Impeccably cast and flawlessly shot and acted, 'The Graduate' is as close to perfection as a feature film can hope to achieve. This doesn't mean that it speaks to all the deepest questions we humans can ask; only that it surpasses its goals of being extremely funny and deeply poignant, often at the same time.
For those seven Americans who don't know the plot, a summation: Ben (Dustin Hoffman, in his starmaking role) has just graduated with honors from college and has no idea what to do with his life. Content to spend his days floating in his parents' backyard swimming pool, Ben soon falls into an affair with Mrs. Robinson, an older family friend. After pressures from his unsuspecting parents, Ben takes Mrs. Robinson's daughter Elaine on a date and falls in love with the girl. When she learns of Ben's affair with her mother, Elaine forces Ben's hand, and he must choose whether to continue on his lackadaisical path or take his life into his own hands.
'The Graduate' is a masters class in screenwriting, featuring constantly raised stakes, unique situations, and infinitely quotable dialogue. With actors who completely inhabit their characters, inventive editing, and one of the finest final scenes in film history, 'The Graduate,' despite occasional claims to the contrary, cannot be overrated.
YES (10/10)
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