The Graduate is a film that was directed by Mike Nichols and wa s released in 1967. The film stars Dustin Hoffman in his first staring role as Benjamin. Benjamin has just recently graduated from college and is now confused about his future. His parents, who are wealthy people, are expecting him to pick a good Grad. School to go to but Benjamin is confused if that is what he wants to do. In midst of this confusion, he finds himself committing adultery with his father’s business partner’s wife, Mrs. Robinson; which he later confesses is the only thing he ever looks forward to. Soon, he finds himself attracted to Elaine, or Miss. Robinson. But the awkwardness of Benjamin’s relation with Elaine’s mother is something Elaine cannot put behind herself. Now, Benjamin has found his purpose; win Elaine’s heart.
The sound for this film was done by legendary rock n’ roll artists Simon and Garfunkel. Their music is quite important in this film as it actually helps progress the film. The film is the first of its kind; youth rebellion film. The film features interesting camera shots and cutting. This film also features overlapping sound and dialogues and action. There are dramatic changes in time through various different match cuts. In simple words, the film was quite diverse and was definitely out of the time standard.
The film caught the attention of a lot of concerned parents as it was the first film where the protagonist of the film was actually the one committing immoral deeds. In fact, it is quite ironic to see how the viewer actually sides with Benjamin and actually hopes that he wins Elaine; even though in reality, such a person would be looked down upon in society. The film, overall, was given positive critique. Director Mike Nichols won the award for Best Director. Also, numerous other nominations were made.
Article
The Graduate: No 16 best arthouse film of all time
Steve Rose
The Guardian,
Taking advantage of the recently relaxed US movie production codes, and taking its comic cue from deadpan British movies like Alfie, The Graduate is one of those turning points in Hollywood history – a break with the previous era and a commentary on it. Dustin Hoffman's Benjamin is every bit an emblem of 60s youth despite never going anywhere near flower power or Vietnam war protests. Instead he observes the vacuous lifestyle stretching ahead of him with disdain.
In an age where alienation is the default teenage stance, Benjamin no longer looks like a counterculture radical, nor does the film's treatment of an Older Woman seem as frank and racy as it must have once done. But The Graduate created a movie mould of which many others have made use. Those Simon and Garfunkel songs are used like mini-music videos within the film, that dry wit is now part of everyday movie vocabulary, and the conflicted young hero who's too smart for his own good is now the norm. Would we have the likes of Wes Anderson or Sofia Coppola without it?
Summary:
Back in the 1930’s, production codes had limited what filmmakers could promote, but, the rules had become quite lenient by the 60’s. The writer of the article believes that the director Mike Nichols used this to his advantage in making The Graduate and uses this film, along with Michael Kane’s Alfie, as an example of one the early films that helped radicalize the film business. He then said that the film also helped promote the youth movement in the 60’s and did it in a clever way by not introducing hippie/flower power mentality. The writer believes that Dustin Hoffman’s “conflicted young hero” character is one of the most influential characters in today’s cinema and says that it was one of the originals. He also admires the film for the use of Simon and Garfunkel soundtrack; it was one of the first films where the sound was something that helped with the tone and progression of the film.
Relation of the article to the film
There are several things in the article that can be related to the Screening of The Graduate. The writer of the article mentions the importance of the “Benjamin” character. In the film, Benjamin, like the writer explains, is a lost youth. Benjamin’s current situation in life leads him to commit adultery, which is obviously a very negative activity; even in today’s open minded culture, so one can only imagine how this character was perceived in the 60’s, an era where majority of the people still lived by the “Book”. His character opened doors to a whole new spew of movies and impacted the American youth culture as a whole. Next, the film soundtrack of the film; Simon and Garfunkel where already quite established musicians and their involvement in the project helped attain this film more credibility. Plus, their music was used in a very clever way. The music was very appropriate and helped in the progression of the film.
Critique of the FIlm
The Graduate is undoubtedly a groundbreaking film. Besides the controversial storyline, the film is a masterpiece as a whole. The new style of direction is simply marverlous and very inspirational; especialy the creative transitional jump cuts. Next, the soundtrack of the film is just perfect. I realize that I have mentioned the importance of Music in various locations, but such is well deserved. Simon and Garfunkel's music in The Graduate inspires other other filmmakers to utilize sound in their films. Last but not least, I actually am a big fan of the story. A new radical theme, by 1960's had become very important, not only in film industry, but as media culture as a whole. The movie brokethough some of the impractical "moral" obligations film artists had to face and in fact promoted the value of free speech in an indirect, clever, and artistic way.
