A Sixties Art Film

Rating: 7/10 (8 June 2005)

This film faithfully follows the story of the novel by Charles Webb.
During the mid to late sixties art films were being produced by Hollywood as the family stayed at home watching television. Some of these films were appalling: some were excellent. The Graduate is one of the latter group.
So you go to university, you get your degree, and then? Your parents have a nice house with a swimming pool in the garden and can afford to give you a sports car for your birthday. What do you do with your life? Well, there is always the wife of your father's business partner...
There are some memorable scenes such as the ones shot through the scuba gear; or when Benjamin, complete with shades and cigarette, takes Elaine to the strip club for their first date; or when the landlord tells Benjamin, whose face is all lathered up: "I want you out of here!"
Hoffman looks suitably dejected and confused; and Anne Bancroft turns in a good performance as Mrs Robinson. Also superb, in a bit part, is the guy who plays the desk clerk.
On the downside, the hallmark of Charles Webb's works is that two people can be talking to one another and yet not communicating at all. This is missing from the film version, and the film is all the poorer because of it.