The Graduate

Go back to a simpler time; a time when sons played baseball after school, daughters joined FHA (Future Homemaker of America), and parents were happily married. The whole family attended church on Sunday and afterwards, mother would make a pie while Pa and the boy played catch. This simpler time was the 60's. However, it was also the time of expecting mothers drinking, protests, and youth thinking about the old ways. The Graduate filmed in 1967 portrays the second version of the 60's. Do I reccomend this film? Ya Sure You Betcha!

The Graduate was directed by Mile Nichols staring the young and handsome Dustin Hoffman as Benjamin Braddock alongside the cougar, Mrs. Robinson played by Anne Bancroft. Ben is a young college grad that moves back home for the summer, trying to find his way in life. He's not the regular recent graduate seeing as he doesn't "sew wild seeds." He can barely talk with females let alone "sew" with them.


Here's to you Mrs. Robinson

Mrs. Robinson, one of Ben's parent's "best looking friends" has her eye on the awkwardly cute male lead. Her hormones rush and his face blushes as she disrobes, starting their physical relationship  Eventually, Ben and Mrs. Robinson galavant in a local hotel regularly with a no strings attatched policy. Well, one is string is attatched. Ben must never date Elaine, Mrs. Robinsons daughter played by Katharine Ross.

Right after Mrs. Robinson makes Ben promise to never date Elaine, any movie lover knows what will happen. Ben and Elaine end up dating and Ben's attention is moved from mother to daughter. The two kids have a jolly good time, while Elaine decides she must do the expected. She breaks the relationship with Ben for a more stable relationship with Carl Smith played by Brian Avery. Notice how entirely generic Carl's name is.

All the while Ben's parents wonder why Ben lays around all day by the pool and Mrs. Robinson's marriage crumbles, husband and wife sleeping in seperate beds like Ricky and Lucy on I Love Lucy. However, this seperation is not for censorship.

The 1960's. A simpler a time? A time when college graduates sleep with older women and plastics is the next big thing. A time when norms were changing, whether parents liked it or not. The Graduate reveals the historical changes with Simon and Garfunkle narating the story. If the 60's were a simpler time, I'm glad today is more "complicated."

Special Thanks to:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Graduate
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