The Graduate (1967)

It was the late 60s and conformity was on the way out. Raging against 'the machine' was becoming very popular. Rebelling against parental expectations was at an all-time high. This movie is about all those things. Forget teen-angst, this movie is about 20-something angst.

Normally a movie where all the early main characters are totally self-absorbed and without redeeming values, is not a good movie. But Director Mike Nichols is a genius. he does not bring in the story's redeeming value character until late in the story. By then the fear and loathing are complete. The delightful doe-eyed character played by Katherine Ross is SO welcome by the time she is introduced, the movie is then worth finishing, and not a moment too soon.

This is an old movie and much has been said about it. All I want to add is that as hard as the first half of this movie is to watch, the payoff in the last few moments is worth it. Believe it or not, this a romance story. Boy get's girl, then boy gets girl's daughter. OH!

Dustin Hoffman appears in his first starring role here. Has he changed much? And who knew he was 14 years younger than Ross. Does not show up here on camera.

Watch this movie with someone very patient who also has a love for good movie making.