Filmmaker reacts to The Graduate (1967) for the FIRST TIME!
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- Опубліковано 2 тра 2024
- Hope you enjoy my filmmaker reaction to The Graduate. :D
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Original Movie: The Graduate (1967)
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This film is sorta wild, but I dig that..!
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"Robert Redford screentested with Candice Bergen for the part of Benjamin Braddock in "The Graduate" (1967), but was finally rejected by director Mike Nichols. Nichols did not believe Redford could persuasively project the underdog qualities necessary to the role. When he told this to Redford, Redford asked Nichols what he meant. "Well, let's put it this way," said Nichols, "Have you ever struck out with a girl?" "What do you mean?" asked Redford. "That's precisely my point," said Nichols. Redford told Nichols that he perfectly understood the character of Benjamin, who was a social misfit. He went on and on about his ability to play the part. Nichols finally said to him, "Bob, look in the mirror. Can you honestly imagine a guy like you having difficulty seducing a woman?"
Dustin Hoffman felt wrong for the role, and worried that his screentest was not going well. In a questionable effort to lessen the tension, he patted and pinched Katharine Ross's behind, which angered her, and she audibly berated him for it. As he left thinking he didn't get the role, his awkwardness was just what Nichols needed for Benjamin Braddock.
Nichols said he felt bad for the gentle and very shy Hoffman, who became an instant celebrity after the film. Nichols would see Hoffman's great discomfort and reticence while being interviewed on television. "He seemed exactly like the boy [Ben] in the picture."
Bancroft loved Nichols' description of Mrs. Robinson as someone who was angry with herself for giving up who she really was, in exchange for wealth and security. This was the aspect of the book (written by Charles Webb) that really captured his interest. When they shot the scene where Mrs. Robinson and Ben discuss art in the hotel room, Bancroft had forgotten Nichols' initial revelation about the character, but managed to capture that anger and regret on subsequent takes. Nichols thought this was very important because he really wanted to drive home the point about the character having bargained away her life. "That seems to me the great American danger we're all in, that we'll bargain away the experience of being alive for the appearance of it."
Nichols realized one reason he had so much difficulty casting the role of Benjamin Braddock after he read a "Mad Magazine" parody of his film. One of the jokes in the parody was Benjamin's asking his parents why he was Jewish and they were not. Nichols, who is Jewish, realized that his film had a subconsciously autobiographical element about being an ethnic outsider in a privileged WASP society."
I so appreciate the last minutes where Benjamin and Elaine go from smiling to uncertain looks on their faces. It's more realistic. They really did all of this in the moment's feeling and only then do they realize they didn't think it through.
“How do you see your future?”
@@JamesVSCinema I forgot where I saw this (some channel on here discussing filmmaking), but the story goes that the smiles fading at the end wasn’t scripted or improv or even acting. It was just not a comfortable day on set and they just kept the camera rolling longer than the actors thought, and so the smiles faded. Don’t know if that’s actually the case, but good story. Whichever video it was, it actually started out examining the split-pane bus window they’re framed against and how that was so perfect for the scene it had to be deliberate - but that might also just have been a fluke. The bus just did that.
@@JamesVSCinema found it: Grant Dougharty “The Shot That Changed How I See Movies” here on YT. Good watch
Wayne's World 2
The assistant director, who sot the bus scene. forgot to say cut. The director, Mike Nichols loved it and kept it in.
That was the tragic ending you were after, 2 souls driven by impulse throughout the movie and then the smiles slowly fade to the tune of the sound of silence and think to themselves what now?
That now infamous shot of Mrs. Robinson's leg in the same frame as Dustin Hoffman was actually NOT actress Anne Bancroft's leg. It was actually the leg of actress Linda Gray, who served as Bancroft's body double, and later starred in the popular TV drama, Dallas.
I like how Ben's arc is going from someone who can't say no to anyone (his parents, Mrs Robinson, etc) to someone who manages to make his own decisions.
Sure, poor decisions.
@@TylerD288yeah, but, they’re his own. you gotta start somewhere.
@@samanthanickson6478 agreed.
My favorite part of the movie is when Mrs. Robinson yells Elaine that it's too late, and Elaine says, not for me! This whole thing is about young people feeling forced into something their parents want instead them feeling allowed to figure it out for themselves. The truth is they had the power the whole time but had to grow up enough to just do it.
At age 11 I watched this film for the first time and it completely hooked me on the art of cinema. Cut to 9 years later and I am about to start film school. This film has shaped my life thus far, that is the power of cinema
it seems crazy to me that someone could go through film school and not study Mike Nichols' direction of this film - but I guess older films are not appreciated anymore
@@kelly9876 I know, it's such a shame. This and who's afraid of Virginia woolf are masterpieces that should be taught everywhere.
