The Graduate
Mike Nichols
Directed by:
1967


This is a pretty good film whose surprisingly good visual style compliments the solid storyline and messaging. Let's talk about the former first; the visuals, especially the cinematography and editing, are extremely well done. There are several scenes in the film that are captivating without much in the way of dialouge or other interesting quality, carried entirely by some unique transitions, editing, sound design, and just well done shots. The editing and framing lend itself to the themes of isolation well. Speaking of the themes, they're pretty good. I get the impression that this movie is supposed to be generally relatable for a lot of young people, but it wasn't entirely to me. Maybe its because I don't get into the same kind of trouble that Ben does in this film, but maybe I just need to age a few more years for the movie to really sink in. Anyway, the storyline and overall messaging are solid and fit well together, and its a great story both in terms of its overall relevance to life and because of its semi-strong dramatic qualities. The main character is funny to watch, especially in the beginning, and I was invested quite a bit into the crazy story. Pretty good watch overall.
