“The Graduate” is a romantic comedy-drama about a college graduate returning home to his parents to find himself seduced by a bored middle-aged housewife, whose daughter he soon falls in love with. The sparks fly from there, tightly directed by Mike Nichols (“Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” 1966) from a finely written screenplay by Calder Willingham and Buck Henry. It was adapted from the 1963 novel of the same name by Charles Webb.
The cast was simply outstanding from top to bottom. Dustin Hoffman was smashing in the lead role of Benjamin Braddock, his first major part in a motion picture, which made him a star. He played very effectively off of veteran actress Ann Bancroft who was superbly devious as Mrs. Robinson. Co-stars include Katherine Ross as Elaine Robinson, Murray Hamilton as Mr. Robinson, William Daniels and Elizabeth Wilson as Hoffman’s parents, Buck Henry, Walter Brooke, Norman Fell, Richard Dreyfuss, Ben Murphy, Mike Farrell, Kevin Tighe, and Alice Ghostley and Marion Lorne appearing in small parts. Ghostly and Lorne both appeared in recurring roles in the television sitcom “Bewitched” (1964-1972), as Esmeralda and Aunt Clara, respectively.
The very watchable romp “The Graduate” was a huge hit at the box office for Lawrence Turman Productions, Embassy Pictures, and United Artists. It was the top grossing motion picture of 1967. It was nominated for seven Academy Awards, winning one for Best Director for Nichols. The non-winners were Best Picture, Best Actor (Hoffman), Best Actress (Bancroft), Best Supporting Actress (Ross), Best Screenplay, and Best Cinematography (Robert L. Surtees).
The soundtrack contain numerous hit songs by Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel, especially “Mrs. Robinson,” a huge hit on the charts for the pair. It won the Grammy Award for Best Soundtrack for a Motion Picture for Paul Simon (songs) and Dave Grusin (score). The theme song “Mrs. Robinson” won the Grammy for Record of the Year in 1968. “The Graduate” is certainly a memorable coming-of-age story for the ages.
The Graduate (1967)
cinema
My Review
“The Graduate” is a romantic comedy-drama about a college graduate returning home to his parents to find himself seduced by a bored middle-aged housewife, whose daughter he soon falls in love with. The sparks fly from there, tightly directed by Mike Nichols (“Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” 1966) from a finely written screenplay by Calder Willingham and Buck Henry. It was adapted from the 1963 novel of the same name by Charles Webb.
The cast was simply outstanding from top to bottom. Dustin Hoffman was smashing in the lead role of Benjamin Braddock, his first major part in a motion picture, which made him a star. He played very effectively off of veteran actress Ann Bancroft who was superbly devious as Mrs. Robinson. Co-stars include Katherine Ross as Elaine Robinson, Murray Hamilton as Mr. Robinson, William Daniels and Elizabeth Wilson as Hoffman’s parents, Buck Henry, Walter Brooke, Norman Fell, Richard Dreyfuss, Ben Murphy, Mike Farrell, Kevin Tighe, and Alice Ghostley and Marion Lorne appearing in small parts. Ghostly and Lorne both appeared in recurring roles in the television sitcom “Bewitched” (1964-1972), as Esmeralda and Aunt Clara, respectively.
The very watchable romp “The Graduate” was a huge hit at the box office for Lawrence Turman Productions, Embassy Pictures, and United Artists. It was the top grossing motion picture of 1967. It was nominated for seven Academy Awards, winning one for Best Director for Nichols. The non-winners were Best Picture, Best Actor (Hoffman), Best Actress (Bancroft), Best Supporting Actress (Ross), Best Screenplay, and Best Cinematography (Robert L. Surtees).
The soundtrack contain numerous hit songs by Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel, especially “Mrs. Robinson,” a huge hit on the charts for the pair. It won the Grammy Award for Best Soundtrack for a Motion Picture for Paul Simon (songs) and Dave Grusin (score). The theme song “Mrs. Robinson” won the Grammy for Record of the Year in 1968. “The Graduate” is certainly a memorable coming-of-age story for the ages.