The Graduate (1967)

Mike Nichols' film The Graduate tells the story of a recent college graduate wondering what he is going to do with his life. Amidst his confusion he is seduced by an old family friend, Mrs. Robinson, and they have an affair. Eventually he falls in love with the woman's daughter and decides he would like to marry her. While the movie remains mostly funny throughout the film, I found the plot less interesting once the protagonist began pursuing the daughter. Overall, the plot is good but not great.

The two main characters in this film are played by Dustin Hoffman and Anne Bancroft. Hoffman's acting is quite strong early on in the film, but less impressive as the film wears on. Anne Bancroft's portrayal of Mrs. Robinson is probably the best-acted part in the film although she is less significant as the film wears on. The other characters do a fine enough job, but they aren't really worth mentioning.

Although this film is entertaining, it doesn't really accomplish anything. As a recent college graduate myself, I can relate to the main character's confusion with applying to graduate school and living up to expectations, but I'm not sure the film does all that good of a job addressing this as the film wears on. While the subject nature of the film may have been shocking in 1967, it is no longer shocking today and the film doesn't really hold up as well as other films from this era. It's a good film, but falls short of being a great film.

82/100
B-

UP NEXT: To be determined.

I saw this at MSU in 1977. I give it a 75/100.

Like you said, it was more shocking in the late 1960s. Not so much, even by 1977!

Score logged.