The Graduate (1967)

Introduction

The Graduate is not just a film—it’s an era-defining work that helped define the countercultural shift of the 1960s. Directed by Mike Nichols in his feature film debut, this film is a classic coming-of-age tale drenched in satire, existential confusion, and sexual tension. It stands as a cultural milestone, capturing the disillusionment of a generation on the brink of massive societal changes. The film's exploration of youthful rebellion, personal identity, and the tension between societal expectations and individual desires still resonates today.

With a masterful blend of sharp humour, social commentary, and tragic romance, The Graduate remains a quintessential portrayal of the complexities of growing up and finding one's way in a world full of contradictions.

Plot Summary (Spoilers Ahead)

The film follows Benjamin Braddock (Dustin Hoffman), a 21-year-old recent college graduate, who is uncertain about his future. As he returns home to California after finishing his studies, he is welcomed into the world of upper-middle-class privilege by his well-meaning parents. However, Benjamin’s life takes an unexpected turn when he embarks on an affair with Mrs. Robinson (Anne Bancroft), the wife of his father’s business partner.

Mrs. Robinson is a sophisticated, seductive woman who, in the midst of a crumbling marriage, pursues Benjamin in a sexual relationship that is both illicit and emotionally cold. Over time, Benjamin becomes increasingly disillusioned with this affair, sensing a lack of genuine emotional connection.

Things take an even more complicated turn when Benjamin falls in love with Elaine Robinson (Katharine Ross), Mrs. Robinson’s daughter, whom Benjamin initially meets when he is introduced to her at a party. As Benjamin’s obsession with Elaine grows, he becomes entangled in a web of lies, deceit, and emotional turmoil, culminating in a desperate, chaotic attempt to stop her wedding to another man.

The film's iconic conclusion—Benjamin’s impulsive, last-minute interruption of Elaine’s wedding, followed by a daring escape to a bus—leaves audiences wondering whether Benjamin has truly found redemption or if he’s simply embarked on yet another confusing chapter of his life.

Themes and Analysis

Alienation and Disillusionment

The Graduate is perhaps best understood as a film about the disillusionment of youth. Benjamin’s confusion, apathy, and lack of direction reflect the sense of alienation that many young people felt during the 1960s. He is caught between the expectations of society (represented by his parents) and his own desires for meaning and independence.

Nichols and the screenwriters take great care in showing Benjamin’s discomfort with the adult world. His life seems empty, his parents are well-meaning but clueless, and his affair with Mrs. Robinson offers no real emotional satisfaction. The film suggests that the rituals of adulthood—graduation, career, marriage—are not necessarily the answers to the questions of youth, but often the source of deeper confusion.

The Crisis of Identity and Transition to Adulthood

The movie focuses on Benjamin’s internal crisis and his gradual realization that he is stuck in a world he doesn’t understand. This struggle is a universal one, particularly in the years following graduation, when the world suddenly seems full of opportunity, but with no clear path to follow.

Benjamin’s choice to begin an affair with Mrs. Robinson—an older woman—is his first attempt at grappling with his sexual identity and desires. However, their relationship is transactional, hollow, and driven more by Benjamin's desire to rebel and escape rather than any meaningful emotional connection. It is only when he falls in love with Elaine, who represents both innocence and the possibility of true intimacy, that he begins to confront the nature of his own identity, and what it means to truly connect with another person.

Benjamin's final, impulsive act of crashing Elaine's wedding represents a dramatic break from societal conventions, but it is unclear whether this decision is an act of true self-realization or a desperate escape from the very confusion that has plagued him throughout the film.

The Generation Gap

The film also explores the generation gap and the divide between the youth and their parents. Benjamin’s relationship with his parents is emblematic of the emotional distance that many young people feel from the older generation. His parents are eager for him to settle into a career and conform to societal norms, but they fail to understand the depth of his internal conflict. This generational disconnect is emphasized by Benjamin’s frequent moments of silence, where his discomfort and confusion are palpable.

