hits like The
Sounds of Silence and Scarborough Fair, creates
haunting clips of cinematography. The
combination of the two allows the audience to feel lost in Benjamin’s loneliness.
The
Graduate receives its fame
and acclaim because there comes a point in everyone’s lives where they have to
ask themselves the inevitable question:
What next? The movie is a classic
coming-of-age story that I suggest to anyone, especially young adults, who are
looking to find their place because sometimes, it’s comforting to know that you
are not alone on the journey.
