Director: Mike Nichols
Starring: Dustin Hoffman, Anne Bancroft and Katharine Ross
‘A Captivating Classic’
Not many movie-stars in Hollywood have achieved the appreciation of Dustin Hoffman. Following his rise to appreciation in the 1970’s, Hoffman has become one of the finest actors in the film industry. Whether it’s graduate students, men facing broken marriages or midnight cowboys, Hoffman has proven he can play a wide range of characters today. Through his versatility, Hoffman has become one of those stars that audiences deeply value. Despite reaching an age of retirement, Hoffman has proven he hasn’t lost his abilities to make strong entertainment. A living legend, Hoffman has made countless memorable movies throughout his career that are definitely worth watching.
I’m a huge fan of Dustin Hoffman and adore all the movies which he has produced throughout his illustrious career. However, “The Graduate” may be my favourite. Released in 1967, Mike Nichols’ movie has stood the test of time as a classic. Packed with breathtaking production, engaging storytelling and bold performances, it’s one of the best coming-of-age movies ever made. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance from Dustin Hoffman, who portrays a graduate student enduring a dilemma. Ultimately, what makes “The Graduate” one of the best movies ever made is its message. The film delivers a strong message about the importance of finding identity in adolescence which would resonate with everyone. A mesmerizing masterpiece on age gap romances, there’s several reasons why it’s worth watching.
Set during the 1960’s, “The Graduate” follows the story of a graduate student that engages in an affair with an older woman. Dustin Hoffman plays Benjamin Braddock, an aimless graduate student that lacks a clear purpose in life. Benjamin is concerned about his future questioning if he would ever be able to find a stable job. However, Benjamin’s life changes when he is seduced by Mrs. Robinson (Anne Bancroft). Mrs. Robinson is a far older married woman dealing with mental health issues of her own. Unaware of the grim consequences that lie ahead, Benjamin begins a forbidden romantic affair with Mrs. Robinson. Despite their age differences, Benjamin finds it easy to get along with the older woman. As Benjamin faces a dilemma, he questioning whether he would ever be able to find love in a conservative era.
Mike Nichols is a newcomer towards stories of graduate students. Before he directed “The Graduate”, Nichols was known for producing family dramas. It was the director’s first ever attempt to capture lives of graduate students engaging in romantic affairs but he succeeded. Through spellbinding cinematography, Nichols captures a graduate student embarking on a journey to find his identity. Nichols effectively uses montages capturing a graduate student struggling to find purpose in life. Nichols uses Simon and Garfunkel’s timeless music to stage unforgettable montages capturing the life of a graduate student. For instance, the montages elevate the opening scene. During this memorable scene, Benjamin wonders aimlessly through an airport with the song “Sound of Silence” playing in the background. Through strong montages, Nichols captures the hardships which graduate students go through. Using breathtaking visuals, Nichols captures the journey of a graduate student seeking to find his identity.
Another admirable aspect of “The Graduate” worth discussing is the production. For a movie produced back in the 1960’s, it has aged incredibly. Nichols effectively uses production-design to capture an age-gap romance. Throughout the movie, the hotels of apartments become a symbol of the bonds Benjamin shares with Mrs. Robinson. For instance, the apartment production elevates the affair scene. During this hilarious scene, Benjamin has his first awkward sexual encounter with Mrs. Robinson in a hotel room. One admires the production-design of the hotel capturing bonds between lovers engaging in an illicit age-gap romantic affair. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. Simon and Garfunkel’s music is integral to the movie’s success. It captures an aimless graduate student facing the sound of silence struggling to find purpose in his life. Through powerful production-design, Nicholson captures a graduate student facing a decline.
Storytelling is one of the key reasons why “The Graduate” is a classic that’s captivating. The film is beautifully written, and expertly uses silence to capture an awkward romance which involves a huge age gap. Nichols’ greatest strength as a screenwriter is his abilities to capture the romance between a graduate student and older woman through silence. In Hollywood, most movies rarely ever address the touchy subject of age gap romances. It’s a tricky topic to tackle in a movie but it works immensely in “The Graduate”. Nichols uses scenes of silence to create a realistic age gap romance. Benjamin and Mrs. Robinson share awkward sequences of silence showcasing their age gap romance. For instance, silence enhances the seduction sequence. During this unforgettable sequence, Benjamin is put in an awkward situation when he’s seduced by Mrs. Robinson. Through the use of silence, Nichols creates a strong character that audiences can relate to. Minimal dialogue is a tricky technique to use in films. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through a fantastic screenplay, Nichols captures an age gap romance with a price to pay.
One admires astonishing performances.
Dustin Hoffman delivers one of his greatest career performances as Benjamin. In his first major breakthrough role, Hoffman portrays a graduate student struggling to find a goal. It isn’t easy to embody the personality of a graduate student engaging in a romantic affair with an older woman, but he succeeds. It’s a role that allows the actor an opportunity to showcase natural charisma. With riveting expressions, he captures the angst, desperation and aimless personality of a graduate student. It’s a phenomenal performance that launched the prosperous career of one of the greatest actors working in the film industry today.
Anne Bancroft is amazing as an older woman that pursues a romantic affair with a graduate student. While Hoffman gets the showier role, Bancroft is equally excellent as a woman seeking a goal. As Mrs. Robinson, Bancroft is excellent at embodying a seductive woman in search of love through her voice. It’s a tricky role that requires the actress to portray a complicated character with sexual motives, but she pulls it off successfully. Whether she’s silently flirting with Benjamin in the comfort of her home or loudly arguing with him about his life responsibilities, Bancroft embodies a seductive woman through her powerful voice. It’s a fantastic performance from one of the greatest actresses that worked in the film industry during the 1960’s.
Finally, everyone would appreciate the strong message on identity given by “The Graduate”. Unlike most movies made during the 1960’s, it’s one of those rare movies everyone would be able to relate to. It discusses universal themes such as career, identity and trauma resonating with everyone. The film delivers a powerful message about graduate students with which everyone would engage. For a film made back in the 1960’s, its meaningful message remains relevant today. Therefore, “The Graduate” is one of those rare movies everyone would appreciate.
Fans of Dustin Hoffman will definitely appreciate “The Graduate” and so will movie-goers seeking exhilarating entertainment. A captivating classic about graduate students, it honours the legacy of a legendary actor that has created a lasting legacy whose movies are worth celebrating.
Nearly 60 years following the release of a classic film about aimless graduate students engaging in romantic affairs with older women in relationships that deteriorate, it’s a fantastic reminder of a legendary actor that hasn’t lost his abilities to captivate audiences through creating compelling characters with whom viewers can easily relate whose iconic movies that have stood the test of time as classics I will forever appreciate.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 