The Graduate Film Review

9/10

  Since the first time I saw The Graduate I instantly loved it for the humour and performances, which includes Dustin Hoffman in his first major role, and possible his greatest. Along with the spot on acting and writing, is the great directoral performance by Mike Nichols, who takes you on a ride through changing of the times in the late 60's.

  The first thing the film truly throws at you is its score (composed by Simon & Garfunkel directly for this film), and I think it's safe to say that you will be remembering these songs long after the credits roll. Songs such as Sounds of Silence and Canticle (Scarborough Fair) are still American Folk-Rock classics today, and are as catchy as they are intimate. After the first the rendition of Sounds of Silence is heard, you are almost immediately having various symbols and metaphors shown to you in a very non-discreet fashion, making it easy for casual movie goers to fully understand what this film stands for and what Nichols was trying to say.

  A major part of the film, along with the score and the message, is the awkward humour that is present throughout the film. No jokes here, just humorous interactions between the characters, which are very entertaining to watch. If you completely missed the whole, "youth in revolt" thing, I think you would still immensley enjoy this movie. I don't think there are many that have watched this and not had a good laugh as a result.

  I give this film a nine out of ten, which is a score that I think many would agree is well deserved. This film is just one of those few entities that has something for everybody. If you're into music, this movie is the reason for two of Simon & Garfunkels biggest songs. If you like the idea of a generation breaking away from the ways of its predeccesor, that is, in many ways, the movie. Even if you don't care about any of that, there's still the wildly entertaining part of the film that is the humour, that you'd have to be immensely prude not to enjoy. In any case this movie is worth your time, and I think you'd have to be a fool to pass it by, if you enjoy film.