The Graduate

[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.

Quote de jyl

The end, what end, "that's the end?" In 2012, you're thinking this must be a set-up for a sequel, no movie can actually not have a conclusive wrapped up ending. But back then, as I recall, this sort of non-ending was pretty common.



Oh, I'd forgotten just how creepy Anne Bancroft is in the movie. Some of her shots are so scary.

I watched it the other night on Netflix, for the first time in a while.



Not sure why you say it has a non-ending. Love prevails, he gets the girl and they drive off (literally) into the sunset. Not sure how much more of a definitive end you can get. Show them all the way to the nursing home/grave?



(Although if the movie were current, and a hit, there'd for sure be "The Graduate II - Beleagured Mid Level Office Worker" where they are married, Anne Bancroft is the wacky now-remarried grandmother still hitting on Ben, etc.)



Agree 100% on the Anne Bancroft thing. I had that exact same reaction, I'd forgotten how creepy she is in the movie. My recollection was more straight MILF-y. 60" of modern high def doesn't help her much!

[ossiblue]

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.

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.

[Flieger]

The Sound of Silence is pretty haunting. Sets a heavy mood. Maybe a little too heavy for me. Dylan's a little more lively with the bluesy folky songs.

I wonder if they will show this movie in my "Music of the 60's" class this spring quarter.

[Wilhelm]

Another interesting and somewhat strange Dustin Hoffman movie from the 60's is Midnight Cowboy.
I don't recall ever seeing it on TV. It was a pretty big deal back in 1969. Here is the opening with Jon Voight.

[Baz]

FWIW "A Bridge Too Far" is on right now....Military Channel. Still has another 45 minutes to go till the end. I have the DVD.

Haven't read the entire thread yet but will - love pop-culture discussions....oh and Katherine Ross.....

[Baz]

"Back to the Future", "North by Northwest", and "Lawrence of Arabia".

Regarding the current generation and the level of appreciation for the pop-culture we grew up with and before....I think it boils down to how they are influenced by their parents more than anything.

My Dad was a HUGE music lover. I will always remember all the bands and musicians he admired because he showed them to me as they played on our big console stereo in the living room. Lionel Hampton on Vibes, Jack Teagarden on Trombone, Herb Albert and the Tijuana Brass, Dave Brubeck, Perry Como, Nat King Cole, Sinatra, Dean Martin, Ella Fitzgerald, etc. etc......

Now as far as movies.....John Wayne in "The Green Berets" at the local drive in....then the downtown theater to watch "It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World"...my Dad loved classic movies and of course that rubbed off on us kids.

I guess what I'm saying is the apple doesn't fall far from the tree in most cases. There are exceptions but in my opinion kids will always soak up more from their parents (good or bad) than any other influence.

I salute all of you who have invested in your children.

[tabs]

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.

Really NOW... Times were achangin in the 60's, so what things would change to was uncertain. The end of the movie is where they ride off together into an uncertain future. They have both rejected the Status Que of doing what was expected of them. They are going off together to forge their own futures on their own terms. Two perspectives from different points of view.

Ben tells his parents he is going to marry Elaine Robinson, his parents ask a bunch of questions, then say, "Ben this sounds half baked." to which he says, "No it is fully baked."

The end of the Graduate is quite affirmative in that both Elaine and Ben have stood up and said no to their parents idea as to how they should live their lives The movie is about a young persons search for their own idenity, finding their own course and meaning in life. As juxtaposed against defining their own meaning as to what love and marriage means.

[porwolf]

And then there is another movie, born in 1966, same period when the 911 was introduced:
o

[mikeesik]

Originally Posted by red-beard

LIttle big man

I second that.

[mikeesik]

Chaplin movies were a big hit with the Kids.
They really liked-City Lights.

[Baz]

"A River Runs Through It"

That's a good movie to watch with your kid - especially if you fly fish (or any kind of fish really).