Something of a 1960s classic, an aimless recent graduate, the uptight Ben, finds himself seduced by the wife of one his father’s friends – only to fall for her daughter.
Ben Braddock (Dustin Hoffman in only his second film) returns to California from the east coast having graduated from law school. Inexperienced, socially awkward, he escapes the party thrown in his honour by driving Mrs Robinson (Anne Bancroft) home. From there on in, Mrs Robinson takes control of the affair that develops, until daughter Elaine (Katherine Ross) herself returns from college.
A delightful comedy-drama of manners and coming of age with a memorable soundtrack from Simon & Garfunkel, The Graduate is one of the highest grossing films of all time. Directed by Mike Nichols, the social satire loses its impact with the rebellious nihilism of the final scene but remains a film of time and place in American social history.
Nominated for 7 Oscars in 1968 including best film, actor, actress, adapted screenplay – won 1 for best director.
Rating: 71%
Director: Mike Nichols (Closer, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?)
Writer: Calder Willingham (Paths of Glory, Little Big Man), Buck Henry (What’s Up, Doc?, To Die For) – adapted from the novel by Charles Webb
Main cast: Dustin Hoffman (Midnight Cowboy, Tootsie), Anne Bancroft (The Miracle Worker, The Turning Point), Katherine Ross (Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid, The Stepford Wives)
An Opinion or Two 