(01/15/10) The Graduate

This week we bring to you Mike Nichols' "The Graduate"

"The Graduate" known for jump-starting Dustin Hoffman's acting career as well as for the Simon & Garfunkel hit "Mrs. Robinson", is widely regarded as one of the greatest films of all time. The hyperbole that has become the subject of internet memes abounding thanks to Kanye West aside, "The Graduate" sits well deserving of its spot on AFI's top 100 films at #17 as of the 2007 edition of the list. The film also shows us how terribly a sinful sexual romp can go wrong. The fact that Ben Braddock was able to get out alright in the end is amazing considering the consequences of his affair with Mrs. Robinson: derailed relations between Mr. Braddock and Mr. Robinson, the ending of Mr. Robinson and Mrs. Robinson's marriage, the threat of law suit against Ben by Mr. Robinson, and the wrath of Mrs. Robinson against Ben and Elaine for having exposed her infidelity.

The cultural impact of "The Graduate" is readily apparent. Take for example, the end scene of Wayne's World 2. A near shot-for-shot parody of the end of "The Graduate:

Wayne's World 2:


The Graduate:


But the filmmaking speaks for itself. in many of the shots the cinematography conveys the feeling of isolation from the rest of the world that Benjamin feels throughout the film upon returning home a graduate from college. Take, for instance, the shot near the end of the film in which he is running down the dusty road. He runs in the center of the frame, as he tends to occupy the center of the frame for much of the film. When others occupy the center of the frame with him, such as when he is lying in bed with Mrs. Robinson, it is a superficial relationship. He remains detached from the world though with others. At the party, with his parents, with Mrs. Robinson. This sub-level conflict presented through cinematography alone is resolved in the final shot with Ben and Elaine sharing the frame. This final shot lets the audience know that Ben's found a place with Elaine and is no longer a detached figure.