History Film / TheGraduate

* AntiHero: Benjamin is a ClassicalAntiHero fundamentally. He sleeps with a married woman, Mrs. Robinson, and then also goes out on a date with her daughter, Elaine, who he then stalks. He's fundamentally a good guy, but he isn't exactly the most selfless guy around, and on his date with Elaine he behaves like a pathetic, self-absorbed dick. Let's say his insecurities often lead him to behave badly.

Disaffected college graduate Benjamin Braddock (Hoffman), having no idea of what to do with his life and receiving no guidance from his shallow parents or their shallow friends, passes his days drifting aimlessly. He begins a clandestine affair with the wife (Creator/AnneBancroft) of his father's business partner, who is always "MrsRobinson" to him. However, Ben's parents have plans to match him up with Mrs. Robinson's daughter, Elaine (Katharine Ross). Both Ben and Mrs. Robinson are against this idea, for different reasons, and Ben has every intention of making Elaine hate him as much as possible... until the two hit it off.

* AdaptationalUgliness: In the book, Ben is quite handsome, which makes Mrs. Robinson seem a good deal less desperate. In fact, Ben's awkwardness in general is artistic license by Nichols and Hoffman; Ben's character in the book is a prototypical WASP goodboy athlete brimming with confidence and charisma (Creator/RobertRedford was the original choice to play the role, only to be turned down because he was so successful with ladies, he had no idea what it was like to strike out with a girl). Dustin Hoffman's short stature, darker features, awkward clumsiness and insecurity (of which the affair with Mrs. Robinson is the chief catalyst in ridding him) are not present in the book.

Disaffected college graduate Benjamin Braddock (Hoffman), having no idea what to do with his life and receiving no guidance from his shallow parents or their shallow friends, passes his days drifting aimlessly. He begins a clandestine affair with the wife (Creator/AnneBancroft) of his father's business partner, who is always "MrsRobinson" to him. However, his parents have plans to match him up with Mrs. Robinson's daughter, Elaine (Katharine Ross). Ben and Mrs. Robinson both detest the idea, though for different reasons, and Ben has every intention of making Elaine hate him as much as possible... until the two hit it off.

Disaffected college graduate Benjamin Braddock (Hoffman), having no idea what to do with his life and receiving no guidance from his shallow parents or their shallow friends, passes his days drifting aimlessly. He begins a clandestine affair with the wife (Creator/AnneBancroft) of his father's business partner, who is always "MrsRobinson" to him. However, his parents have plans to match him up with Mrs. Robinson's daughter, Elaine (Katharine Ross). Ben and Mrs. Robinson both detest the idea for different reasons, and he has every intention of making Elaine hate him as much as possible... until the two hit it off.

* LikeASonToMe: Early in the film, Mr. Robinson has a heart-to-heart with Ben where he calls him this, and then offers him the fatherly advice to "sow a few wild oats, have a good time with the girls, and so forth". This, minutes after his wife has (unbeknownst to him) offered herself to Ben. Unfortunately, this changes drastically when Mrs. Robinson tells her family of Ben's affairs with her, [[FalseRapeAccusation presenting her side of the story as a rape victim.]]

* AffablyEvil: Mrs. Robinson, who seduces Ben and calls the police on him later, but she retains her high-class cordiality.

* AntiHero: Benjamin who sleeps with a married woman, Mrs. Robinson, and then also goes out on a date with her daughter, Elaine, who he then stalks.

* BettyAndVeronica: An odd but fairly well-done contrast between Mrs. Robinson and her daughter, Elaine.

%% * LadyDrunk: Mrs. Robinson, of course.

* UnsympatheticComedyProtagonist: Ben, while not a jerk, lacks sympathetic traits.

* CoolCar: The Alfa Romeo Spider, which became so associated with the movie that in later years there was a trim level called "Graduate". Becomes an [[TheAllegedCar Alleged Car]] when it breaks down towards the end of the film, although to be fair it did get driven half-way across California and back by a guy who DrivesLikeCrazy.

* EarnYourHappyEnding: {{Deconstructed}}. Ben and Elaine both fought desperately to be with each other, and once they finally do and make their get away, they slowly realize AndThenWhat, pointing out that it may have been AllForNothing.

* LoveAtFirstSight: Ben and Elaine: one date which gets off to a very rocky start, then they share burgers and life stories in a drive-in restaurant, then some uncomfortable truths are aired, and months later he's still willing to drive up to Berkeley to chase after her. Hardly a day after they have an argument, they're talking about marriage, and their passion seems to go strong for the rest of the movie — not counting the last seven seconds. Granted Ben and Elaine fall for each other very quickly but its still not at first sight. Especially since its implied in an earlier scene that they knew each other before their date. It also helps that they both realize during their date that their life situations are very similar and that they're the only ones who can truly understand each other and what they're going through.

