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Summary Of The Film 'The Graduate'

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The iconic film The Graduate, directed by Mike Nichols shows the common struggle of a quarter-life crisis that most graduates face. Even though this film was released in 1967, its message is still very relevant today and revolutionary for its time. This Drama/Romance film was groundbreaking due to its use of sex and coming-of-age politics. The film won an Academy Award for best director and A Golden Globe for best director, best motion picture and best actress. All these awards were made possible due to the film's choice of screenplay, editing/ cinematographic choices, and secondary narrative.
The Graduates screenplay was based on the 1963 novel by Charles Webb where he really put himself in his character's shoes so that authenticity would …show more content…

The scuba gear or scuba diver is an allegory that is used throughout the film. In the opening scene, you see Benjamin looking through a fish tank where there is a scuba diver in the left corner with a gun pointed towards his head. At first you don’t find the figure important but when his parents come collect him from his room we see the first link to one of his suppressors. Later on in the scene Mrs.Robinson throws his car keys into the tank knocking over the figure also highlighting his other suppressor. Both of these events links these characters to the scuba diver which configures the allegory. The scuba diver is then brought to life later on in the film when Benjamin's parents buy him scuba gear for his birthday. The scuba divers allegory is demonstrating the weight of the real world downing Benjamin. Infact the scene when he puts on the scuba gear Nicolas highlights the fact that his parents are pushing him further into the pool, drowning him further. In the end of the scene the camera pans back and Benjamin appears just like the icon in the fish tank showing that his parents and Mrs. Robinson are key parts in why the real world is drowning him (Green, …show more content…

The use of screenplay in the film gave the story multiple layers that only watching the film more than once will expose. The film's editing and cinematography also helped the film gain the reputation it has today. The use of long scenes, transitions and symbolic zooms helped give the viewer a sense of time and emotions that took place throughout the film. Lastly The Graduate’s secondary narrative added an extra depth to the film by its use of allegories and symbols. Even though The Graduate was released in 1967 the film will remain a legacy due to topic, it depicts an entire nation feeling’s after graduation or even after getting married. It shows uncertainty which for most films at this time was unheard of and for most films today as well. It gives an insight to the real emotions of the world once University is complete causing people to be captivated with the story for years to

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