In contrast, Mrs. Robinson’s own marriage to her husband, Mr. Robinson (Murray Hamilton), is depicted as cold and emotionally unfulfilling, which further highlights the alienation of adults as they struggle with their own dissatisfaction and unspoken desires. The older generation, represented by Mrs. Robinson, is also trapped in its own set of constraints, albeit a different kind of confinement from that of Benjamin.

Sexuality and Taboo

The affair between Benjamin and Mrs. Robinson is one of the most significant elements of the film, as it pushes the boundaries of social propriety. The film’s portrayal of sexual desire is complicated—what begins as a taboo, illicit relationship becomes a source of confusion and emotional pain for Benjamin. The fact that Benjamin initially engages in this affair because he is told to “stay away from Elaine” and because Mrs. Robinson makes the first move reveals a great deal about the character’s vulnerability and lack of agency.

What makes this relationship stand out is how it challenges traditional views of sexuality. Mrs. Robinson’s sexual agency is portrayed as both alluring and manipulative, and the film’s exploration of their affair offers a nuanced critique of gender and power dynamics in relationships.

Performances

Dustin Hoffman delivers a career-defining performance as Benjamin Braddock. Hoffman perfectly captures the awkwardness, confusion, and emotional vulnerability of a young man on the brink of adulthood. Benjamin’s facial expressions—often bewildered or uncertain—perfectly convey his internal struggle, making him one of the most memorable protagonists in cinematic history. His chemistry with both Anne Bancroft and Katharine Ross is palpable, and his ability to portray a character simultaneously naïve and cynical is one of the reasons the film has remained so impactful.

Anne Bancroft is equally compelling as Mrs. Robinson, the seductive, emotionally distant older woman who draws Benjamin into a dangerous web of deceit. Her performance blends allure with bitterness, and her character is far more complex than a mere "seductress." Bancroft’s portrayal of Mrs. Robinson is a nuanced take on the older woman trope, and she injects the character with depth and emotion.

Katharine Ross plays Elaine Robinson with both innocence and determination. Her character is the antithesis of Mrs. Robinson—representing purity and hope for Benjamin. Ross perfectly embodies the film’s thematic contrast between youthful idealism and adult disillusionment.

Direction and Cinematic Style

Mike Nichols’ direction is subtle yet brilliant. His approach allows the emotional core of the story to come through while also providing sharp social commentary. Nichols uses the camera to emphasize Benjamin’s sense of isolation, often placing him in wide, empty spaces or filming him from a distance, as though he’s observing life rather than participating in it.

The film’s pace is deliberate, allowing for moments of silence and contemplation, which enhances the feeling of alienation that Benjamin experiences. Nichols’s use of montage and juxtaposition—especially in the scenes where Benjamin and Mrs. Robinson are engaged in their affair—conveys a sense of emotional fragmentation.

The film’s soundtrack, particularly the songs by Simon & Garfunkel, is an essential part of its identity. The melancholy tones of “The Sound of Silence” and the hopeful refrain of “Mrs. Robinson” perfectly capture the emotional undercurrents of the film, amplifying the themes of isolation, rebellion, and emotional conflict.

Legacy and Influence

The Graduate was a ground breaking film that captured the zeitgeist of the 1960s, becoming a cultural touchstone for a generation. Its critical success—both commercially and artistically—made it one of the most influential films of the decade. The film’s impact is still felt in modern cinema, with its exploration of youth culture, personal rebellion, and complicated relationships continuing to resonate in contemporary storytelling.

The film also played a pivotal role in establishing Dustin Hoffman as a major star, and its success helped cement the careers of Mike Nichols and Anne Bancroft.

Conclusion

The Graduate is an audacious, poignant, and deeply insightful exploration of youth, sexuality, and self-discovery. It takes a fresh, satirical approach to the coming-of-age genre, blending comedy, drama, and social commentary in a way that was revolutionary for its time. With a perfect blend of sharp writing, memorable performances, and an unforgettable soundtrack, it’s a film that remains as relevant today as when it was first released.