Plot, Theme, and Techniques

Rating: 8/10 (5 February 2011)

The Plot: "Ben" played by Dustin Hoffman begins an affair with an older woman "Mrs. Robinson" played by Anne Bancroft. Through this affair, Ben begins to grow in his personal life after college by finding himself. The compromising situations occur throughout the film and Ben becomes emotionally restrained.
The Theme: The theme is the coming of age after college life. The affair between Ben and Mrs. Robinson is the plot, but the emotions and growing direction of Ben's life is the theme. The soundtrack, by Simon & Garfunkel adds to Ben's emotional state and expectations from his parents.
The plot is further compromised when Mr. Robinson continually tries to set Ben up with Elaine, their daughter. Elaine is an insightful character that falls for Ben until the affair with her mother is discovered. This plot ties into the theme by further confusing Ben's emotional state.
Another film with relevance to The Graduate is Footloose. Although, the relationship is not between an older woman but a preacher's daughter. Footloose follows forbidden love between two characters in a small town. A full-length soundtrack, similar to the one used in The Graduate, helps to develop the characters and emotions.
One technique used in The Graduate is color. This film would not be as effective if filmed in black and white. During a scene in which Ben's father has developed a scuba diving suit, Ben must plunge into a pool to show how the suit operates. The audience sees Ben in a black suit and mask with an air tank, submerging into a brilliant blue pool. Once in the water, Ben must acquaint himself with remaining underwater for a period of time. The camera zooms out and the audience is able to see the whole pool with Ben standing on the bottom. If filmed in black and white, this scene would not have been as emotionally powerful.
Another technique used throughout the film is sound. Provided by Paul Simon via Simon & Garfunkel, the music adds to Ben's turmoil of entering adulthood. Many scenes are enhanced emotionally by the music. Lighting is effective in bedroom scenes by being completely black. Ben prefers not to have the lights on because he is awkward and nervous.
Each technique is evaluated to make The Graduate one of the greatest films of all time. Recently, it has come to my attention that several acquaintances have experienced similar situations to that of Ben's and Mrs. Robinson. While seeming taboo during the time the film, late 1960's early 1970's, The Graduate explored different perceptions of the coming of age era.