* PlayingGertrude: Anne Bancroft was only thirty-six at the time, just ''nine'' years older than her on-screen daughter - though she was given make-up to appear older. William Daniels was also just ten years older than his on-screen son.

** In another sequence when, at yet another party thrown by his parents, Ben is forced to display the scuba gear he recently received, despite his overall unwillingness to be there. The scene is shot from Ben's perspective inside the suit, making the voices and sight of the guests distorted and distant until Ben finally gets to the pool and is able to submerge himself, when it all goes silent, symbolising the disconnect he feels from his parents social environment and life style, and his subtle wish to escape it all.

* BigBad: Mrs. Robinson.

* ChekhovsHobby: It's mentioned at his graduation party that Ben was captain of the cross country team and a track star in college. Golly, I wonder if he'll have to do some running later...

* [[{{Tsundere}} Hot and Cold]]: Mrs. Robinson, towards the beginning of the film.

The book has a sequel, ''Home School'', published 40 years after the release of the movie due to copyright issues.

* CoolCar: The Alfa Romeo Spider, which became so associated with the movie that in later years there was a trim level called "Graduate".

[[quoteright:335:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/img_0933.JPG]]
[[caption-width-right:335:''"[[MrsRobinson Mrs. Robinson,]] you're trying to seduce me, aren't you?"'']]

This classic 1967 {{dramedy}} film, [[TheFilmOfTheBook based on]] Charles Webb's novel of the same name and directed by Creator/MikeNichols, is famous for being the first "serious" movie to be specifically targeted at the Baby Boomer generation, for prominently featuring Music/SimonAndGarfunkel music (most memorably an early version of the toe-tapper "Mrs. Robinson"), and for skyrocketing Creator/DustinHoffman to fame. It also contains ''many'' extremely memorable and oft-parodied lines (particularly, "Mrs. Robinson, you're trying to seduce me") and scenes (such as the climax where [[TheGraduateHomageShot Ben rescues Elaine from her wedding]]).

* {{Cuckold}}: Mr. Robinson is the clueless husband who doesn't know his wife is cheating on him.

* AmbiguousEnding[=/=]BittersweetEnding: The film ends on a rather ambiguous note, leaving the viewer to wonder [[spoiler:whether Benjamin and Elaine will live HappilyEverAfter or are doomed to repeat the mistakes of their parents and get caught in a loveless marriage.]]
** [[spoiler: The sequel of the book, ''Home School'', shows them as having a difficult but still consistent life with two kids.]]

* ThemeTuneCameo: It's not the main theme, but Ben whistles the "Mrs. Robinson" song while driving in one scene, and again later when he buys the engagement ring for Elaine.

* OffIntoTheDistanceEnding: The famous {{ThousandYardStare}}s of Ben and Elaine at the end are actually the next-to-last shot; the last shot is the bus trundling off into the distance as the camera fades to black.

This classic 1967 {{dramedy}} film, [[TheFilmOfTheBook based on]] Charles Webb's novel of the same name and directed by Creator/MikeNichols, is famous for being the first "serious" movie to be specifically targeted at the Baby Boomer generation, for prominently featuring Music/SimonAndGarfunkel music (most memorably an alternate version of the classic toe-tapper "Mrs. Robinson"), and for skyrocketing Creator/DustinHoffman to fame. It also contains ''many'' extremely memorable and oft-parodied scenes and lines (particularly, "Mrs. Robinson, you're trying to seduce me" and the climax where [[TheGraduateHomageShot Ben rescues Elaine from her wedding]]).

This 1967 {{Dramedy}} film, directed by Creator/MikeNichols and [[TheFilmOfTheBook based on]] Charles Webb's 1963 novel of the same title, is famous for being the first "serious" movie to be specifically targeted at the Baby Boomer generation, for prominently featuring Music/SimonAndGarfunkel music (most memorably an alternate version of the classic toe-tapper "Mrs. Robinson"), and for skyrocketing Creator/DustinHoffman to fame. It also contains ''many'' extremely memorable and oft-parodied scenes and lines (particularly, "Mrs. Robinson, you're trying to seduce me" and the climax where [[TheGraduateHomageShot Ben rescues Elaine from her wedding]]).

