The Graduate

Rating: 8/10 (15 August 2006)

It may be odd to think nowadays that this film changed opinions of sex in films, but then again, you can see how with the premise, from Oscar, BAFTA and Golden Globe director Mike Nichols (The Birdcage, Closer). Basically confused 21-year-old Benjamin Braddock (BAFTA and Golden Globe - and nominated, and Oscar nominated Dustin Hoffman, in his debut role) has just graduated from college, and his parents expect him to do great things. At his "Homecoming" party, the wife of his father's business partner, Mrs. Robinson (Golden Globe winning, and Oscar and BAFTA nominated Anne Bancroft) seems like she is trying to seduce Ben, which she denies, but she gets him to drive her home, and a glimpse of her naked body (very quick flashes). Ben does give in to her desire for him, and so starts an affair at a hotel, and continues many times after, but things will get complicated when he finds himself falling for Mrs. Robinson's daughter, Elaine (Golden Globe nominated, and Oscar and BAFTA nominated Katharine Ross). Ben does tell Elaine he was sleeping with an older woman, and she is traumatised when she realises it's her own mother, and she therefore goes ahead with a wedding to guy she doesn't truly love as much. In the end, a great ending I might add, Ben tracks Elaine's church down, and he rushes to it to get his true love back, and even though she has got married, she still knows Ben is the right guy, and they both run out catching the bus. Also starring William Daniels as Mr. Braddock, Jaws' Murray Hamilton as Mr. Robinson and Elizabeth Wilson as Mrs. Braddock. Hoffman is very good in his first leading role, Bancroft adds sauciness to the story, the story itself is nothing but fantastic, and the film is accompanied by some good songs by (Paul) Simon and (Art) Garfunkel, a very good classic satirical comedy drama. It was nominated the Oscars for Best Cinematography, Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium and Best Picture, it won the BAFTAs for Best Film, Best Film Editing and Best Screenplay, and it won the Golden Globes for Best Motion Picture - Musical/Comedy, and it was nominated for Best Screenplay. Dustin Hoffman was number 24 on The 100 Greatest Movie Stars, and he was number 21 on The World's Greatest Actor, Simon and Garfunkel's "Mrs. Robinson" was number 6 on 100 Years, 100 Songs, the film was number 63 ("Mrs. Robinson, you're trying to seduce me. Aren't you?") and number 42 ("Plastics.") on 100 Years, 100 Quotes, it was number 52 on 100 Years, 100 Passions, it was number 9 on 100 Years, 100 Laughs, it was number 7 on 100 Years, 100 Movies, and it was number 35 on The 100 Greatest Films. Very good!