A disillusioned college graduate finds himself torn between his older lover and her daughter.A disillusioned college graduate finds himself torn between his older lover and her daughter.A disillusioned college graduate finds himself torn between his older lover and her daughter.
- Director
- Writers
- Stars
- Won 1 Oscar
- 22 wins & 17 nominations total
- Hotel Guest
- (uncredited)
- Church Member
- (uncredited)
- Hotel Guest
- (uncredited)
- Bellhop in Hotel Lobby
- (uncredited)
- Boarding House Resident
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Featured reviews
Benjamin Braddock is snared by the older Mrs. Robinson as he struggles and juggles with his transition into a post college world that only emerges gradually, and then never really reveals itself in total, although everyone else seems to know what's good for him and the paths that he should take. A timeless classic, as relevant today as it was back when it was made, and sometime before, albeit the older lady scenario not one most young men would encounter, no matter how much they would like it to.
"The Graduate" is an unforgettable movie for people of my generation. The story is dramatic and funny and Anne Bancroft is perfect in the role of the unbalanced Mrs. Robinson. Despite his actual age (30), Dustin Hoffman is hilarious and convinces in the role of an unexperienced young man seduced by the alcoholic wife of his father's partner. And Katharine Ross is extremely beautiful in the role of Elaine. The wonderful soundtrack by Simon and Garfunkel fits perfectly to this great movie. The rushed conclusion is silly but adequate for those years, with the couple in a bus without knowing their destination in the bus and in life. My vote is eight.
Title (Brazil): "A Primeira Noite de um Homem" ("The First Night of a Man")
This movie is for anyone who's ever wondered what they are going to do with their future, anyone who's been in love with someone their parents didn't approve of, or anyone who's had an affair with one of their parent's friends. Granted, not many will fall in the latter category, but it throws an interesting spin on the film.
The film perfectly encapsulates and portrays the feelings of self-doubt, alienation, disenchantment and unwanted pressures and expectations for a twenty-something just out of college. Dustin Hoffman is the only person we can possibly imagine in the role of Benjamin as his imprint and superb acting makes this film a great one. As reflected on in an interview with Dustin Hoffman on the DVD, "The Graduate at 25", his life changed after this film, propelling him into something of a superstar status as his incredible talent found wide recognition. When I saw "Rushmore" I had a similar feeling about young Jason Schwartzman in the lead role. For him, time will tell. Although "Rushmore" isn't the time tested success that "The Graduate" is, anyone who enjoyed "Rushmore" would likely enjoy "The Graduate" if they haven't already seen it. They are, however, distinctly different films.
This comedy is something of a benchmark in many ways. Not many films of a comedic nature are so socially relevant and of such high quality that they make the A.F.I.'s top ten of all time. The film by many standards is more than just a contemporary comedy. It is quite possibly the best one ever made, given its widespread appeal.
It is well shot with interesting sequences and hilarious segments that hold up against the test of time. It has been a long-time favourite of mine, and I can scarcely imagine growing tired of it.
Mike Nichol's film is about a young man named Ben who has just graduated from college. His parents expect great things out of him. At a homecoming party, he drives the wife of his father's business partner home and he begins an affair with Mrs. Robinson. But things get complicated when he falls for a girl named Elaine. But Elaine happens to be the daughter of Mrs. Robinson!
The film is very well-acted. Anne Bancroft does a wonderful job as the sexy, manipulative Mrs. Robinson. Dustin Hoffman shows everyone why he is a great actor. He kills every scene he is in. I think Katherine Ross did a solid job as Elaine, although we don't meet her until late in the film. For those who are fans of the 90's TV Show "Boy Meets World," you may recognize Mr. Feeney himself, William Daniels as Ben's father.
Overall, The Graduate may be a bit old and weary, but it tells such a wise story with great acting and fantastic music, that it's hard to not see pass those rusty pipes. As I said before, this film has themes that are easily prevalent nearly fifty years after the film's release. It's one of those coming-of-age stories that shall stand the test of time, even if only because of the themes. This is a very memorable film to say the least.
My Grade: B+
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaWhen Dustin Hoffman showed up at producer Joseph E. Levine's office for a casting interview, Levine mistook him for a window cleaner. So Hoffman, in character, cleaned a window.
- GoofsWhen Ben is seen crossing the Oakland Bay Bridge on his way to Berkeley, he is driving on the upper of the two decks of the bridge which only carries traffic westbound from Oakland to San Francisco and thus would be taking him away from Berkeley. The only way to get to Berkeley by way of the Bay Bridge is to drive eastbound, and all such traffic is carried only on the lower deck of the bridge.
- Quotes
Benjamin: Oh, my God!
Mrs. Robinson: Pardon?
Benjamin: Oh no, Mrs. Robinson. Oh no.
Mrs. Robinson: What's wrong?
Benjamin: Mrs. Robinson, you didn't... I mean, you didn't expect...
Mrs. Robinson: What?
Benjamin: I mean, you didn't really think I'd do something like THAT.
Mrs. Robinson: Like what?
Benjamin: What do you think?
Mrs. Robinson: Well, I don't know.
Benjamin: For God's sake, Mrs. Robinson. Here we are. You got me into your house. You give me a drink. You... put on music. Now, you start opening up your personal life to me and tell me your husband won't be home for hours.
Mrs. Robinson: So?
Benjamin: Mrs. Robinson, you're trying to seduce me!
Mrs. Robinson: [laughs] Huh?
Benjamin: Aren't you?
- Crazy creditsThe original long-form trailer for the film (ending with a credit line for prints by Pathe), as shown by Turner Classic Movies, garbled the Roman lettering of its 1967 copyright as "MCMLVXII" instead of MCMLXVII. The trailer was later revised, as seen in the IMDb version available here, to remove the Pathe prints credit and correct the Roman lettering of the copyright year.
- Alternate versionsThere are two versions of the first encounter between Ben and Mrs Robinson. When Ben turns around after Mrs Robinson locks the door to her daughter's bedroom to make a proposition to him. In one, Ben says "Jesus Christ," and "Oh, my Christ" as he views Mrs Robinson in the nude. In another version the words Ben says have been dubbed to "Jesus God" and Oh, my God".
- ConnectionsEdited into Comic Relief (1997)
- SoundtracksThe Sounds of Silence
(uncredited)
Music by Paul Simon
Lyrics by Paul Simon
Performed by Simon & Garfunkel
Courtesy of CBS Records
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Official site
- Language
- Also known as
- El graduado
- Filming locations
- 607 North Palm Drive, Beverly Hills, California, USA(Mrs. Robinson's house)
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $3,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $104,945,305
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $37,948
- Feb 17, 1997
- Gross worldwide
- $105,018,047
- Runtime1 hour 46 minutes
- Aspect ratio
- 2.35 : 1
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