Saturday, September 4, 2010

The Graduate (1967)

DIRECTOR: Mike Nichols
STUDIO: Embassy Pictures
STARRING: Anne Bancroft, Dustin Hoffman, Katharine Ross
RATING: PG
GENRE: Drama, Comedy, Romance


GRADE: A


It's hard to think what happened in 70s that made comedies in the 1960s and 1980s so different! Not better, nor worse, just polar opposites! Nonetheless, this movie isn't really a comedy, but I loved it all the same!!

Out of all the films I have ever watched, this one probably had the most symbolism, which I ADORED. I love it when the film makes you think more than an average one does, and it allows you to explore your mind.

This movie is about this guy, Benjamin, who just graduated from college, and doesn't really know what to do, career-wise, while his parents are concerned for his unknown future. An old family friend, Mrs. Robinson (We all know the song "...here's to you, Ms. Robinson...") starts to fatally get attracted to Benjamin, and seduces him. But, meanwhile, he starts to fall for her daughter, who has no idea about the affair!

The director of cinematography was phenominal! You connected with Benjamin and all the stress and excitement that was thrust upon him with this movie. The angles and lights and shadows created the symbolism needed for any particular scene. For some reason, Dustin Hoffman gets a lot of negative reviews for his performance, but his dry humor makes it all the more easy to laugh at.

It's a great movie, that is referenced for parodied many times in popular movies and shows. I know of one "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" episode, that parallels this almost completely! I'm sure you'd recognize at least one scene or line from this film.

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