The Graduate (PG, 1967)

common sense media says

Influential coming-of-age sex comedy.


parents & educators say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this is a unique comedy charting an affair between a young man and a married friend of his parents. Much time is spent on the initial seduction and subsequent clandestine meetings in hotel rooms. Though no graphic depictions of intercourse are shown, there are brief shots of female nudity during the seduction and later in a nightclub scene, where a woman strips down to underwear and pasties. Language is fairly restrained, with a few minor curse words, like "ass" or "damn" used sparingly. Many of the adults are shown drinking alcohol and smoking cigarettes very casually and with an air of acceptance.

Positive messages: Ben has an adulterous affair with an older woman.
Violence: Not applicable.
Sex: Although only brief nudity is present, sex is an ever-present topic. Ben has an affair with a married woman, then falls in love with her daughter.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: Celebration of elaborate gifts (Alfa Romeo, Scuba gear).
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Some 60s-level drinking and smoking.

More on The Graduate

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about how well this movie has aged. Does Benjamin's lack of direction upon graduating seem applicable today, or is it more reflective of the state of youth in the 60s? Parents will definitely want to address his complicated relationship with Mrs. Robinson. Does Mrs. Robinson seem genuinely interested in Benjamin? If not, what might her motives be in seducing him? Why does Elaine seem to gain appeal for Benjamin when Mrs. Robinson forbids him to see her? Why is the movie called The Graduate?

What's the story?

What's the story?
After Benjamin Braddock (Dustin Hoffman) graduates from college, he's disinterested in everything, career related or not. A family friend, Mrs. Robinson (Anne Bancroft), propositions him with an offer of casual sex. The affair seems to bring Benjamin a certain level of contentment. Soon Ben finds problems with their relationship and develops an interest in the Robinsons' daughter Elaine (Katherine Ross), much to Mrs. Robinsons' disapproval.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
Much has been said about the success and aftershocks of the release of THE GRADUATE in 1967. Certainly its deadpan humor and the main character's palpable sense of unease resonated with audience members steeped in the rising counterculture movement. It stands as a document of an era. The lush soundtrack by Simon and Garfunkel underscores a pervasive melancholy throughout the film, while also giving certain quiet moments an astounding serenity –- a marriage of pop music and film that influenced many later films.

Another way this movie is influential: The plot seems to build towards an energetic climax, but the actual closing moments are listless, providing little closure. This way of leaving a film open-ended and unsettled, above all else, influenced many of the cinematic treasures of the late 1960s and early 1970s, a period that most look back on as golden days of motion picture history.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: MGM/UA
Director: Mike Nichols
Cast: Anne Bancroft, Dustin Hoffman, Katharine Ross
Genre: Comedy
Run time: 105 minutes
Theatrical release: December 22, 1967
DVD release: December 7, 1999
MPAA Rating: PG

This review was written by David Gurney
 
 

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Most useful reviews by all members


kid, 12 years old
 
a very bad movie plus you rate it 16 equeals shouldnt have been pg..or pg-13


teen, 14 years old
 
a very bad movie plus you rate it 16 equeals shouldnt have been pg..or pg-13


kid, 11 years old
 
a very bad movie plus you rate it 16 equeals shouldnt have been pg..or pg-13

FightClub
teen, 15 years old
 
git r done
Great film! watched it two hours ago! higly reccomend for movie fans

Grace1111
teen, 16 years old
 
enjoyable
Dustin Hoffman is amazing as usual and I really loved the music and the cinematography. It should probably have a PG-13 rating by today's rating, but I think it's pretty normal for older movies that today be rated PG-13 rated PG.

mongofa
teen, 17 years old
 
Good for teens
Great movie. Dustin Hoffman gives an amzing perfomrmance, but it shoud be rated higher than PG.

Blue_Spiderberry
teen, 18 years old
 
Great movie, fine for most teens
Great movie. Sex is definatley a central theme but it should be fine for a reasonably mature teenager.

BigGreenMovieM ...
teen, 13 years old
 
Great Film!
Great film, very entertaining, but by todays standards the film would receive a PG-13 instead of a PG.

florianbell
teen, 13 years old
 
Bam
Classic but extremely sexual. ]

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