The Graduate (1967)

The Graduate

The Graduate (1967) is a sharp, bittersweet coming-of-age drama with a darkly comic edge. You follow Benjamin Braddock, a recent college grad adrift and anxious about his future, who is drawn into a furtive affair with the worldly, manipulative Mrs. Robinson and then — to his surprise — falls for her much younger daughter, Elaine. Under Mike Nichols’s taut direction and buoyed by iconic Simon & Garfunkel music, the film layers awkward humor, simmering sexual tension, and social satire to explore alienation, desire, and the gap between expectation and identity. Performances by Dustin Hoffman, Anne Bancroft and Katharine Ross make the characters feel raw and believable; the camera work and soundtrack create an intimate, often uncomfortable atmosphere. Watching The Graduate, you’ll feel equal parts amused, unsettled, and sympathetic as Ben stumbles toward a passionate but morally complicated choice, culminating in a powerful, ambiguous finale that lingers long after the credits roll.

Actors: Dustin Hoffman, Anne Bancroft, Katharine Ross

Director: Mike Nichols

Runtime: 106 min

Genres: Comedy, Drama, Romance

Filmaffinity Rating 7.5 /10 Metacritic Rating 83 /100 IMDB Rating 8.0 /10 Bmoat Rating 7.9 /10