I was a junior in my high school Film Literature class in the mid-70s, and our teacher showed The Graduate (1967) to our class. I was mesmerized watching this film. When this film was released in theatres, it was rated X (Adults Only). Today, it would be rated PG. This film touched on many significant topics considered to be TABOO in the 60s, especially alchoholism & adultery. This movie EMPHASIZED the 60s "Generation Gap." It's a "coming of age film," considering Ben is an innocent, late-bloomer (especially with dating/sex). As a 17 yr old, this film shaped how I personally transitioned into my own adulthood. Maybe this critically acclaimed film is too dated for you. I think this film would have made more sense to you had you been in my 1974 film class. This was legendary actor Dustin Hoffman's breakout lead role, making him a very popular lead actor into the 70s & 80s. Hoffman went on to win two Best Actors Oscars in his career & multiple nominations. Add, the films popular soundtrack album by Simon & Garfunkel (Rock & Roll HOF inductees), the great director Mike Nichols, The Graduate ranks high on the American Film Institute's (AFI) Best Movie of All Times list. The Graduate was one of the classic films in the 60s era. I enjoyed your great reaction & insightful thoughts! Thank you for bringing us The Graduate, James. 👍
Finally someone reacts to this, big up your damn self!
Anytime homie!
Love the Simon and Garfunkel sound track to this movie. And Anne Bancroft? Wonderful actress. RIP.
The Hotel Desk guy, Buck Henry, the writer.
My cool English teacher showed us this in highschool once. You should have heard all the boys screaming at Dustin Hoffman's character during the first scene him and Mrs. Robinson. 😂
Lmfaoooo I can imagine! 😂
Grooming much.. what was the point of showing this in English
@@KSDVLmom What's the point of showing a classic movie with high artistic value? What's the question?
He's an adult
On the subject of the soundtrack, the movie turned Simon & Garfunkel from moderately successful folk singers to global superstars. It's interesting to note how "The Sound of Silence", memed as a song about misery and despair, plays at all the happy (or at least contemplative) points of the film. The sad and melancholy scenes have "Scarborough Fair" instead, and the climactic points of anger or anguish have "(Here's to You) Mrs Robinson" playing behind them. The latter was actually first written by Paul Simon as "Mrs Roosevelt", a reference to the President's wife, but the surname was changed for addition to the film.
1967 was the year indie films were taking over the box office, and The Graduate and Bonnie and Clyde were definitely one of them. That would be cool if that happens again.
I hope so. Two years later, midnight cowboy was one of the highest grossing films to come out, and it was rated X! Love this era of American films, so many groundbreaking movies
@brianscli9567 I believe it will happen again sooner than later. We have studios like A24 and Universal Studios supporting Indie films.
It can only happen if there is a severe decline in revenue for Hollywood. The Graduate and Bonnie and Clyde spearheaded an American New Wave that was the result of the collapse of the studio system. I just don't see how this can happen again. Audience are to stuck to seeing mega-budget movies in theatres, and the smaller indie films are something to watch at home. I don't think that mindset is about to change. The period of 1967 to 1979 was Hollywood's golden age, and it wasn't dealing with home video and streaming back then. Cherish it for what it was, but don't expect it to happen again.
@campaignresources it's simple man, you make a good story with great marketing people will see it and trust me when I say this the audiences wants to see mid budget films. There is an article by Indie Wire saying that genz and millennials are getting tired of the bad blockbuster now dubbed Flop buster and want original movies and shows
@@stsolomon618 All you have to do is check box-office figures to see that serious films rarely achieve big box-office levels. You are arguing against facts, basing your claims on feelings. You are not in the real world. People prefer to watch these kinds of movies at home. That is exactly how it is, not how you dream it should be.
Hey, James! This post is a little long but this is my analysis of the film. I wrote this up when I was in my 20s back in 2015 after my second viewing of _The Graduate._ Someone online needed help understanding the themes of this film and the novel, I think he was writing a college term paper for a film class or something. So, I basically wrote his paper for him. But it's gotten an enthusiastic response everywhere I posted it (IMDb, Facebook film groups and other film forums etc.). It's a little long but it's a fascinating read. This is a copy-and-paste job from where I originally posted this.
*PART 1 of 2:*
"I apologize for the length of my post, but you need to know the history and to understand the context of the times to grasp the themes of the novel and the film.
Youthful alienation, the disconnect between the kids and their parents caused by a disillusionment with the traditional and materialistic values of conventional, suburban American life pushed onto them by the traditional, materialistic, status-seeking, "status quo preserving" older generation (hence the "generation gap").
