The Graduate (1992)

Film Studies Review

This film is about a guy name Benjamin who just gets home from a college. He is very worried about his future, and during a party that his parents for him, this makes him vulnerable to being seduced by Mrs. Robinson. She is married to Ben's father's business partner, and has known Ben for his whole life. Although, when she lures Ben into her home the first time, she is unsuccessful in seducing him. Eventually he gives into her, and they have affairs for many months. Elaine Robinson, Mrs. Robinson's daughter, comes back from school and Ben's parents set up a date between the two young adults. Ben ends up falling in love with Elaine, which makes Mrs. Robinson furious. Elaine then finds out about the affair and heads back to school. Knowing that Elaine is the one for him, Ben goes to find her at her school and tries to get her to marry him. It does work, but Mr. Robinson steps in and takes Elaine and tries to marry her off to some other guy. In a last hope of desperation, Ben searches for Elaine before she gets married. When he does find her the vows are already said, but Ben interrupts the wedding anyway. Then, Elaine yells out to Ben, he fights his way to her, and whisks her away into a bus. After they calm down, the movie with sincere expressions on their faces. "The Graduate" was a very tasteful film. I found it to be quite funny and that the story could basically fit our time period, not just the 60's. This characteristic is not commonly found in movies that were made more then four decades ago. This could be contributed to that the movie didn't give much of any relation from the events of the plot to the time period it was set. It also had a very complicated story. The acting was quite superb. I did not notice one character that seemed awkward or that I didn't like. Dustin Hoffman and Anne Boncroft (Ben and Mrs. Robinson) acted remarkably well especially when I heard that they were around the same age. in the film, Ben seems to be much younger then Mrs. Robinson. Not just in appearance, but also in the way that they acted. Nervous young Ben as compared to calm uncaring Mrs. Robinson. All the characters in this movie did very well in getting into their roles. The feelings and moods of the film were portrayed quite well. You could tell what Ben was feeling just by the every once and while shots of him either on a plane or on the bottom of the pool. He looked like he was lost in his own mind. The music was also very important to showing the mood of the story, and the soundtrack is quite amazing if I do say so myself. The film kept me interested because of how the characters grow with the story and the plot. If you just looked at the characters at the beginning of the movie and the end you can see that they all have changed a lot. In short, I really enjoy this movie and I will recommend it many people that I know. Plus, if they don't like it they at least have to respect the music in it. I have to say I think this is my favorite film from the 60's. September 28, 2008

Classic film

I was a kid when the film was released.
Seeing it years later I think it is a great film.
Course I was too young so I did not see the impact of the film then.

NOT a great DVD package here.
Old interview with Dustin. Why was there not current interviews with the cast & crew still alive?

Package CLAIMED there was a collectible booklet. Where?
Would have liked to have read it.

Rating for film NOT DVD package
August 9, 2008

Good Film But Poor DVD!

This is as good as black comedies come and Dustin Hoffman shows us just how great an actor he is even all those years ago. I was impressed also with the great direction and especially the way the scenes transition from one to the next; inspired work indeed. In some ways the film is also touching as it reveals that behind the facade of prosperity and family wholesomeness lies some very unhappy and unfulfilled lives.

Hoffman's character feels lost as despite achieving all that society tells him is important i.e. graduating with top honours and a letter in sport from a top university he still feels empty and unfulfilled seeking meaning in life and a way out of a depression that stems from knowing that he doesn't have the answers. Mrs Robinson feels the same way being in a loveless marriage and seeking a way out but has given up not having the strength and courage to go against the mainstream view of what she has to be. The scene at the end when her daughter tells her that it's not too late for her to escape from the straight-jacket of the kind of life her parents want for her is what made the whole film. Hoffman and Ross' characters having the courage to go against the mainstream, to rebel and to live life rather than to be a slave to the mainstream view of what it should be. Very 60s ideology indeed and hence a very apt movie for the times.

This DVD though is poor and you should wait for the inevitable hopefully much better picture and sound quality restored Blu-ray version to come out. Sonically, good surround sound options DTS or Dolby 5.1 at a minimum plus more special features should be included in that release. For now, give this DVD version a miss and save the bucks for the restored version. July 27, 2008

However, upon further review...

