The Graduate (1967)
TOMATOMETER
AUDIENCE SCORE
Critic Consensus: The music, the performances, the precision in capturing the post-college malaise -- The Graduate's coming-of-age story is indeed one for the ages.
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Cast
as Benjamin Braddock
as Mrs. Robinson
as Elaine Robinson
as Mr. Braddock
as Mr. Robinson
as Mrs. Braddock
as Carl
as McCleery
as Room Clerk
as Mr. Maguire
as Lady
as Mrs. Singleman
as Miss DeWitt
as Minister
as Nightclub Stripper
as Woman on Bus
as Berkeley Student
as Mr. DeWitt
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Critic Reviews for The Graduate
All Critics (75) | Top Critics (15) | Fresh (67) | Rotten (8) | DVD (15)
Feels as sly, modern and bracing as it must have in 1967.
As it stands, the vacuum of that warped, moneyed Los Angeles society is too exaggerated, too incredible. But one can't help but believe in Hoffman if not in the disjointed character he portrays.
Be agog at Anne Bancroft's Mrs. Robinson in some of the most hilariously icky seduction scenes ever filmed. See Mike Nichols (with help from Simon & Garfunkel) take control of the Zeitgeist. See the mood go dark -- darker than you remember.
The Graduate gives some substance to the contention that American films are coming of age -- of our age.
The remarkably true ring of Webb's dialogue is preserved and augmented, the visual potential lifted to next power in absurdity.
The emotional elevation of the film is due in no small measure to the extraordinarily engaging performances of Anne Bancroft as the wife-mother-mistress, Dustin Hoffman as the lumbering Lancelot, and Katherine Ross as his fair Elaine.
Audience Reviews for The Graduate
Could "The Graduate" be the first art-house movie of all time? Ehh, I don't think so, but it's definitely a game-changer. At its time, Hollywood dished out grand epics after grand epics with "perfect" and steady camerawork, larger than life characters, and narratives that stretch at an epic scale. But "The Graduate" does a U-turn on the traditional ways of filmmaking. Unconventional mechanics like quick zooms, strangely edited shots, and lingering close-ups are riddled about in "The Graduate". It does enough difference for it to stand out among other films alike it. But to say that the narrative is different from the rest is an understatement -- its daring, bold, and darkly challenging. Especially after the time the Production Code came to a close, "The Graduate" dives head-first into dark waters. This is a psychologically driven character-study of a young innocent boy finding his place in the world to be a "different" man. "The Graduate" is absolutely effective in what it intends to do. Everything is cohesively crafted: strong thematic foundation, solid character development, sharp writing, and thought-provoking symbolism. Entertaining, provocative, and strangely disturbing, "The Graduate" immerses audiences into a young boy's world that's trying to make the best out of his life.
Super Reviewer
A personal fav since it debuted, when all I liked was the moody music and couldn't understand what it was about excepting that a sense of loss permeated the work (but NOW I get it - because I grew up with it - and it'll always be a personal fav). Whatever may be wrong with the world, Benjamin decides that its better to face it with someone rather than face it alone.
Super Reviewer
Dustin Hoffman's charming performance propels this film into one of the best coming-of-age films of all time. The Graduate is highlighted with an artful direction, innocent humor, spellbinding music (soundtrack by Simon & Garfunkel) and an accurate strike on reality. 4/5
Super Reviewer
The Graduate Quotes
| Mrs. Robinson: | Oh no Mrs. Robinson, I find you very desirable. I think you are the most desirable of all my parents' friends. |
| Mr. Robinson: | I was just telling Ben here he ought to sow a few wild oats. Have a good time while he can. You think that's sound advice? |
| Mrs. Robinson: | Yes, I do. |
| Mr. Maguire: | There is a great future in plastics. Think about it. Will you think about it? |
| Benjamin Braddock: | Yes, I will. |
| Mr. Maguire: | Okay. Enough said. That's a deal. |
| Mr. Braddock: | Have you thought about graduate school? |
| Benjamin Braddock: | No. |
| Mr. Braddock: | Would you mind telling me then what those four years of college were for? What was the point of all that hard work? |
| Benjamin Braddock: | You got me. |