"The Graduate"

This one was on TV last night and it never ceases to amaze me.

Last night, I watched it with a more critical eye than usual, e. g. why did the director choose this cut? What's the significance of this song? Why do the people behave the way they do? Etc.

I came up with a few ideas - feel free to pick them apart, of course.

* "The Graduate" is very much a product of its time (1968 if I recall correctly). It's hard to think of it as being possible at a time other than, perhaps, the period of 1966 - 1970. Not only is it because of the quick throwaway line from Norman Fell ("You're not one of those outside agitators, are you?") but also because of the context of the generation gap. It seems to be the best treatment of the generation gap on film.
* But the generations aren't that far apart, really. While Elaine and Ben are so disaffected and directionless that nearly every conversation goes around in circles ("Will you marry me?" "Maybe." etc.), the same can be said of their parents. Mrs. Robinson mainly seduces Ben because she's bored. There's no affection in it. Even Ben admits it was more like shaking hands than anything else.
* Very few people express real emotions in the film. One is shock and anger, such as when Elaine figures out that Ben's older woman is Elaine's own mother, and then later when Elaine realizes her mother has lied to her about Ben. Another, certainly, is love, but Elaine and Ben, except for the penultimate scene in the church, don't seem to be involved in any great passion. As they scream one another's names, it becomes obvious that they do care, and they are important to one another, but on the bus immediately afterwards, they mainly don't even look at each other.
* The only member of the older generation who seems to express any emotions at all is Elaine's father, when he confronts Ben in the rooming house, and tells him that he and Mrs. Robinson will be divorcing. It's hard to say what Mr. Robinson feels, other than maybe indignity at a lack of respect on Ben's part. But at least Mr. Robinson feels affected. Mrs. Robinson is completely hollow inside, and nothing seems to affect her. Even her 'protection' of Elaine from Ben seems to be more of a thing to do than something motivated by love for her daughter or even contempt for her former lover.
* The music is somewhat significant. Mrs. Robinson's theme, of course is "Mrs. Robinson". Elaine's is "Scarborough Fair/Canticle". "Mrs. Robinson" is upbeat and bouncy but with caustic lyrics (you hear the lyrics loud and clear at the end of the film, as Ben has realized he'll do anything to get back with Elaine. The start of the "Mrs. Robinson" lyrics just as Ben is driving out of a tunnel is, I'm sure, no mere coincidence). "Scarborough Fair/Canticle" is a medieval-type fantasy and lovely. The two voices of Simon and Garfunkle entwine beautifully - much like two people's lives entwine when they fall in love. "Scarborough Fair/Canticle" is played whenever Ben observes Elaine from afar, and the lyric "She once was a true love of mine." rings particularly truly.
* I sometimes wonder what happens after the cameras stop rolling, e. g. what's the future of characters in a film after "The End" and the rolling of the credits. It's hard to imagine anyone with a really happy life after the ending of the "The Graduate". The Robinsons divorce, the Braddocks are angry with Ben and on bad terms with their neighbors, and Elaine and Ben may or may not get along in the world but they will either be hopelessly poor or dependent upon the Braddocks. Or maybe Ben just goes into plastics after all.

What do you think of this film?