[-[[caption-width-right:335:"[[MrsRobinson Mrs. Robinson,]] you're trying to seduce me, aren't you?"]]-]

This 1967 {{Dramedy}} film, directed by Creator/MikeNichols and based on Charles Webb's 1963 novel of the same title, is famous for being the first "serious" movie to be specifically targeted at the Baby Boomer generation, for prominently featuring Music/SimonAndGarfunkel music (most memorably an alternate version of the classic toe-tapper "Mrs. Robinson"), and for skyrocketing Creator/DustinHoffman to fame. It also contains ''many'' extremely memorable and oft-parodied scenes and lines (particularly, "Mrs. Robinson, you're trying to seduce me" and the climax where [[TheGraduateHomageShot Ben rescues Elaine from her wedding]]).

This 1967 {{Dramedy}} film, directed by Creator/MikeNichols and based on Charles Webb's 1963 novel of the same title, is famous for being the first "serious" movie to be specifically targeted at the Baby Boomer generation, for prominently featuring Music/SimonAndGarfunkel music (most memorably an alternate version of the classic toe-tapper "Mrs. Robinson"), and for skyrocketing Creator/DustinHoffman to fame. It also contains ''many'' extremely memorable and oft-parodied scenes and lines (particularly, "Mrs. Robinson, you're trying to seduce me" and the climax where Ben rescues Elaine from her wedding).

* ComingOfAgeStory: The film is about Benjamin trying to find himself and escape the suburban ennui that his parents and his girlfriend's parents have found themselves in. While and Elaine do succeed in getting away from the lives forced upon them by their families, it's ambiguous whether they'll be able to avoid making the same mistakes as their parents.

* GettingCrapPastTheRadar: During the scene when Ben brings Mrs. Robinson's purse into Elaine's room, she closes the door, and brief glimpses of her bare bosom can be briefly seen in split-second moments.

-->'''Mr. Robinson''': All right, now listen to this. I don't know whether I can prosecute, but I think I can. I think I can get you behind bars if you ever look at my daughter again. Now, I've seen Elaine, and I've made damn sure you can't get to her. Stay away from me, Ben! I don't want to mince words with you. As far as Elaine is concerned, you're to get her out of your filthy mind right now! Is that perfectly clear to you? And that's all, Ben. You'll pardon me if I don't shake hands with you. I think you are filth. I think you are scum. You are a degenerate!

** Last but not least, Mrs. Robinson gets one of the first F-bombs (unheard, but easily read on her lips) in mainstream cinema during the climactic wedding scene when Benjamin shows up at the church.

** Last, but not least, Mrs. Robinson gets one of the first F-bombs in mainstream cinema during the climactic wedding scene when Benjamin shows up at the church.

[[quoteright:320:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/img_0933.JPG]]
[-[[caption-width-right:320:"[[MrsRobinson Mrs. Robinson,]] you're trying to seduce me, aren't you?"]]-]

This 1967 {{Dramedy}} film, directed by Creator/MikeNichols and based on Charles Webb's novel of the same title, is famous for being the first "serious" movie to be specifically targeted at the Baby Boomer generation, for prominently featuring Music/SimonAndGarfunkel music (most memorably an alternate version of the toe-tapper "Mrs. Robinson"), and for skyrocketing Creator/DustinHoffman to fame. It also contains ''many'' extremely memorable and oft-parodied scenes and lines (particularly, "Mrs. Robinson, you're trying to seduce me" and the climax where Ben rescues Elaine from her wedding).

This 1967 drama film, directed by Creator/MikeNichols and based on Charles Webb's novel of the same title, is famous for being the first "serious" movie to be specifically targeted at the Baby Boomer generation, for prominently featuring Music/SimonAndGarfunkel music (most memorably an alternate version of the toe-tapper "Mrs. Robinson"), and for skyrocketing Creator/DustinHoffman to fame. It also contains ''many'' extremely memorable and oft-parodied scenes and lines (particularly, "Mrs. Robinson, you're trying to seduce me" and the climax where Ben rescues Elaine from her wedding).

->''"I just want to say one word to you. Just one word. Plastics."''

This 1967 comedy-drama film, directed by Creator/MikeNichols and based on Charles Webb's novel of the same title, is famous for being the first "serious" movie to be specifically targeted at the Baby Boomer generation, for prominently featuring Music/SimonAndGarfunkel music (most memorably an alternate version of the toe-tapper "Mrs. Robinson"), and for skyrocketing Creator/DustinHoffman to fame. It also contains ''many'' extremely memorable and oft-parodied scenes and lines (particularly, "Mrs. Robinson, you're trying to seduce me" and the climax where Ben rescues Elaine from her wedding).