The older generation (referred to as the "greatest generation") had grown up during particularly tough and impoverished times-- the Great Depression of the 1920s/30s which was ended by World War II, in which many of that older generation had served. Note: the success of many businesses that were involved in the war effort at home was a major factor that led to the economic boom that ended the Depression and helped to establish the United States as the economic, corporate-driven superpower in the 1950s and onward.
The mass return of all the servicemen from the War (who came home to start families) led to the Baby Boom of the 1940s and 50s-- the Baby Boom coupled with the economic boom naturally led to the housing boom and the creation of modern suburban living. The youth portrayed in the film are the "Baby Boomers", they were the first generation to be raised en masse in modern suburbia and hence the first generation to discover just how vacuous, empty and unfulfilling suburban lifestyle really is.
The older generation really felt an idealized sense of purpose in their youth (fighting the Nazis, surviving the Depression), they grew up impoverished and wanted to make sure their children did not-- hence why they adopted and cultivated such materialistic values. But as an unforeseen result, their children who were very educated (in many cases the first generation to attend college) and were raised in excess with little struggle (a period of economic prosperity, suburban life) felt an emptiness with this excess and their parents' materialistic values, and also with the traditional family values pushed onto them. They viewed their parents' corporate, materialistic and traditionally social ideals as shallow and fake like plastic. Plastic is a representation of everything that is fake in society-- examples plastic toy guns are not real, plastic surgery is not natural. Hence, the famous "plastics" line, Mr. Braddock's friend tried to push the plastic industry onto Benjamin-- it's a metaphor of the older generation passing their empty, fake (or plastic) values onto the younger generation. I know I beat this metaphor to death but I made my point.
Another metaphor: the youth felt as if they were being corrupted by the older generation with the pushing of these phony (or plastic) values, just as Benjamin was corrupted by Mrs. Robinson, a member of the older generation. And Elaine too was being corrupted by her parents when they pushed her into marriage (a major tenet of the older generation's traditional values).
Another metaphor I just discovered while re-watching it tonight: Benjamin wants to have a conversation with Mrs. Robinson which they apparently never do during their affairs (14:34). The lack of communication represents the communication issues of the generation gap. They can't relate to each other. Benjamin tries to discuss art with Mrs. Robinson as they lay in bed. She stated she didn't want to discuss art with a regretful look on her face. Mrs. Robinson had studied art in college and didn't pursue it afterwards, since she was impregnated by her husband (14:57). Her dreams and passions went unfulfilled as she too was forced into the conventional lifestyle of traditional motherhood and housekeeping, just as the overwhelming majority of all women at that time were. This emptiness in her life led to her alcoholism. Also, it's noted that Elaine was conceived in a Ford. The pregnancy occurred in a car, a symbol of the 1950s materialistic excess and values. Her dreams of pursuing art are crushed by the same traditional values (represented by the pregnancy which leads to traditional marriage and conventional life of motherhood and housekeeping) and materialistic values (represented by the car where the impregnation took place) that trouble the younger generation. She sleeps with Benjamin (a member of the younger generation) as a means to reclaim her lost youth.
Also, notice that every adult in the movie doesn't have a first name. Every adult is referred to as "Mr." This or "Mrs." That. The formality reinforces the separation (or gap) between the two generations.
Also, the War, the motivation to escape the poverty of the Depression and to provide for their kids really laid out a "plan", a structure, a direction for the lives of the older generation. The younger generation having grown up in excess felt directionless like they were drifting aimlessly through life (as Benjamin was drifting aimlessly in the pool-- another metaphor).
Also, a scuba suit and mask isolates the wearer from the surrounding environment (i.e. the water). Benjamin wearing the scuba suit and mask is another metaphor of isolation in his current environment and how alienated he feels amongst the older generation. While wearing the mask, remember that Benjamin couldn't hear the dialogue from his parents. Communication issues as a result of the generation gap.
Continued in PART 2 (of 2). PART 2 is in the reply to this comment.
PART 2 of 2:
Other symbolism/metaphors:
-Benjamin's car (the Alfa Romeo) near the end of the film has noticeable wear and paint chipping. That represents his generation's indifference to glamour and materialism.
-Mr. and Mrs. Robinson sleep in separate bedrooms. Mr. Robinson is a representation of the materialistic and traditional values that squashed Mrs. Robinson's passions and dreams. Sleeping in a separate bedroom is her way distancing herself from her husband and those values.
-The cross used to lock the church doors. The wedding party is trapped inside the church as Ben and Elaine run free. They are "free spirits" while the wedding party is philosophically "trapped" in their mindsets by their traditional values and upbringing (represented by the religious cross). The wedding guests are both physically and philosophically "trapped" by the cross.
-Even the animals in the film is symbolic. The fish and the aquarium itself in Benjamin's room represents alienation. As do the monkeys and their cages at the zoo (22:20). The chimps and gorillas are "isolated" from each other. The younger looking chimps are in cages, whereas the older looking gorillas roam around in larger enclosures.
