Review of The Graduate (1967) by Nikhil N — 18 Sep 2015

For those who do not know much about this 1967 flick, here is an introduction. The Graduate is an American comedy-drama directed by Mike Nichols. It traces the journey of a 20 something college graduate Benjamin, who in a period of depression about his future, is seduced by his father's law partner's wife Mrs Robinson and then goes on to fall in love with her daughter Elaine.

The movie was something of a blockbuster at the time of release, with cine-goers identifying with the character of Benjamin and his confused mind. The movie also found appreciation from critics with noted critic Roger Ebert calling it the "most funny movie I has seen in ages". Over the years, the movie has grown in stature and is now regarded as one of the most influential movies of the "Roaring 60s" and a cult classic. It was selected to preserved in 1996 in the United States National Film Registry for being "culturally, historically or aesthetically significant". It is regularly featured in greatest movie lists including the American Film Institute's Top 100 movies and the Empire magazine's Top 500 movies.

Now, with all this praise showered on this film, and me personally being a fan of Dustin Hoffman after watching Straw Dogs and Rain Man, I was naturally inclined to watch this movie. Add to all this, the impact of this movie in pop culture. To quote an example, in "500 Days Of Summer", a movie I loved, a critical plot turn occurs after both leads watch The Graduate and one of them is significantly moved by the movie while the other isn't. All this got me intrigued and I was pretty excited when I got to watch it yesterday!

AND I WAS DISAPPOINTED.

To my understanding, there is no definite plot; much like the Benjamin state of mind, the movie appears confused. Characters come and go, affairs start and end, and you never know. Even the lead characters are poorly written, with none them having emotional heft. You don't identify with them, neither do you feel for them. I watch Benjamin (Dustin Hoffman) for close to two hours and I don't know what kind of person he is; I am as confused as he is. Anne Bancroft playing Mrs Robinson does a good job as a cold manipulative creep, but the weak writing suffocates her. Same goes with Hoffman. A bunch of talented actors are cowed down by the writing.

Elaine Robinson, played by the beautiful Katherine Ross, brings nothing new to the table. The same old "Damsel In Distress" story. Even characters so simple as that of Benjamin's parents was messed up. They seemed invisible while being visible. Creepy!

Choppy editing made matters worse and I wasn't impressed with the cinematography too.

Now to the good stuff, though there aren't many. The performances, to begin with. Dustin Hoffman gives an excellent performance as a graduate with confusion and uncertainty surrounding his future. His vulnerability is well portrayed, despite the weak writing. Same goes with Anne Bancroft. She excels as the manipulative Mrs Robinson who is unafraid to demand what she wants. "An insufferable creep", as Ebert called her. There are some genuine moments of comedy too in the film, one particularly being when Mrs Robinson attempts to seduce Benjamin. It was hilarious. But such scenes are few and far between.

The music was impressive too, though I thought it was a bit overdone. But what I loved most was the last few seconds of the film (which I will not reveal). It points towards an uncertain future despite a happy ending.

Unfortunately, the movie as a whole failed to impress, and if you ask me, give it a miss. You won't regret it.

I always say that a good movie will emotionally connect with you and you will respond to it. But THE GRADUATE failed, and failed miserably.