But the best parts are . . .

Rating: 10/10 (21 October 1998)

I must have seen this movie three dozen times, and every time I find something new in it. While the script is wonderful, the acting first-rate, and the soundtrack evocative and beautiful, I still have to say that the best parts of The Graduate are the cinematography and editing. During the long musical interlude halfway through, we watch Benjamin drift aimlessly from one assignation with Mrs. Robinson to another, lying to himself, lying to his parents, just plain lying . . . around. He walks through a door in the hotel room to find himself in his parent's den. Then he walks from the den into the hotel room--and so on. I don't think a director has ever evoked the pointlessness of a character's life better than Mike Nichols does in this one scene.
Also, when Benjamin finally tells Elaine who the married woman is, the camera slowly pulls her face into focus as she realizes the impact of his words. It just doesn't get any better than this.
Two tidbits: (1) I don't think the movie is dated at all; and (2) isn't it more than cool that we never find out Mrs. Robinson's first name?