-Carl Smith, Elaine's fiancée. Elaine is being pushed into marriage, a traditional wedding. Carl Smith has been indoctrinated by and embraces his parents' traditional values. His last name is even Smith, a very old, traditional English name.
-I believe even the specific types of alcohol beverages is symbolic as well. Mr. Robinson always prefer scotch, but Benjamin prefers Bourbon. Scotch originates and is traditionally made in Scotland. When you think Scotland, you think kilts, bagpipes, Church of Scotland. A representation of a very old, traditional WASP-y older generation. Whereas bourbon originates from and is traditionally made in the Southern United States. The Southerners were the rebels (and were referred to as such) in the American Civil War. Preferring bourbon, Benjamin and his generation are "rebelling" against traditional values of the older generation. Also note that Benjamin's request for bourbon never seems to get through to Mr. Robinson as he keeps offering scotch. Again, communication issues due to the generation gap.
-Even the sunglasses, I believe is symbolic. Benjamin and his parents converse while wearing sunglasses when they are poolside [14:16]. They never see eye-to-eye both literally (due to their sunglasses) and figuratively (due to the generation gap).
Also, at the beginning of the movie, where Benjamin is on the movable walkway at the airport. The walkway he is on is moving forward but he himself is standing still. It's another visual metaphor. Life is moving forward but Benjamin is not. He (and the rest of his generation) felt a lack of drive and momentum because he doesn't know where to go or what to do with his life.
And lastly, the ending. Even though Elaine and Benjamin escape the wedding when they board the bus, it is not a happy ending. They are initially overjoyed and ecstatic as they first sit down on the bus but then their facial expressions gradually become melancholy as they again are overcome with feelings of confusion and disillusionment. They were happy when they escaped the shackles and conventions of married life at first but they still have no idea what to do with their lives, no direction hence the look of gloom and uncertainty in their facial expressions. They are more in love with the idea of eloping rather than actually eloping. Elaine and Benjamin are sitting still on a bus that is physically moving forward-- yes this is another metaphor. The bus represents life. Life is moving forward but Elaine and Benjamin are not, represented by them sitting still in their seats.
I've never realized up until now just how literary this script really is. It's a masterpiece."
This film was one of the highest grossing films of all time when it came out. Because EVERYBODY understood the metaphors back in the day, cuz they were living this reality. The message is definitely a little lost 56 years later outside the context of the 1960s counterculture, but the message is still universal.
Very nice. Could have used a reference to the Silent Generation. The greatest generation fought during World War 2, the silent generation was born during World War 2, with the Boomers born after. Benjamin is closer to the Silent Generation. Very traditional, but many did later start the sixties revolution.
@@Dularr There was no mention of the Silent Generation in my analysis cuz that generation is charactered by their conformist "do what you're told" attitude and their civic instincts towards traditionalism. The term was coined providing a nice contrast with the noisy ways of the anti-establishment Boomers. Benjamin rebelling against the "Greatest Generation" adults in the film is why he's tied with the Boomers rather than the Silent Generation-- this film was the anthem for the Boomers, not so much for the Silents. Also, the Silent Generation are the kids who grew up during the Great Depression which Benjamin clearly did not. The Silent Generation also includes most of those who fought during the Korean War, which Benjamin obviously didn't. However, he's now of age for the Vietnam like most Boomers, which Benjamin will no doubt be drafted in just a couple years. And lastly, Benjamin would've been born at the end of WWII, so he's closer to being a Boomer than a Silent. That's why I didn't mention the Silent Generation, since they don't really factor much into the themes of this story.
@@rustincohle2135 I enjoyed yor analysts. Mrs. Robertson grew up during the Art Deco phase, having to get married in the 1940s, missing out on the post WW2 modern movement. With Benjamin marrying a silent generation girl (from the poorly regarded sequel) traditionalist.
@@Dularr I didn't even know a sequel book existed. But this is why this was an analysis of the original novel and film, the point of both was to capture the zeitgeist and attitudes of that era. The sequel book that came out 44 years afterwards virtually had zero relevance to the original's impact on pop culture. Can't imagine anyone would consider it canon. I mean, boomers, hippies and other counterculture folks eventually got married and had to get jobs too. Doesn't necessarily make them traditional in their thinking.
Solid film, love the ending.. and love the use of Simon and Garfunkel throughout..
I don't know how old James is, but he's definitely one of my favourite reactors. Watching him live through movies that I grew up with and take for granted is genuinely interesting.
He has the interesting dichotomy of both expert and naïve viewer, where on the one hand, he really understands movie making.. techniques, writing, the story, but on the other, he hasn’t seen so many of these movies and you feel like wow you haven’t seen this? This movie is hugely important in understanding and studying the craft…
Hopefully you noticed the “Jaws” relations not just with Murray Hamilton (Mayor Vaughn) but a cameo with Richard Dreyfus as the nosy neighbor.