This is an atypical review for me folks. Rather than review this classic film, which most people have already either seen or heard about, I wanted to entice you fans out there to post some commentary on some of the points I have covered below. After all, Amazon does tell us to 'make it fun'!

We all know that this is one of those no-brainer, without-a-doubt comedy classics that is seemingly above reproach (a la "Some Like It Hot", "Annie Hall", "Tootsie", Dr. Strangelove", etc...). However, after viewing this one yet AGAIN the other night (my guess is, I've seen this film over twenty times now), I couldn't help but pose these questions: (spoiler alert)

1) Would the film be as great w/out the music of Simon & Garfunkel? In my opinion, few film soundtracks/scores have had a greater impact than this one (not including musicals of course).
2) What did Mrs. Robinson find so alluring about Benjamin? Why would a woman in her position do something so self-destructive when she didn't even seem like she was all that attracted to Benjamin in the first place? If she was just out for some casual sex w/ a young, pretty boy toy why would she choose to do it w/ one of her best friend's sons?
3) How do you explain the beautiful, intelligent, and wholesome character of Elaine Robinson (Katherine Ross) falling in love w/ the shallow, uncharismatic, aloof Benjamin? They only went on one date and he took her to a strip club for God sakes!!! Then he begins to stalk her! To all you young cats out there, I can tell you that this approach usually will get you thrown into prison and/or getting your butt kicked by the girl's father, brother, or friends.
4) Would any woman, no matter what the circumstances, want to get involved with a guy who just spent the last several months making the beast w/ two backs w/ her mother? Not only is it completely repulsive and vulgar, but how do you ever forget about something like that, let alone forgive it? The thought of it makes my skin crawl.
5) How do you propose to a woman you barely know? How does that woman even remotely take you seriously (we are talking about a beautiful, well-to-do, educated young woman w/ seemingly everything going for her)? And that's not even taking into account Ben's sordid affair w/ mom.
6) Supposedly Benjamin is rebelling against conformity and the conventional, artificial (PLASTICS!) world that his affluent parents and their friends subscribe to. However, he has no problems still living at home, laying on a raft all day in their pool drinking beer and working on his tan. To me, that's not being a rebel, that's being a spoiled, rich kid bum!
7) And last, but certainly not least (for I could go on for days), are there really any endearing characteristics about Benjamin at all? To me, he is a lazy, spoiled, self-absorbed, unambitious, aloof, whiny loner w/ almost zero charisma. The guy doesn't have one friend! For example, at his graduation party there was not one person there his own age. The guy is completely anti-social to everyone he meets.

Yet, despite the contrived love story and illicit romance, this film does work and is quite entertaining, mainly because of the great cinematography, writing, music, directing and acting. In my humble opinion, Bancroft stole the show and I only wish she had more time on screen. And Katherine Ross not only possesses the prettiest brown eyes you'll ever see, but by the end of the film we all can't help but to fall in love w/ her winsome, wholesome ways.
July 23, 2008

Timeless Work of Art

1967 was a huge year for film. In my opinion, the best film of that year was Mike Nichols' "The Graduate". It was the most unique film of its time and is now considered a timeless classic.

Aside from it's release date, costumes, props and the Simon & Garfunkel soundtrack place this film in the 60s. What makes it a timeless classic is that nothing dates it, we see no Vietnam War and no hippies. Also the themes from this film, coming of age, rebellion (against parents, against the status quo) and alienation all still apply today.

The acting and cinematography make this film a masterful work of art. Dustin Hoffman accurately portrayed a 21 year old college graduate with a life full of uncertainty. He was awkward and dryly funny. Director of photography Robert Surtees added to the uncertainty with inventive cinematography, always placing Ben to the left or right. Not too mention, the always memorable "leg" shot.

"The Graduate" is a must have movie for all film buffs. If you don't have it, I highly recommend you get a copy. July 16, 2008

More reviews at Amazon.com ...