It could be called a comedy, a drama, or a romance. But truth be told, “The Graduate” is a little of all those things. More importantly, it’s a sharply conceived and slickly crafted film that in several ways ushered in a new approach to filmmaking. It’s been touted as a highly influential feature and has held high spots on some pretty prestigious movie lists. While I’ve never been as enamored with it as many have, it’s still a good film with its share of memorable moments.

“The Graduate” would go on to receive seven Oscar nominations, winning one for Mike Nichols’ direction. Screenwriters Buck Henry and Calder Willingham penned the script which was an adaptation of Charles Webb’s 1963 novella of the same name. The film was also a massive commercial success, becoming the highest grossing movie in 1967 by a pretty large margin. But what’s more interesting is hearing how it has aged in the minds of fellow critics.

This wasn’t Dustin Hoffman’s first official acting credit. That honor goes to the few seconds he appeared in “The Tiger Makes Out”. But it was “The Graduate” that gave him his breakthrough role. Hoffman plays Benjamin Braddock, a disconnected and isolated recent graduate from an east coast college. His parents throw him a graduation party to celebrate his accomplishments, but it does nothing to dent his general apathy towards grad school and his uncertainty for the future.

Benjamin is a fascinating character whose complexities show themselves in a variety of ways. He’s a bit of a social pariah who can sometimes come across as an irreverent jerk. He can be flippant and impudent, but he’s also a sad and melancholy soul. And we find out early on that Benjamin has a hard time discerning how to approach this new stage of his life. That internal struggle, though muted at times, lies at the core of the story.

Perhaps all of this is why Benjamin is such easy prey for Mrs. Robinson (Anne Bancroft). She’s a much older friend of the family who is married for the wrong reasons and is clearly unhappy with her circumstances. She baits Benjamin into an illicit affair which over time adds even more complications to his already muddled life. Much like the movie itself, opinions of Mrs. Robinson have also changed over the years.

Some have argued that Mrs. Robinson is the most appealing and alive character in the film. They praise her for seeing things as they are and pursuing her own happiness. I still see her a little differently. She can just as easily be viewed as shameless, dishonest, and self-absorbed. She too is in a difficult situation. But she goes the route of disgraceful self-indulgence with little to no moral conviction. And her maliciousness shows itself even more when Benjamin unexpectedly falls in love with her daughter Elaine (played by Katharine Ross).

My biggest issue still centers around Elaine. Ross gives a solid performance but her character could really use more depth. At times it’s impossible to understand Elaine’s thinking, and her decision making can be rash and out of the blue. A tighter script might have sold the romance better in the second half by opening up her relationship with Benjamin and upping the stakes. I still love the ending. But things get a little clunky before we get to that unforgettable final scene.

While some views of the “The Graduate” have changed, for me it has maintained its resonance and insight, neither of which has been hurt by the passing of time. The film’s moments of humor are still funny, Benjamin is still a compelling character, and the iconic ending shot is still as potent as ever. Simon and Garfunkel’s perfectly placed songs still give several scenes an extra punch, and the direction from Mike Nichols is still satisfying.

After nearly 60 years, “The Graduate” has proven to deserve the near universal respect it has been given. It may not have the most tight-knit script and some key character relationships may be slightly underwritten. But it’s anchored by some rich themes, terrific performances, and a great soundtrack. It’s also a movie with a significant cultural legacy that still speaks to its many fans both old and new.

VERDICT – 4 STARS