I've literally done a scene by scene deconstruction of this film and I never even noticed that lol
I watched too much TV growing up so this movie will always be the one with Mr. Roper and Mr. Feeny to me. (From Three's Company and Boy Meets World respectively. Although I never watched the latter, so really it's the movie with Mr. Roper and the talking car from Knight Rider.)
I remember Mad Magazine did a parody of this film and at the end of the parody as in the film Katherine Ross and Dustin Hoffman are sitting in the back of a bus. In the parody she begins to nag him and boss him around when he sighs "Oh Mother". . She replys "oh you miss your mother already" He replys "No, I miss your mother"
0:00 now I realize how genius this scene is, when the camera switches from Elaine to Benjamin, to Mrs Robinson, it goes back to Elaine again but slowly, lingering from a blurry image to full focus, implying Elaine’s change from doubt to full understanding of the situation.
The first hotel scene is interesting, as you noted. First, he holds the door for all of the young couples entering the hotel, then gets stuck holding the door for all of the old couples leaving the hotel. People enter young, then leave old, while Ben is stuck in the middle. Quite a few interpretations can be found in that one rather brief scene.
Benjamin is someone who is stuck between youth and adulthood and at the end he is just as lost as he was in the beginning of the film.
Simon and Garfunkel, what's not to like.
Anne Bancroft (Mrs. Robinson) was married to Mel Brook from 1964 until her death.
The ending is 'Be careful what you wish for!'
Such a pivotal moment when in the chaos of the church Mrs Robinson screams 'It's too late' (for her in her life) and Elaine retorts 'Not for me' (My life is ahead of me, I control my own future, it's not your life).......truly great film, very metaphorical movie,not to be taken literally, a sign of the times, life for a lost teenager in 60's America, a generation lost in space, whilst his older generation tries to plan his future and never thinks to let him be......how little has changed...
That last scene: the director let the scene run longer than the actors expected, to elicit the awkwardness that lies between them now that they’re married.
ELAINEEEE!!!!
😂😂
This was an interesting look back at a particular point of time. Women still needed their husbands or fathers to co-sign to get a loan or credit card but the pill had been introduced a couple of years earlier. It was a time of transition. Compare this film to Shampoo, which came out 8 years later. What had changed and what hadn’t.
Considering the ending of The Graduate, I’ve always felt it was bleak. And the Simon & Garfunkel song “America” has a similar uncertain but predictably unhappy next scene.
“Kathy, I'm lost", I said, though I knew she was sleeping
I'm empty and aching and I don't know why”
This is one of my favorite movies. I have watched it over decades now and as I get older, it means something different to me each time as I age. Ultimately, I think this film is about loneliness. Everyone is so alone. Not knowing how they end up is part of the beauty of it. Some people have eluded that “Kramer Vs Kramer” is what they would end up like. I tend to agree, but that is just speculation. The framing of the shots, the filming, editing everything is perfect. A great soundtrack too.
Basically everyone comes to this movie for 2 things. The "seduce me" scene and the wedding escape at the end of the movie.
Check out Whose Afraid of Virginia Woolfe? By the same director. It's so amazing. It's one of the best happens over one night films
An amazing classic!
Edit: I’ll admit I’m a tad disappointed you didn’t get more out of it.
The classic movie about the alienation of the young generation. And the older one too. With of course the ending just continuing it, with the thrill deflating out of both Ben and Elaine on the bus and that empty, lost look of "now what?"
Mighty sharp catching the collosal privilege of the main character, running amok throughout the film while being celebrated by the filmmaking as some kind of brooding youth culture hero.
I watched this in my film class. That ending of pure uncertainty and regret setting in is iconic.
I was also taken aback by the unironic usage of Hello Darkness in this movie, but it makes sense in the context of the plot. Benjamin doesn't know what he wants, his world is clouded by uncertainty, so this song fits right it.
"Sounds like a pretty half-baked plan, Ben" "No, it's completely baked."😂
It hits them. She's afraid to say, "What do we do now?" He's afraid to say, "I don't know." There's a name for that moment. Regret.
Katherine Ross was in the original Stepford Wives movie.
Fun story about Dustin’s casting:
He was originally cast as Kenneth Mars’ character in The Producers when his agent informed him about The Graduate. Obviously it’s absolutely unprofessional to abruptly leave a job at the chance of something better, and Dustin begged to be let go of The Producers if he got the role of Benjamin.
Now, Mel Brooks was Anne Bancroft's husband, so of course he, too, was familiar with the script of his wife's movie. So Mel, having zero confidence in Dustin Hoffman's ability, allowed him to be let go if he won the role. And obviously he did win.
