Screening #3: The Graduate

At last I have seen this classic, coming-of-age comedy. And I absolutely loved it. Savored every minute of it.

Like everyone else on the planet, I was familiar with the “plastics” gem and general storyline. Yet in so many ways, I didn’t know what to expect from “The Graduate”. Before I go any further I’ll just admit that I certainly don’t need to review this film as I couldn’t possibly add anything to the 40-year conversation. So I’ll just share a bit about what I learned and can apply to my own screenplay.

The life situation and neuroticism of Benjamin Braddock (Dustin Hoffman) resonated with me and synced up with the issues faced by the central character in my film. I loved how Benjamin’s angst, confusion and isolation–and that of 1960’s upper crust culture–was conveyed through dialogue, photography, satire and music. It was artistic and moody, hilarious and haunting.

Of course, this story centers around a recent graduate–a person who personifies “inbetween-ness” in life–and it took place in the 60’s–an “in-between” time when social and sexual mores were in the midst of upheaval. However, just about everyone, regardless of education, upbringing, when they were born, etc. experiences feelings of uncertainty about the future, aloneness due to the fact that they don’t always fit in, and the sense that the right path seems hidden from view. We all come to crossroads at various times in our lives. We all face tough decisions about which way to go–and often the way that feels right is the very one that leads us in a completely different direction from those around us. Hopelessness and listlessness (and perhaps some other nefarious nesses) may grab hold until something, good or bad, snaps us out of it and propels us forward. Or we give up, and develop into bitter and empty souls, like the predatory but ultimately passion-less Mrs. Robinson.

Benjamin Braddock was “a little nervous about his future.” He said he didn’t know what to do with his life. But it seems more likely to me that he knew what he wanted to do, or at least had ideas, but that his desired direction was so outside the bounds of acceptibility that he didn’t allow himself to entertain such ideas. For a while, it was that way for me–though I was kind enough to save most of my whining for my blog. And come to think of it, Benjamin probably would’ve been blogging poolside if it were possible. The same tension and inner turmoil exists for my main character, who is slowly coming to life on my laptop.

“The Graduate” instilled me with a burning desire to not only capture my character’s internal struggle to find direction and meaning, but also to convey in innovative, surprising ways how it fits into the bigger social, economic and cultural picture that is her era and representative circumstance. I hope that made at least some sense.

I was also inspired by the fact that this movie represents Dustin Hoffman’s first role in a Hollywood film. He was 29 during filming, 30 by the time it was released.