The Graduate (USA 1967)


"Mrs. Robinson, you're trying to seduce me - aren't you?"

Cast: Dustin Hoffman, Anne Bancroft and sweet Katharine Ross
Director: Mike Nichols

Dustin Hoffman in his first major film role in a movie, which was a formative influence on the counterculture. He plays college graduate Benjamin Braddock in this drama/comedy movie that made him a star. Based on the novel by Charles Webb, the movie starts with pensive Ben returning home from college, accompanied by The Sounds of Silence from the great Simon and Garfunkel soundtrack. His parents throw a welcome-home-party for him, inviting all their boring money-making friends; and nobody seems to recognize Benjamin's disillusion. When a friend of his parents, middle-aged Mrs. Robinson, asks him to drive her home, the trouble and fun begin...
If you want to know, how it was (or how it should have been!) to live in the late 1960's then check this movie out. Dustin driving with his red Alfa Spider, eating burgers 'n fries in a drive-in, lounging on an air mattress in the pool...those were the days! Great dramatic scenes (Ben humiliating Elaine on their first date) and much fun, when Ben tries to act cool in front of the hotel desk clerk. An absolute must. The marvellous soundtrack features such classic songs as The Sounds of Silence, Mrs.Robinson and (my favorized) Scarborough Fair. Hoffman and Bancroft were nominated as best actor/actress. The oscar went to director Mike Nichols.

Music from The Graduate:

Available both in WAV and RealAudio RA format.
More great Simon and Garfunkel music:
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