I absolutely can't see Hoffman in that Producers role! Funny story.
Kudos to you for reviewing this; it’s almost “forgotten” and it’s an absolute classic
Another “forgotten “ gem is a one actor teeth gnashing epic called
“Duel”, 1971
with Denis Weaver.
Don’t miss it.
I really think when Mrs. Robinson shows up at his dorm and has a full breakdown about how she would rather he sleep with her so he doesn't go after Elaine and hurt her is a top five most uncomfortable moments for me
1967 was a great year for american film (and music). "bonnie and clyde" directed by arthur penn and starring warren beaty and faye dunaway brought the gangster film into the modern era. 1966's "a funny thing happened on the way to the forum" starring zero mostel with a great ensemble cast is an excellent musical comedy directed by richard lester who directed the beatles' first 2 films.
for another great film directed by mike nichols watch 1970's "catch-22" starring alan arkin. a film legendary for its wonderful ensemble cast. and 1970 also brought us robert altman's "m.a.s.h" starring donald sutherland and elliot gould also with another GREAT ensemble cast. dustin hoffman made many great films. i'll recommend "little big man," also directed by arthur penn and also from 1970. thanks for the video.
This is one of my all-time favorite movies! I have it in my top 4 on Letterboxd and especially recently I've been wanting to change and vamp up my top 4 on there, but gosh how do I take this out and replace it with something else!? I think it's so masterfully crafted all around- direction, cinematography, cast performances, screenplay, editing, of course the soundtrack, etc! It's also one of those films that seems funnier the more I rewatch it and the older I get. Plus, I first watched it at the perfect time of starting university courses but being really aware and anxious of my potential path(s) in life. I can't attest to having an affair with my dad's partner's wife but besides that Benjamin is so relatable, imo, lol. And I think Mrs. Robinson is such an interesting character. I feel like I understand her but at the same time she's an enigma, and I pay more attention to her as a character and Anne Bancroft's performance each rewatch. Also, it's interesting that you mentioned Harold & Maude because that's in my LB top 4, TOO.
This movie really affected me when I was 16, when I was suddenly feeling expectations coming from all around. People really do start looking ridiculous.
Notice the bus is full of old people. They are looking BACK at Benjamin and Elaine while the two youths are looking FORWARD. This symbolizes the youths looking at their future when they're older, while the older people symbolizes their older selves looking back at this moment of rebellion. Ben and Elaine's faces turning crestfallen represents them contemplating what they just did and what their future holds. Did they do all of this because they truly love each other and want to be together, or was it merely an act of rebellion against everyone telling them what to do? who to marry, how to live their lives? The final shot shows the bus driving down an unmarked road, they're riding down a road of uncertainty. What does the future hold for them? are they headed for their "happily ever after?" or did they make a huge mistake?
There's a bit more to this, but I tried my best to truncate this comment. It's already kinda long and I don't want this analysis to turn into a mini-novel.
James: “Spider-Man isn’t that lucky.”
He’s as lucky as comic book writers want him to be 😅
One of my favorite scenes in cinema- Benjamin and Mrs Robinson in the hotel room and he wants to talk, have a conversation for a change. They have a great convo and we find out a lot of great info and it ends with "Let's not talk at all."
Nothing prepares you for the chaotic energy of this thing, straight masterpiece
Their faces at the end... the seeds of tragedy were sown early. He won the battle...
I don’t know if you saw one of my favourite shots in the movie, because you were reacting, which was only natural. It is the moment of confrontation between Benjamin, Elaine and Mrs. Robinson in the bedroom.
There is a beautiful close up on Catherine Ross, but it is out of focus. It racks very slowly into focus as realization dawns on her.
This is one of my all-time favourite films. My mom and I went to see it in the theatre when it came out. The soundtrack is amazing. It really captured the zeitgeist of that time. Mike Nichols was a genius.
Also, Mrs. Robinson is played by the wonderful and Bancroft, who happens to have been Mel Brooks’s wife. They had a very long and happy marriage until she passed away. Reading about that and Mel Brooks’s autobiography was really heartbreaking.
By the way, the hotel clerk, who asks if he is there for an affair at the hotel, is Buck Henry one of the screen writers. The story is by Charles Webb.
Yes, he becomes quite the stalker. It’s too much. I’m sorry but I had trouble accepting her forgiveness of him.
This is an iconic film in so many ways, and one of my absolute favorites. The ending is not like my guy happy. That look on the bus. I think they may be lasted six months lol.
The general gap is startling & more obvious as time goes on. Idolizing our youth & being out of touch is sad. Nobody won anything. Great review James
One of those classic movies that, even if you've never seen it, you still recognize so many things that became embedded in film culture.
