Older but good film

Rating: 8/10 (16 September 2012)

The graduate is a good comedy. This film was produced in 1967 by Mike Nichols and had a fabulous soundtrack. The music played is perfect for this film and it is played at just the right moments. This movie stars a very young Dustin Hoffman as Ben Braddock. Ben is the main character in this film. The movie's theme is about Ben's search for what he wants to do with his life. He is just out of college and he is lost. He has no idea what he wants to do with his life. His parents are so proud of him and they do so many things for him but, he has no interest in anything. His parents are played by William Daniels and Elizabeth Wilson. Ben is rather bored with his life when the opportunity to have an affair with a family friend comes along. He is rather seduced by the friend whom is an older lady named Mrs. Robinson. Mrs. Robinson is played by Anne Bancroft. He ends up going out on a date with Mrs. Robinson's daughter, Elaine, who is played by Katherine Ross. Ben quickly falls for Elaine and his has nothing but trouble from there. Elaine's father, Mr. Robinson, played by Murray Hamilton wants to strangle him and takes his daughter away to get married to someone else.
When Ben first gets home, there is a party there waiting on him. The panning of the camera makes it seem as though everyone is in Ben's face and coming at him at once. It also shows that he has no interest in anything anybody has to say. There were many motifs that contributed to this film's theme. At times, it was hilarious and other times it made you feel just how the characters were feeling. There is one scene when Ben's parents make him put on a Scuba Diving outfit and go into the pool. He does not want to but he is forced to by his parents. The camera in the water and the way it was shown was terrific. It made you feel as though you were in the water and feeling the same feelings that Ben was suffering from. One thing that I thought was strange about this film was the cover of the video box. It shows Mrs. Robinson putting her hose on with Ben in the background. The cover of this film reminds me of a different type of comedy. The type of comedy about teens partying and getting into trouble. It reminded me of the movie "The Bachelor Party" starring Tom Hanks and the Porky series. The Bachelor Party was a great film but, it is nothing like The Graduate. The cover really does not do the movie justice. This film was very well produced. The producer did a great job showing the theme. This was shown many times in the beginning of the film. The way Ben is laying around the house and in the pool makes it very clear. Many of his expressions also show this.