The Graduate
THE GRADUATE: A CLASSIC TO BE SAVORED
The Graduate is Mike Nichols’ 1967 classic tale of a young man having an affair with an older woman. This was a breakout role for Dustin Hoffman with Anne Bancroft playing the seductress Mrs. Robinson. It has unforgettable movie quotes with a soundtrack to die for done by Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel. And the visual direction of the film immortalizes the 60’s.
Benjamin Braddock (Dustin Hoffman) has just graduated from college. He doesn’t know where his life is taking him and feels lost. When he returns home to California his parents throw him a party. Mrs. Robinson (Anne Bancroft), a friend of the family, asks him to take her home as her husband has left the party. When he does, she offers herself to him and lets him know that he can have her anytime. Benjamin doesn’t know who to turn to in his confusion over his life. He begins an affair with Mrs. Robinson. He then takes her daughter Elaine (Katharine Ross) out on a date after a lot of urging from his parents. They fall in love. This sets a backlash onto Benjamin who feels the wrath of Mrs. Robinson.
The Graduate set a new precedent with the younger man, older woman story. It made a star of Dustin Hoffman. He transforms from a dweebish boy, unsure of himself to a cool, confident man who knows what he wants. Anne Bancroft is bewitching and desperate at the same time. This movie was history in the making with memorable quotes. These include “Mrs. Robinson, you are trying to seduce me” to “I want to say one word to you. Just one word….Plastics.” Simon and Garfunkel established themselves throughout the world with their haunting and mellow soundtrack to this dark love story. Not just for the infamous “Mrs. Robinson” but for others such as “The Sounds of Silence.” Visuals such as architecture and costumes make this movie a period piece. Upper class California homes with Mod like decoration give it its cool, groovy vibe. Mrs. Robinson’s costumes such as the leopard print jacket and mini shift dresses show what was on the fashion scene at that time.
The film has everyday life situations that are handled in a very realistic manner. Adultery and confusion about one’s future can be brushed under the rug with a movie that wants to keep a light tone. The Graduate is not that film and does more than entertain its audience.
Mike Nichols won an Oscar for his direction of The Graduate and you can see why. It is a flawless film to watch with a great cast and story to boot. People have been trying to copy it ever since.
Report Card:
Story-A
Acting-A
Visuals-A
Originality/Innovation-A
Enjoyability Grade–A
DVD Extras-C
Overall Grade-A
|