Hope you've been doing well sir, thanks for the content as usual.
(PS - put me on the list of people officially waiting for you to start Season 2 of THE BEAR.)
Was literally talking about this movie this morning. Looking forward to the reaction
I love your channel so much! Who else is reacting to The Graduate right now!? I can always depend on great movies with you!
23:58 That might be the funniest thing I have heard in a decade. 🤣🕸🕷
I'm so glad that I found this channel, these videos have been inspiring me to go back and rewatch some films that I haven't seen in a while. I'd like to suggest some options for June: All About My Mother (Todo sobre mi madre) (1999), Torch Song Trilogy (1988), Pride (2014), Moonlight (2016), But I'm a Cheerleader (1999), Ma Vie En Rose (1997) are all fantastic imo.
Have you reacted to Midnight Cowboy yet? One of the greatest of great American films. And another great Dustin Hoffman vehicle.
Little big man
I don’t know, man. People praise the ending as the tragic one, but to escape from adolescence, this strange phase in life, and a lifestyle set in stone - isn’t it the goal of the whole movie?
One of the greatest movies that encapsulates the era and such a great soundtrack.
My favorite movie of all time!
'Mrs. Bouvier!'
🎶Hello darkness my old friend...🎶
That's all this movie is about. 😁
Fun fact. William Daniel’s aka Ben’s dad is only 10 years older than Dustin Hoffman in this film. And Anne Bancroft was only 6 years older than him.
Man I love this movie so much. Glad you watched this one!
60s: drink and drive? No problem ;-)
This Is One GREAT MOVIE....really it is. Directed by MIKE NICHOLS I do believe. Came across a pre-quel project in regards Mrs. Robinson a decade ago.
Fun fact: Anne Bancroft (Mrs Robinson) was only 5 years older than Dustin Hoffman (Ben).
Imo this film's ending is absolutely a tragedy. You were talking over it but that extreme length of the final shot as the gravity of what they've just done slowly sinks in and their smiles fade and you realise here you are, wearing a wedding dress, riding on a bus to who knows where, as "sound of silence" plays. (which btw I HATE how this song has been turned into a meme). I recommend checking out the lyrics to "sound of silence" as they really put a bitter taste to things which in this case works so well.
I agree with your analysis of this movie. I think 60% of the popularity of this movie is due to the soundtrack 40% due to the filmmaking and 0% due to the shit show story. As a filmmaker, this should make you happy. Now you know, that no matter how shitty a project you have been given to work with can still be made into something presentable.
This is a weird movie that kind of stuck with me. Not sure if it ever really made sense, but it was a unique trip that's for sure.
I bought an Alfa Romeo spider because of this movie. I love driving around listening to this movies soundtrack in that car. I don’t think the romance makes sense either, but as a car guy, this movie is iconic.
BONNIE AND CLYDE (1967) same year, totally different, roller coaster action drama, but doomed lovers
Fun Hollywood trivia stories. Originally Burt Ward who played Robin on the camp 1960s Batman series along side of Adam West was allegedly offered the role of Benjamin as a break out and cross over role to cinema but unfortunately wasn't able to get released from his contract for Batman. So Dustin Hoffman ‐- default. Burt Ward trapped and never escapes the fatally destined role of Adam West's sidekick. I don't know if he's still alive but if so you would think West would facilitate an invite to voice Burt's own self as a thrown bone of Family Guy. Doris Day who was the queen of niceness, innocence and sweetness persona in the 1950s and 60s was a hopeful favorite in the casting as Mrs. Robinson for a complete change of image but she opted not to. Anne Bancroft was an Oscar winner for the Helen Keller classic film The Miracle Worker and was the wife famous comic director and actor and Young Frankenstein and Blazing Saddles director Mel Brooks! (I.just watched The Graduate and One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest again after over 40 years especially with The Graduate since I was ten or eleven when it was released and now I know the middle of the film! I always thought that Benjamin was involved with Elaine before he got with her mother but it would beso long before I was able to watch both iconic films on video as a young mature adult. I read the book Cuckoo's Nest, which was published the year i was born in 1963, either in high school or beginning of college and loved it.
The last scene is important. They start off happy and end up looking troubled and even conflicted and that is the point. It is not a happy ending. There is now the question, where do we go from here? Remember, this movie is from the 60's and that was a looming question of that time.
Absolutely! Similar to my intro I talk about how going back during my editing really highlights a few more things after a first watching..I get into that very same thought a little in the conclusion too!
I think the looks on their faces at the end make up for whatever unrealistic things happened, they dont ride off into the sunset. The end of films arent the end, who's to say they stay together and it's all happy endings?
