Review of The Graduate (1967) by Angus M — 15 Nov 2016

It took me a long time to get around watching this movie and I have to say I'm pretty disappointed. Almost none of the characters portrayed show any depth at all. And I'm not just talking about the caricatures of adults. Elaine Robinson is as volatile in her decisions as she is illogical. Why would she come to him without much negative feelings believing he raped her mother? And then believing him just like that? Furthermore, there is really no good reason for them to get married. They can hardly have had more than 3 meaningful conversations since the beginning of the movie. And for Benjamin, he's not so much in love, as he is obsessed with an idea of a person. The "post-college malaise" which is referred to in the Critics Consensus, is hardly explored deeper than the depth of the family pool when its actually the depth of an ocean, figuratively speaking. It also seems to be one of the main reasons for Benjamin to get married.

The one character of whom I really would have wanted to know more about is Mrs. Robinson. She shows a deep, life like persona which sucks the audience in. But also her character suffers at the end of the movie with forcing her daughter into a marriage alike hers for nor logical reason whatsoever.

The music from Simon & Garfunkel is timeless, no argument there.