A Cinematic Watershed

Rating: 10/10 (20 September 2015)

1967: arguably one of the greatest year for movie-goers across the globe enjoying classics such as Cool Hand Luke, Bonnie & Clyde and the Jungle Book. But audiences flocking to see Mike Nichol's 'The Graduate' in such huge numbers that it remains the highest grossing film of '67. But why did this modest drama starring unknown an new- comer - Dustin Hoffman - captivate society?
The Graduate epitomises the sexual revolution in the most elegant yet audacious manner. The film oozes symbolism from the fantastic screenplay to the striking direction. Not only do all three leads - Hoffman, Bancroft and Ross - deliver tremendous performances, but they embody this new generation of post-war America: seeking sexual liberation to fill a void left by the disintegration of familial bonds in the wake of a resort to materialism.
Needless to say, this movie evokes a broad array of reactions within the viewer - only emboldened by the incredibly iconic and poignantly ambiguous finale. You'll by no doubt have heard the soundtrack, which is brilliant in it's own right whilst cementing 'The Graduate' as (in my humble opinion) a perfect film.