Quote:
Originally Posted by jyl
They are in the back seat of the bus, exhilarated and smiling. Today, the movie would end there, with triumphal music and a long kiss. But The Graduate doesn't end there. Elaine loses her smile, her expression turns uncertain, she fidgets. Ben alternates between a manic grin, which we know isn't like him, and a lost look. They never touch each other, or even look at each other. That's what I mean by a non-ending. It's not at all clear that this escape will last, that this couple will stay together, that there will be an ever after.
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Exactly!
And don't forget the soundtrack playing over the parting shot ("The Sound of Silence") and the opening lyrics at that point in the scene. If that isn't visual and auditory uncertainty, then what is?
Great film.