Must See Movie Monday - The Graduate

Film: The Graduate
Released: 1967
Rated: I think that this movie is officially rated PG but I would say it is more in the zone of a high PG-13 possibly R rating. Just my opinion.
Director: Mike Nichols
Staring: Dustin Hoffman, Anne Bancroft, Katherine Ross
Short Summary: Feeling disillusioned and lost post college graduation, Ben Braddock begins an affair with the wife of his father's law partner Mrs. Robinson. Which is unfortunate when Ben realizes he has fallen in love with her daughter Elaine.


Why It's A Must See Movie

I apparently had a soft spot for films about men in transitional periods of their lives. I also have a soft spot for films that are both serious and hilarious at once. Hence, you should not be surprised by my choosing The Graduate this week.The Graduate is most well know for it's soundtrack which is comprised entirely of songs performed by Simon and Garfunkel. I admit that the music is quite a brilliant and beautiful tool which services the film by capturing the emotion of scenes without being too literal with the lyrics.

However, I think the movie should be recognized for much more that it's lovely music. First of all the movie does very well with it's use of symbolism. It's the kind of thing that you notice and makes you more in tune with what the movie is trying to communicate to the viewer. The Graduate also contains an excellent and creative use of camera work and editing. I was particularly amazed by this factor when I watched the movie again last night. The cinematography, direction, and editing have a quality to make you understand Ben what feeling about every situation he encounters. They did this without shooting from Ben's point of view the whole film which makes the work extra cool.

The Graduate has a great deal of interesting dialogue. Something I love. Yet, one of the great things about the movie is what is not said. The actors and director created performances that speak when the characters aren't speaking. The film does a great job of capturing the body language of the actors. Something I don't think films do often enough anymore.

When you think about it, if the movie hadn't been to sincere with it's story telling the viewer would find it kind of creepy. Fortunately they did this movie right. So that we all love and want to hug Ben instead of thinking that he is Elaine's stalker in the middle of the movie. Ha ha! I realized that yet again I have picked a film based on a book. I haven't read The Graduate before. I think I can get it on my Kindle, so I might check it out and tell you all what I think.

Oh, I just have to add a funny story about this movie before I go. The first or second time I ever watched The Graduate I was watching it in my living room. Right before the scene where Ben starts yelling Elaine's name my dad came in an started yelling "Stella! Stella!" He was so to committed to the performance, but I had to tell him the truth. "Uh dad? Your doing the wrong girl name yelling scene. This is The Graduate and her name is Elaine. Your doing the Stella is from A Street Car Named Desire." Hilarious! The poor man has never lived this mistake down. Ever since then every time Ben yells "Elaine! Elaine!" I think "Stella! Stella!"