Review
The Graduate
- Director
- Mike Nichols
- Year
- 1967
- Rating
- Reviewed by
- Gon Curiel a.k.a. Groucho
- Review date
- Saturday, September 22, 2001
During his welcome party, in which Ben seems to be and is in the fact the only person out of place, Mrs. Robinson (Anne Bancroft), the only adult in the scene with more than one dimension, asks Ben for a ride home and then offers him an affair completely free of worries. Thus begins an odyssey in the life of Ben, whose perspectives completely change as he suddenly joins a world of changing emotions and games of pleasure usually prohibited. Sex with Mrs. Robinson might be his only way to escape a world of adults who always expect something of him different from what he wants.
Right when Ben thinks that he’s found one meaning for his life and one thing to look forward to, Elaine Robinson (Katharine Ross), Mrs. Robinson’s daughter, appears into the scene. Now the subject of his forbidden and secret activity is the cause of another prohibition, which is even more tempting. Could that be the reason why Ben is willing to give everything up for this young woman?
The Graduate is the classic 1967 adaptation of Charles Webb’s novel about the alienation of young people in a world of expectations that “must” be fulfilled. Benjamin Braddock embodies the legion of youngsters who manage to succeed in their own world but find themselves lost in the “real” world, while maintaining their own intelligence, integrity and freedom of will. Mrs. Robinson is prohibition, a contrast to all other adults (who are portrayed here mostly as caricatures) who go by the book, and an irresistible escape for young Ben. And Elaine is love: that stupid, senseless feeling that no young lad can resist; that impulse that is preferable to a solid present and a clear future.
While perfectly capturing the feeling of the late 60s, this seriocomic film achieves to understand and translate the interiors of a young man’s mind. Mike Nichols perfectly directs a simple story with great background, using inventive camerawork with deep, poignant results. The song score by Simon and Garfunkel couldn’t be more helpful, expressing in words and music what this story is all about.
The three leads are great in the roles that could very well be their most memorable.
The final scene and especially the final shot are classics by themselves. This film is a must.
“Mrs. Robinson, you're trying to seduce me... aren't you?”
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Comments
Tevez wrote at 6/22/2002:
Groucho... like most of the times.... this is a GREAT review, of an even greater movie. Jacinda wrote at 6/22/2002:
Thanks Grouch for this fantastic review. I really enjoyed reading it. You mentioned quite a few aspects I had not thought of. I expected you guys to love the movie - but who doesn't. And who wouldn't have fallen for Mrs. Robinson? ;)Will rent the DVD soon to watch it again. Thanks for reminding me of this great movie.
Jacinda wrote at 6/22/2002:
Just watched the movie again on DVD and noticed quite a few things.First of all, I didn't remember that the movie had such a surreal atmosphere to it. Just loved it. And I wanted to ask you guys for your male perspective on the movie. ;) I tried to figure out Mrs. Robinson's motivations. In the beginning she appeared to be lost in society just like Ben. This affair was an escape for her. But in the end she became quite cruel and just like all the other adults. I thought she acted like this because her feelings had been hurt but maybe there is more to it. Any ideas?
Groucho wrote at 6/22/2002:
I believe Mrs. Robinson is as vulnerable as Ben, only disguised as a normal adult. However, towards the end she becomes as much a caricature as all other adults, while her husband surprises us by becoming human and nearly crying in Ben's room.My scope on that is that no one is completely one-sided. Every person has a depth. But they all have a disguise as well. We only had the chance to meet the real Mrs. Robinson, but Mr. McGuire, Mr. Braddock and everyone else have their depth I'm sure. They probably also have their personal issues and affairs which are simply not shown here.
Mrs. Robinson's feelings had in fact been hurt and she decided to make up everything with her daughter, thus became a "common" mother and supported her to marry her new boyfriend.
Was that the answer you were looking for, Jacinda? Anyone else?
Morris wrote at 6/22/2002:
I agree with your perspectives. Part of the greatness of this movie lies in the way the characters are so complex. I haven't seen the movie for a while, but I've always kind of thought Mrs. Robinson to be a woman in the verge of a midlife crisis wanting to do something different and also getting away from the monotony of life. Just like Benjamin, in a way. But then her true-self comes out and we notice how she's also like every other adult in the movie. That's the whole point, I think. Jacinda wrote at 6/22/2002:
Thanks for your comments. Now I know I am not the only one seeing a harsh change in her attitude. I thought she was very likeable when she seduced Ben. ;)New comments are temporarily disabled
Morris wrote at 6/22/2002:
I loved this movie because of what it embodied. I think it perfectly captures that uncertainty of every young man about their future and what the world wants from them. That classic pool scene says it all, not to mention the classic finale. Truly poignant.