The Sound of Simon and Garfunkel

Rating: 8/10 (15 December 2010)

The Graduate is a great movie for many reasons, one reason that may commonly be overlooked is its clever use of sound. The opening dialogue between Dustin Hoffman's character Ben and his father is accompanied by the diagetic ambient sound of the fish tank suggesting that Ben's thoughts are in another place. A similar effect is achieved during the scene where Ben must try on his Scuba suit for his parents party. While he is underwater the sound of his parents and friends fades away and all you hear is the bubbling mask and his breath. The soundtrack is mostly Simon and Garfunkel songs played during crucial scenes and transitions. There is a lot of nicely done match cuts including one memorable one where Ben is jumping up out of his pool and then it cuts to him diving into bed with his older mistress Mrs. Robinson.