The Graduate

*The Graduate* is a highly influential American romantic comedy-drama film released in 1967. Directed by Mike Nichols, the film was written by Buck Henry and Calder Willingham. It is based on a 1963 novella by Charles Webb. The movie explores themes of uncertainty and complex relationships through the eyes of a recent college graduate. It is widely regarded as one of the greatest films ever made. In 1996, it was selected for preservation in the U.S. National Film Registry because it is culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.

The story follows Benjamin Braddock, played by Dustin Hoffman, after he earns his bachelor's degree. He returns to his parents' home in Pasadena, California. During a graduation party, he meets Mrs. Robinson, the wife of his father's law partner. Mrs. Robinson, played by Anne Bancroft, attempts to seduce him. Benjamin spends his summer drifting between his parents' swimming pool and meeting her at the Taft Hotel. He even uses the surname "Gladstone" to maintain a sense of privacy during these meetings. The plot becomes more complicated when Benjamin falls in love with Mrs. Robinson's daughter, Elaine, played by Katharine Ross.

As the narrative progresses, Benjamin's relationship with Elaine faces many obstacles. He initially tries to sabotage their relationship, but they eventually bond over their shared uncertainty about the future. Conflict arises when Mrs. Robinson threatens to reveal their affair to Elaine. Benjamin eventually tells Elaine the truth about her mother, which causes a major rift. The tension escalates when Mr. Robinson, Elaine's father, attempts to force her into a marriage with a medical student named Carl. In the famous final sequence, Benjamin rushes to a wedding in Santa Barbara. He arrives at the United Methodist Church in La Verne just as the ceremony ends.

To prevent the marriage, Benjamin uses a large cross to bar the church doors, trapping the guests inside. He and Elaine then escape together on a city bus. While they appear ecstatic at first, their expressions eventually shift to a sense of ambivalence. This ending is noted for being highly influenced by the 1924 comedy *Girl Shy*, starring Harold Lloyd. The film's production was quite difficult for the crew. Mike Nichols was a successful Broadway director but was largely unknown in Hollywood at the time. Many studios rejected the project because they did not find the source material funny.

Producer Lawrence Turman eventually secured financing through Joseph E. Levine. The casting process for the lead roles was also quite extensive. Many famous actresses, such as Ingrid Bergman and Eva Marie Saint, were considered for the role of Mrs. Robinson. For the role of Benjamin, Robert Redford and Harrison Ford were among the many actors who auditioned. Dustin Hoffman eventually won the part, despite his lack of experience with romantic scenes. Interestingly, Anne Bancroft and Katharine Ross were only eight years apart in age, despite playing mother and daughter. Hoffman's performance was sometimes met with negative reviews that some described as veiled anti-Semitism.

The film was a massive commercial success in North America. It grossed $104.9 million in the United States and Canada upon its release. When adjusted for inflation to 2021 values, that figure reaches approximately $857 million. This makes it the 22nd highest-grossing film in those regions. The film also received seven nominations at the 40th Academy Awards. Mike Nichols won the Oscar for Best Director for his work on the film. The American Film Institute ranked it as the 7th greatest American film in 2007.

The soundtrack played a vital role in the film's cultural impact. It featured music by the folk-rock duo Simon & Garfunkel. Their hit single "Mrs. Robinson" became a major part of the movie's identity. Originally, director Mike Nichols used their songs simply to help with the pacing of the editing. However, he later decided to include them as an official soundtrack, which was an unusual move at the time. Producer Lawrence Turman even negotiated a deal for Paul Simon to write new songs specifically for the movie. This collaboration helped boost the profile of the duo significantly.