The Graduate (1967)

Elevator Pitch: Bejamin graduates from college and is feted by his parents at a homecoming party, but feels alienated and distressed. He is asked by the wife of his father’s business partner, Mrs Robinson, to drive her home who, once in the house, attempts to seduce him. It is only the arrival of the husband which prevents things going further, and they have an affair meeting for sex in a local hotel. Later Benjamin and Elaine, the Robinson’s daughter, are prompted to go out together by the parents, with unexpected results.

Content: There are many scenes of Mrs Robinson and Benjamin in the hotel room, but no actual nudity or sex (despite the X rating), and one scene in a strip club. The parents are awful, and Benjamin spends most of his time, when not in bed with Mrs Robinson, floating on a lilo in the family swimming pool, and once in scuba gear under the surface. There is a lot of driving about in an absolutely crap Alfa sports car, and later his unremitting pursuit of Elaine.

A View: In 2019 this is a fairly fun film and my wife and I enjoyed it with some reservations. The ages of the participants are all over the place, and if anything Benjamin is a stalker, chasing after Elaine against her wishes. Then she is getting married. What! They are college kids. I think that things have changed a bit in the last 50 years making the film a bit period. It is not laugh out loud funny, but it is fun and probably worth the cost of a download.

Additional Info: In 2000 there was a stage adaptation of the original novel, the producers having the bright idea of getting well known actresses playing Mrs Robinson to get their gear off under what might be called “controlled conditions”. Those baring all included Kathleen Turner, Lorraine Bracco, Jerry Hall, Amanda Donohoe, Morgan Fairchild, Anne Archer, Vera Fischer, Patricia Richardson and Linda Grey.