The Graduate

Rating: Null/10 (27 January 2006)

The Graduate is about a boy trying to become a man. He has recently graduated from college and has feelings that many of us have felt at some point in our lives. He has no idea what he wants to do for the rest of his life. When he returns home he is greeted by a crowd of excited family friends who he wants nothing to do with. He is uninterested and anxious. However, when the attractive and older Mrs. Robinson attempts to seduce Benjamin Braddock (played by Dustin Hoffman), there is a glimpse of excitement. Benjamin is fully taken care of in regards to monetary things, however he needs something to keep him busy while he figures out the rest of his life.
There is a sense that Benjamin is trapped no matter what he tries to do. Water imagery in the film is a symbol for this entrapment. When his parents make him try out a new scuba suit, he is trapped inside, unable to hear what his family is saying. He is also trapped, and pushed down by his father, under the water in the pool. Benjamin gets up the courage to call Mrs. Robinson and meets her at a hotel. After this sexual encounter with Mrs. Robinson, Benjamin is found lying on a raft above the surface of the water. He can breathe freely and is happier above the water rather than trapped below it.
Benjamin continually acts as though something is wrong. Things are never quit right with Mrs. Robinson. He feels guilty and nervous and this shows through very clearly by how awkward he acts around everyone. Throughout the entire film he refers to this older women as Mrs. Robinson and refuses to call her by her first name even though he is having an affair with her. At one point though, he tries to open up to her and forces her to talk with him. She is not at all interested and it is apparent she only wants him for one thing. The two quickly realize that talking is not for them and return to their previous routine.
Throughout the film Benjamin is uncomfortable with everyone he interacts with, until he meets Elaine, Mrs. Robinson's daughter. His parents force him to ask Elaine out and Mrs. Robinson is very angry with Benjamin for going through with it. However, Benjamin falls in love with her and is again trapped when he has to tell Elaine the truth about her mother. As he is revealing the truth there is rain water pouring down his face; this is just another way in which Benjamin is trapped and suffocated under water.
The ending of the movie seems like the fairytale ending at first glance. He gets the girl and they run away together. However, as they are riding away at the back of a bus they are once again struck with nervousness and uncertainty. There is this overwhelming question they need to figure out  what next? Benjamin ends up exactly where he started and has no idea what he's supposed to do or where he's supposed to go.