459. The Graduate

The Graduate
1967
Directed by Mike Nichols

This is one of the most iconic movies in existence, and if you have never seen it you can at the very least misquote it as well as anybody.

Benjamin Braddock is a recent graduate who has no idea what to do with his life.  He is seduced by his much older neighbor, Mrs. Robinson, but eventually begins to fall for her daughter.  This reasoning is never really explained, since their chemistry nor their intellectual connection is not very great.

I don't want to spoil the ending for anyone, but aren't the last shots of this movie completely heartbreaking?  I think the last scene does more for the entire message of emptiness than any of the conversations shown in the movie.

My biggest complaint with this film is that it was not entirely sure what it wanted to be.  There were scenes that were downright goofy and then a man was accused of raping the mother of the woman he loves.  While I am all for a mix of genres, some of the scenes just did not seem to blend.

Overall, a great movie with an exceptional soundtrack (my sister and I used to listen to Mrs. Robinson everyday on our way to high school).

RATING: ****-

Interesting Facts:

Dustin Hoffman was extremely awkward during his auditions, which was exactly what Nichols was looking for.

Linda Gray played the leg in the promotional poster.  That was my favorite character.

#17 of AFI's top 100.

Trailer:

454. Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
1966
Directed by Mike Nichols

Even though In the Heat of the Night is listed in the Book as a 1967 film, it comes before Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf, which is listed as a 1966 movie.  What?  Oh well, we will follow the Book, even though we know it is wrong.  It is the American way.

I have witnessed my fair share of couple fights, which are always horribly awkward and uncomfortable. Usually, I make a run for the bathroom or become very interested in the ceiling design.  Occasionally, I will make the situation a lot worse but interjecting and saying something stupid.  Anyway, watching this film was just as bad as being a third wheel to a feuding couple.

Martha invites a young couple to her house for drinks, unbeknownst to her husband.  They pretty much scream at each other throughout the entire movie, which succeeds in giving me a headache and impressing film buffs.

I tend to not like films that are so obviously meant to be plays.  If you are going to change mediums, at least make the experience seem cinematic.  I felt incredibly trapped in that house, which I guess is how the director wants you to feel throughout the film.  Still, it was not an enjoyable experience and while I understand why some people would like this, I just wanted it to end.

Although I do have to say there is a pretty cool twist at the end.

RATING: **---

Interesting Facts:

Taylor gained 30 pounds for her role in this film.

#67 in AFI's top 100.

All credited actors received Oscar nominations for this film.

Trailer: