The Graduate

1.    Mike Nichols (1967) film The Graduate written by Buck Henry and Calder Willingham. Box office for this film was $40million. The film was nominated for seven academy awards, winning one for Best Director, it lost a lot of awards to its competitor in the heat of the night. The Graduate was one of the first true youth rebellion movies; the movie consist of values of society and what to do after Graduation.
    Director Mike Nichols is one of only twelve people to have won all the major American entertainment awards including Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony Award in 2001, he was awarded the national medal of arts. He received the lifetime achievement award from the American film institute in 2010. Other films Mike Nichols directed include Catch 22,Silk wood, Who’s afraid of Virginia Woolf, Working girl, Closer angels in America.
    The Graduate consisted a lot of interesting, obvious camera shots and cutting. The cuts and Camera movement are often obvious to the viewer. The innovative use of sound and Dialogue, starting in one scene and ending in another. Long lens compresses space especially in the running scene at the end. Dramatic changes in time through framing of objects (Mrs. Robinsons legs). Tight framing is symbolic of uptight Benjamin.  the camera loosens as Ben becomes more worldly, his clothes change he starts to smoke and drink and becomes more vocally fluid/confident forceful/ rebellious.
    Dustin Hoffman nominated for Best Actor, The Graduate his first starring role. No actor has ever won more than two Best Actor AA’s Dustin Hoffman won Best Actor in Kramer Vs. Kramer and Rain Man. Dustin Hoffman was nominated for Best Actor in The Graduate, Lenny, Tootsie, and Wag the dog.
    Anne Bancort (Mrs. Robinson) Received an Oscar in (The Miracle Worker) and is a Tony Winner. Katharine Ross (Elaine) also played in Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid, Stepford Wives. Simon and Garfunkel music was used throughout The Graduate the sound leads the story (pool scenes drive in, car speed) 

  http://www.unc.edu/~nmurphy/Graduate.html

2.     The article is introduced as being a classic film set in Los Angels through the 1960’s and displayed through the eyes of Benjamin Braddock played by Dustin Hoofman. The author states that the director seems to show only shots of Benjamin, facial reaction in key points of the film.  Because of the camera angel, and key shot elements that were taken of Benjamin throughout The Graduate; it displays how everyone is connected by Ben’s character, and how there is truly no order in his world; that seems filled with madness and chaos.
    The author continues the article by stating that you think everyone lives perfect lifestyles and has everything that anyone could want in life, but the reality is everyone in The graduate is an outsider in their own world. How Ben’s first captured in the beginning of the film with a blank facial expression; as he’s making his way through the LAX airport.  How even his blank expression continues when he has his intimate moments with Mrs. Robinson; which showed the non connection and emotion that he lacked from both society and Mrs. Robinson. The author continues by talking about Mrs. Robinson and how she’s considered an outsider. In the 1950’s traditional families played a major role in society, where in the 1960’s open sexuality became a norm and big families and stay at home mom’s weren’t as popular as they were. The author believed  the  director’s took a funny approach towards the issue within the film through Mrs. Robinson’s character; who in the first scene  of the movie is seducing Ben. Although the author believes that Mrs. Robinson seems to lack the emotion that Elaine posses, and you can see that threw the angels that the director decides to take with close-ups on Mrs. Robinson's face and actions, rather than on her physical appearance. In the case of  Elaine and Ben how they seem to be confused about the decision they made regarding the wedding, and question whether they are truly in love. This shows how characters with The Graduate seem to act more out of passion and curiosity instead of love because they grew up in a society where love and morality were non- existent. The author ends the article with his opinion about the movie, and how he feels that the film was not about someone leaving college and entering the real world, but Ben actually leaving the real world and entering this distant world where people are trying to become  The Graduate of life, love and  misunderstandings.

3.     The article was an opinionated piece on the film, reading it broadened my aspect on the film. The author explains in the article the camera views that were used in the film, and Ben’s stern facial expressions that he had throughout the film due to the lack of emotion that he had, because of the non loving society that he lived in . The authors view on Mrs. Robinson had me think a little more about Mrs. Robinson especially how she’s portrayed , she’s not what you would expect a 1960’s housewife to be she’s the complete opposite, she’s adventures and does what she pleases. You could tell she knows what she wants within the first five minutes of the film. It didn’t dawn on me that no one in the film has an emotional connection, and the last minute decision that Elaine makes to run off with Ben. During the bus scene it shows how the characters act more out of passion and curiosity instead of out of love. Ben and Elaine don’t really know what love is because of the society they grew up in. Ben’s parents show no type of affection for each other throughout the film, and Elaine’s parents are on the verge of divorce. In the end the article helped me better understand the true meaning of The Graduate.

4.     The Graduate was an interesting film, Director Mike Nichols and Writers Buck Henry and  Calder Willingham vision for the film was done well . Dustin’s Hoffman’s portrayal of Ben was done just right. Even though he doesn’t show as much emotions as he should. I found his blank facial expressions and monotone voice to be quit humorous from time to time. For a whole summer and half a year to pass, Ben sure went through a lot, probably more then he ever has with his four years of college combined . I’m not to big on Ben marrying Elaine. It was a rushed decision, and I feel he only did it so he could prove to his parents that he really is trying to make something out of himself. Ben in my opinion should of got a job and waited for another opportunity to meet a young lady who’s mom he didn’t sleep with. For Elaine to even take Ben after what he did was absurd and plan out disgusting, and it shows that Elaine doesn’t value herself. The ending could of elongated more, I felt them riding into the sunset wasn’t the best ending. Myself as the viewer wanted to know what happens next, and if Elaine and Ben even continue to be with each other.