Good job Mrs. Robinson!

Rating: 9/10 (10 September 1999)

When people think of the movie that gave the boost to Dustin Hoffman's career, they think of "The graduate" which is totally correct in my opinion. However, even though he got a nomination for his role as Ben Braddock, and considering the fact that he is my favorite actor, I must admit that I believe he did such a good job in the movie because he was acting with one of the best actresses of all-time, Anne Bancroft. I believe that the team they made is really what makes this movie an American classic.
Ben Braddock (Hoffman) has just graduated and so his parents decide to host a grand party in his honor and attending the party is Mrs. Robinson (Bancroft). She manages to get Braddock to take her home and even gets him trapped in her daughter's bedroom as she stands totally naked in front of him. Completely out of control, Braddock tries to break out of the room but Mrs. Robinson keeps him inside explaining to him that if he ever wants her services, all he has to do is call her.
The next week, Braddock calls Mrs. Robinson and asks her to spend a night with him at a motel. She agrees under the one condition which is that he must never take her daughter out on a date. However, when Mrs. Robinson's daughter (Katharine Ross) returns home from college, Ben's father tells his son he should take her out on a date just out of courtesy and this is when everything starts screwing up.
Fine performances by Bancroft, Hoffman, and Ross, great directing by Nichols, and excellent music by "Simon and Garfunkel" are what make this one superb. The only flaw the movie has is a rather simple dialogue but the originality of the script is so good that it helps back-up the movie's only weak spot. Highly recommended.