The Graduate Screening Report:
1. “The
Graduate” is considered a film that highlighted the rebellious era of teenagers
during the 60’s and 70’s. The film was directed by Mike Nichols, who is known
for winning an Academy Award, which he won for this film, a Tony Award, a
Grammy and an Emmy. He then married famous news anchor Diane Sawyer in 1988 and
“The Graduate” was nominated for seven Academy Awards. It was a breakout role
for Dustin Hoffman, who plays Ben, a shy college track star who is worried
about his future, until he begins having an affair with his father’s business
partner’s wife Mrs. Robinson, played by Anne Bancroft. Furthermore, the film
uses some “obvious” camera angles but zooms in on the characters during certain
situations or uses sequences of cutaways.
2. The
article entitled “Why the Graduate is Essential” talks about the impact the
film left on audiences and gave them a new perspective on the upcoming
generation. However, director Mike Nichols’ take on the film was very
different; he stated how the film “is
not at all about the "generation gap," as it is so often perceived,
but about the idea of objectsthe material things people strive to
acquire and cling to in their lives, the objects through which people become
objects themselves. For him, Benjamin's story is not one of youth in rebellion
but of someone trying to become "active instead of passive" and
struggling "not to be used as an object" like everything surrounding
him.” Although Nichols’ view was very different from the audiences, the film
created the epiphany of “50’s vs. 60’s” and how teenagers were beginning to
break the norm and revolt against society. In addition, Dustin Hoffman’s
performance of Ben set the tone for future films and it “broke the mold” of
traditional acting to create more complex characters.
3. To
summarize, the article talks about the reasons why “The Graduate” is essential
in film history. It changed the game and made the audience aware that change
was imminent; thus, creating the divide between teens and adults of that era.
In addition, it gives Nichols contradicting comments on the film and the
reasons why he felt the need to make the movie.
4. Overall,
I can see why audiences felt as though the film changed the perception of
adolescence in America. The acting was very solid and Dustin Hoffman’s
performance was one to remember. His quick responses and witty banter with the
other characters made the film enjoyable. The film’s soundtrack was very good
and it created this very eerie tone at times but it worked for this film.
However, the song selection did feel very repetitive and there were times where
it felt like the music was not needed or another song could have been used for
a particular scene. In addition, even though Ben is considered the
“protagonist” in the story, you weren’t too sure whether you wanted to root for
or against him, which made the film even more entertaining and fun. There were
certain points in the film where the narrative was not as strong but it was
overshadowed by the great performances of the actors.
CHECKLIST FOR PLAGIARISM
1) (X) I have not handed in this
assignment for any other class.
2) (X) If I reused any information from other
papers I have written for other classes, I clearly explain that in the paper.
3) (X) If I used any passages word for word, I put quotations around those
words, or used indentation and citation within the text.
4) (X) I have not
padded the bibliography. I have used all sources cited in the bibliography in
the text of the paper.
5) (X) I have cited in the bibliography only the pages
I personally read.
6) (X) 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) (X) I did not so over-use direct quotations that the
paper lacks interpretation or originality.
8) (X) I checked yes on steps 1-7
and therefore have been fully transparent about the research and ideas used in
my paper.
Name: Wayne Clark
Date: 4/13/14
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