The Graduate (1967)-"PG"

Run Time:105 minutes

4 stars out of 4

Mike Nichols's 1967 movie, The Graduate, originally a 1962 Charles Webb book that was adapted for the screen by Buck Henry, is one of the most famous films of the 1960's. The film catapulted both Dustin Hoffman and Katherine Ross into stardom, pushed the limits of what was acceptable in film at the time, and changed the way soundtracks were done with the music of Simon and Garfunkel. Truly a film that represented the woes and dilemmas of an entire generation, The Graduate still stands today as a fantastic example of the universal anxiety about the future and conformity that everyone must deal with in growing up. The plot centers on Benjamin Braddock (played by Hoffman) and his coming to grips with the harsh reality of the real world after graduating from college. His parents want him to continue on to graduate school and become a professional. A family friend lets Benjamin know that the real future lies in one word: "Plastics." Benjamin, on the other hand, is not so sure of what he wants to do with his life. His life becomes only more complicated when he becomes entrapped in an affair with Mrs. Robinson (Anne Bancroft), the mother of one of his old high school classmates. Benjamin then makes the even greater mistake of falling in love with her daughter, Elaine (Katherine Ross). When Ben admits to Elaine what is going on, his relationships with women come to a crashing end. Ben resolves to marry Elaine despite the situation and rescues her at the last minute from a forced marriage with a young doctor. The two escape from the church and ride off together to an uncertain future in the back of a yellow bus. In making this film, Mike Nichols perfectly captured the gap in both age and state of mind between young adults, like Ben, and their parents. At twenty-one, when the possibilities in life are endless, who wants to be trapped in a world where "plastics" loom as your exciting future. Moments in the film like that really illustrate that anxiety about the future and make the film powerful, especially to young people who are at Benjamin's stage in life. Nichols also makes a very strong point about conforming to the rules of society. When Mrs. Robinson was Ben's age, she fell victim to rules of society and was forced into a loveless marriage by the taboo of pre-marital pregnancy. As Elaine is fleeing the marriage, her mother calls out, "it's too late." Elaine replies, "Not for me." Benjamin then literally traps an entire crowd of adults inside a church by barring the door with a cross, while he and Elaine escape. That kind of symbolism is poignant as well as comedic, because despite their temporary freedom, we feel that it may very well be only a matter of time before the youthful spirits of both Ben and Elaine slip into the drudgery of the adult world. In my opinion, it is this uncertainty at the end that makes the film truly great and representative of a generation. No one can remain a rebel forever. Just look at the liberal Hippy generation of the 60's who grew up, only to fall in line, make money, and vote Republican.