Timeless masterpiece

Rating: 10/10 (28 April 2020)

No only is 'The graduate' a brilliant satire, it is also a strange yet comforting tale of a confused and overwhelmed man. Dustin Hoffman delivers a hilarious performance as Benjamin, a graduate without any clear plan or structure to his life. Following a party with his parent's friends, Benjamin is approached by 'Mrs Robinson', a middle aged woman in a surprisingly similar situation to Benjamin himself. The similarities between these characters come from their loneliness; Mrs Robinson doesn't sleep with her husband anymore and Benjamin struggles to find anyone he can relate to. When Mrs Robinson tells Benjamin that she is 'available', a bizarre affair ensues. The comedic situation is further developed when Benjamin takes an interest in Mrs Robinson's daughter...
The majority of the humour in this film comes from Hoffman's character. When Benjamin is first approached by Mrs Robinson, he seems intimidated by her interest in him. Hoffman perfectly displays Benjamin's social awkwardness- "I think you're the most attractive of all my parent's friends." Part of the reason why many are so fond of this movie is the relatability of Benjamin. We can all identify a moment in our lives where we have felt like him.
The warmth of the story is emphasised by an iconic soundtrack from Simon and Garfunkel, the most notable song of which, being 'Mrs Robinson'. The soundtrack elevates simple moments within the film into highly expressive moments of cinema.
'The Graduate' mixes comedy with art. On the one hand, you are laughing at the absurdity of of Benjamin's affair, yet you are also captivated by the stunning cinematography by Robert Surtees. 'The Graduate' is a film that I have and will come back to time and time again.