The Graduate

Director: Mike Nichols
Starring: Dustin Hoffmann, Anne Bancroft, Katherine Ross
Viewed: On DVD



Feeling worried? Don't know what the point of life is? Concerned about your future? If you're not, watch The Graduate and you will be.

The brilliantly awkward Dustin Hoffmann plays Benjamin, a College grad who's disgusted with his parents and isn't sure what to do with his life. Bored out of his mind, he takes up an affair with his dad's business partner's wife, the seductive Mrs Robinson (Anne Bancroft) despite the fact its sending him nowhere fast. Ben whiles away the summer in bed with Mrs Robinson, only breaking off the relationship so that he can go out with Elaine, the Robinsons' daughter. True, it's pretty creepy, but Hoffmann creates such a pathetic yet likeable character, dumping your 40-year old ex for her 20 year old daughter seems almost logical.

Anne Bancroft won an Oscar for her portrayal of the lonely, jealous and ultimately vindictive housewife and she deserved every bit of it. She played a MILF of the 60s- Mrs Robinson is a controlling and manipulative woman, and yet Bancroft makes her seem vulnerable as well as dangerous. As I have mentioned, Dustin Hoffmann is also incredible, but in a different way. He looks like he's stumbled in out of nowhere and hasn't the slightest clue what's going on and doesn't really care. And amazingly, it works. He actually made The Graduate a funnier film than I thought it would be- and it is surprisingly hilarious for a movie with such a depressing outlook- but he also makes us think, too. He evokes great empathy for a chracter that could have been utterly repellent. Ben becomes more decisive as the film progresses, but you are still left with the feeling that it will all come to nothing.

I felt constantly reminded throughout this movie that no matter what one does, we are doomed to live a pointless existence burdened by petty problems and by our own emotions. Deep. Yeah, think about it. This could all be very pretentious and boring, but an array of fascinating camera techniques, interesting performances and the wonderfully ironic and funny dialogue held my attention, along with the memorable, ghostly, upbeat, mysterious and very appropriate songs of Simon and Garfunkel in the soundtrack.

I really cannot fault this film- it looks good and sounds good (although its definitely not feel-good). The performances are close to perfect, although Katherine Ross could have played a slightly stronger Elaine. The dialogue all sounds so natural thanks to the script, performances and some very good improv. This is a movie that very much deserves its reputation as one of the greatest films of all time.

Rating: 10

Verdict: Watching The Graduate is a very thought-provoking and moving experience that you will not regret.


Did I misinterpret The Graduate (like that guy from 500 Days of Summer)? Give me your take on it in the comments section.