The Graduate

The Graduate
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Name	The Graduate
Director	Mike Nichols
Producer	Lawrence Turman
Writer	Buck Henry, Calder Willingham
Starring	Dustin Hoffman, Anne Bancroft, Katharine Ross
Music	Simon & Garfunkel
Cinematography	Robert Surtees
Editing	Sam O'Steen
Studio	Embassy Pictures, United Artists
Released	1967
Runtime	105 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$3 million
Gross	$104.9 million

The Graduate is a classic American comedy-drama film directed by Mike Nichols and released in 1967 by Embassy Pictures and United Artists. The film stars Dustin Hoffman as Benjamin Braddock, a recent University of California, Berkeley graduate who becomes infatuated with an older woman, Mrs. Robinson, played by Anne Bancroft, and her daughter Elaine Robinson, played by Katharine Ross. The movie features a memorable soundtrack by Simon & Garfunkel, including the iconic songs The Sound of Silence and Mrs. Robinson. The film's success can be attributed to the collaboration of Mike Nichols and Lawrence Turman, who worked together to bring the novel by Charles Webb to life on the big screen, with the help of Columbia University and University of Southern California alumni.

Plot

The plot of the film revolves around Benjamin Braddock, a young graduate who returns home to Los Angeles after completing his degree at University of California, Berkeley. He becomes embroiled in an affair with Mrs. Robinson, the wife of his father's business partner, Mr. Robinson, played by Murray Hamilton. As the story unfolds, Benjamin Braddock falls in love with Elaine Robinson, who is engaged to Carl Smith, played by Brian Avery. The film explores themes of alienation, rebellion, and the challenges of transitioning from adolescence to adulthood, as experienced by Benjamin Braddock and his peers at University of California, Los Angeles and University of Michigan. The movie's narrative is influenced by the works of Franz Kafka, Albert Camus, and Jean-Paul Sartre, and features references to Harvard University, Yale University, and Princeton University.

Production

The production of the film was a collaborative effort between Mike Nichols and Lawrence Turman, who worked together to bring the novel by Charles Webb to life on the big screen. The film was shot on location in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Santa Barbara, with the help of University of California, Los Angeles and University of Southern California students. The cinematography was handled by Robert Surtees, who used innovative techniques to capture the mood and atmosphere of the film, inspired by the works of Stanley Kubrick and Alfred Hitchcock. The editing was done by Sam O'Steen, who worked closely with Mike Nichols to create a seamless narrative, using techniques developed at New York University and University of California, Berkeley. The film's soundtrack, featuring the music of Simon & Garfunkel, was a key element in setting the tone and mood of the film, and was influenced by the music of Bob Dylan, The Beatles, and The Rolling Stones.

Release

The film was released in 1967 by Embassy Pictures and United Artists, and was a major commercial success, grossing over $104 million at the box office, making it one of the highest-grossing films of the year, alongside Bonnie and Clyde and The Dirty Dozen. The film premiered at the New York Film Festival and was later released in theaters across the United States, including New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago. The film's success can be attributed to the marketing efforts of United Artists and the positive word-of-mouth from audiences, who were drawn to the film's relatable themes and memorable characters, including Benjamin Braddock and Mrs. Robinson. The film's release coincided with the Summer of Love and the emergence of the counterculture movement, which was influenced by the works of Allen Ginsberg, Jack Kerouac, and William S. Burroughs.

Reception

The film received widespread critical acclaim upon its release, with many praising the performances of Dustin Hoffman and Anne Bancroft, as well as the direction of Mike Nichols. The film was nominated for seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor for Dustin Hoffman, and won one for Best Director. The film also received nominations for Golden Globe Awards, including Best Motion Picture - Drama and Best Director, and won several awards at the Cannes Film Festival and the Berlin International Film Festival. The film's success can be attributed to the positive reviews from critics, including Roger Ebert and Pauline Kael, who praised the film's originality and nuance, and its influence on the works of Martin Scorsese, Francis Ford Coppola, and Steven Spielberg.

Themes

The film explores several themes, including alienation, rebellion, and the challenges of transitioning from adolescence to adulthood, as experienced by Benjamin Braddock and his peers at University of California, Los Angeles and University of Michigan. The film also touches on the theme of social class and the constraints of societal expectations, as embodied by the characters of Mrs. Robinson and Mr. Robinson, who are influenced by the works of F. Scott Fitzgerald and Ernest Hemingway. The film's use of satire and social commentary adds depth and complexity to the narrative, and was influenced by the works of Jonathan Swift and Voltaire. The film's exploration of themes is also influenced by the works of Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung, and features references to Harvard University, Yale University, and Princeton University.

Legacy

The film's legacy is undeniable, with many considering it one of the greatest films of all time, alongside Citizen Kane and The Godfather. The film's influence can be seen in many other films and television shows, including American Beauty and The Sopranos, which were influenced by the works of David Lynch and Quentin Tarantino. The film's iconic soundtrack, featuring the music of Simon & Garfunkel, has become a staple of American popular culture, and has been referenced in numerous films, television shows, and commercials, including Forrest Gump and The Simpsons. The film's impact on popular culture is also evident in its influence on the works of Woody Allen, Martin Scorsese, and Francis Ford Coppola, and its references to University of California, Berkeley, University of Michigan, and New York University. The film's legacy continues to be felt today, with many regarding it as a timeless classic that continues to resonate with audiences, including students at University of California, Los Angeles and University of Southern California. Category:American films