One of my favorite movies of all time
One of my history professors in college had us watch this movie when we started going in depth about the Vietnam War and the time period surrounding it. I can’t remember why he chose *this* movie, but he drew a lot of parallels to the lessons we did on the counterculture movement of the younger generation. While I don’t remember word for word what he said, that last scene on the bus still sticks with me.
The gorgeous Anne Bancroft, wife to... Mel Brooks? My man Mel had game.
James, you gotta see Wayne's World 2 now that youve seen The Graduate
The head-thumping that Benjamin does during the first seduction scene was improvised. Mike Nichols, the director, nearly lost it trying to hold in his laughter.
"Robert Redford screentested with Candice Bergen for the part of Benjamin Braddock in "The Graduate" (1967), but was finally rejected by director Mike Nichols. Nichols did not believe Redford could persuasively project the underdog qualities necessary to the role. When he told this to Redford, Redford asked Nichols what he meant. "Well, let's put it this way," said Nichols, "Have you ever struck out with a girl?" "What do you mean?" asked Redford. "That's precisely my point," said Nichols. Redford told Nichols that he perfectly understood the character of Benjamin, who was a social misfit. He went on and on about his ability to play the part. Nichols finally said to him, "Bob, look in the mirror. Can you honestly imagine a guy like you having difficulty seducing a woman?"
Dustin Hoffman felt wrong for the role, and worried that his screentest was not going well. In a questionable effort to lessen the tension, he patted and pinched Katharine Ross's behind, which angered her, and she audibly berated him for it. As he left thinking he didn't get the role, his awkwardness was just what Nichols needed for Benjamin Braddock.
Nichols said he felt bad for the gentle and very shy Hoffman, who became an instant celebrity after the film. Nichols would see Hoffman's great discomfort and reticence while being interviewed on television. "He seemed exactly like the boy [Ben] in the picture."
Bancroft loved Nichols' description of Mrs. Robinson as someone who was angry with herself for giving up who she really was, in exchange for wealth and security. This was the aspect of the book (written by Charles Webb) that really captured his interest. When they shot the scene where Mrs. Robinson and Ben discuss art in the hotel room, Bancroft had forgotten Nichols' initial revelation about the character, but managed to capture that anger and regret on subsequent takes. Nichols thought this was very important because he really wanted to drive home the point about the character having bargained away her life. "That seems to me the great American danger we're all in, that we'll bargain away the experience of being alive for the appearance of it."
Nichols realized one reason he had so much difficulty casting the role of Benjamin Braddock after he read a "Mad Magazine" parody of his film. One of the jokes in the parody was Benjamin's asking his parents why he was Jewish and they were not. Nichols, who is Jewish, realized that his film had a subconsciously autobiographical element about being an ethnic outsider in a privileged WASP society."
The next film, by extension, should be Midnight Cowboy. These are two movies we weren't allowed to see as young teenagers. When I finally did, we talked about the daughter's choices. Girls at the time were expected to marry, period, but Ben is just not it.
Quienten Tarantino used the opening shot from this movie with Pam Grier in Jackie Brown.
I get what you're saying about the undeserved second chance but I always suspected she did it to spite her mother. She knew her mother much better than Benjamin after all. The ins and outs from then are just them not knowing what the hell they're doing, where they're going or exactly how they really feel. I think the tragedy happens after the film ends.
I am so glad to see tou finally get to some blockbuster 70s (my era) movies! Try Midnight Cowboy and Scarecrow too!❤
Great video pal so many great films in the 60s like bonnie and clyde, in the heat of the night, cool hand luke etc hope you will get to cover them.
This is a top 100 all time film for me. Thematically timeless.
Great movie!
That opening airport scene on the walkway gets homaged by Tarantino in Jackie Brown.
Please consider watching Harold and Maude, another "sorta wild" love story from the era...
He’s seen it!
@@williamdavis8076 Really? Must have missed that, thanks.
Awesome movie.
all I can say is thank goodness hollywood shrugged off the Hays code
at 27:33 LMAO! Great reaction -- crazy, right?
This movie…ugh. Okay, fun fact:
This came out the year after the Hollywood took away the restriction of having sexually related scenes and nudity. It’s one of my favorite films. Just such a perfect coming of age story. 💚..
Have you seen, “Living in Oblivion?” It is a filmaker’s treat!
Dustin Hoffman was scheduled to be in Mel Brooks' "The Producers" but got this opportunity and Brooks let him out of the contract so he could do The Graduate.
The best line of Murray Hamilton (Mr. Robinson): "I think you are filth!" "I think you are scum!"
Is this really a happy ending? The sports car and his money are probably from the parents as graduation gifts, but the money is finite and ready to run out. So, he got the girl, but he still doesn't know what he wants to do for a career. They are the scourge of their families and in the end, they are not sure of what they have done.
The novel's author and the main character had a lot in common.