The Graduate Review

1) Relate what was discussed in class or the text to the screening.

The Graduate won one Oscar and that was Best Director. The direction was probably the most notable aspect of the film. Mike Nichols did a fantastic job directing the film. One of the big reasons it was such a big success was the timing of the film. Nichols was able to direct it by presenting youth rebellion which was a big step for film. It was still in the process of stepping away from the censored, overly politically correct films. What was also very notable about the direction was the use of film techniques. While making the movie they actually cared about making a film, not just a piece of entertainment. Nichols managed to make the best of both worlds with his wildly entertaining film as well as using noticeable cuts and camera angles.

2)  Find a related article and summarize the content. 

One of the most acclaimed movie critics of all time had a lot of good things to say about The Graduate, but over time things seemed to change for him. Roger Ebert, may he rest in peace, wrote a review for the film when it came out in 1967. At the time he loved it and the only negative thing he had to say about it was the use of the Simon and Garfunkel songs. He even stated it as "the funniest American movie of the year." However, over time things changed. When the 30th Anniversary revival came out in 1997 for the film he rewrote his review. He still liked the film, but for its nostalgic value. He described as "is like looking at photos of yourself at an old fraternity dance. You're gawky and your hair is plastered down with Brylcreem, and your date looks as if you found her behind the counter at the Dairy Queen. But--who's the babe in the corner? The great-looking brunette with the wide-set eyes and the full lips and the knockout figure? Hey, it's the chaperone!" This time he pulled apart what the film was about and how each character was represented. Instead of seeing Benjamin as a heroic symbol of youth rebellion, he described him as an insufferable creep. He also changed his mind about the music. To him, the movie is like opening a time capsule and enjoying the movie for what it reminds him of.

http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-graduate-1967
http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-graduate-1997

 

3) Apply the article to the film screened in class.  

What do Roger Ebert's changing views of The Graduate have to say about the movie? They say that the movie is complicated. They say that there is more to it than just a college grad sleeping with a sexy, older woman. Like Ebert, I saw the film twice; once last summer and once in class. Viewing it a second time allowed me to focus on the the deeper meanings the film had to offer. What does Ben's character represent? Does it represent teenage rebellion of the 1960s or does it represent the deep generation gap of the time? These are questions raised when being able to see the film multiple times. It paves a path for a new perspective. Unlike most people in class, I had the opportunity to pick apart the film and dive deeper into what it presented. I was able to come out of my viewing with a whole new perspective on the film.

4) Write a critical analysis of the film, including your personal opinion,  formed as a result of the screening, class discussions, text material and the article.  

The Graduate is a film that not only will entertain, but also make the viewer think. It is incredibly funny, but also very intelligent. A lot of comedies nowadays focus on single straight forward jokes often times involving someone swearing a lot or without any clothes on; or perhaps even both. Don't get me wrong, I love watching cheep comedy just as much as the next guy, but there comes a time where there needs to be a comedy more refreshing and daring. The Graduate is that film. The film can be a movie for anyone because it provides what the general public wants but also what movie buffs want. Its clever yet sexual jokes will make anyone laugh and the creative use of the camera and the editing give film buffs something to take note of and learn from. The characters are also not your run-of-the-mill people who make you laugh when they fall down, they are much more deep than that. Each character has a story and has a soul that we can pull something from. For everyone that "something" is always different. The Graduate is a great film because it has that entertainment aspect that everyone can abide in, but also uses film as an art form which goes much more unnoticed these days.

1) (Yes) I have not handed in this assignment for any other class.

2) (Yes) If I reused any information from other papers I have written for other classes, I clearly explain that in the paper.

3) (Yes) If I used any passages word for word, I put quotations around those words, or used indentation and citation within the text.

4) (Yes) I have not padded the bibliography. I have used all sources cited in the bibliography in the text of the paper.

5) (Yes) I have cited in the bibliography only the pages I personally read.

6) (Yes) I have used direct quotations only in cases where it could not be stated in another way. I cited the source within the paper and in the bibliography.

7) (Yes) I did not so over-use direct quotations that the paper lacks interpretation or originality.

8) (Yes) I checked yes on steps 1-7 and therefore have been fully transparent about the research and ideas used in my paper.

Name: Geoffrey Perez_____________________________  Date: 2/12/13_______________________