1. The Graduate was one of the first movies to break down the barrier of sexual exploitation in the film industry. By using the first amendment, which is freedom of speech, film directors and scriptwriters were able to use their artistic expressions to measure the unthinkable. Made in 1967 The Graduate was one of the first real youth rebellion movies because it related to many social problems that teens were facing during that time, like how to fit into society without being rejected. The country was in an uproar when the film was shown and protested against it, but in the era in the era of 1967 change was being made all over and teens were voicing their opinions more and more. Another was the anti Hollywood ending of how the bad guy turned out ok with his wishes coming true. After Benjamin was having a relation with Mrs. Robinson nobody would have thought that he would also get a chance at being with Elaine (Mrs. Robinsons daughter). It posed a good question of what should one really do after graduation? The Graduate grossed $40 million at the box office, which in 1967 was pretty dam good. The film was meant for an upcoming young America to enjoy, and that they did.
3. The artistic content in the film was shown in many different ways from gender struggle, to individuality, and suburban values. Throughout the movie the viewer was able to follow Benjamin around as he went on a journey to find out who he really was as an individual. After coming home from college Benjamin is trapped in the state of mind where he doesn’t know the difference between adulthood and adolescence. In the beginning the viewer watches a very quite, polite, and guarded Youngman. Towards the end he becomes outspoken, open, and very opinionated towards Mrs. Robinson. He was in a constant struggle to find his place in the world; he went from being a non-smoking track star with a bright future to a pack a day couch potato home wrecker. The old suburban values of the 60s were being not only questioned but also challenged by the film. It was appalling in those times to sleep with someone’s wife let alone to turn around and try to date the daughter. The 60’s had a timeline of things that the youth were suppose to do, such as go to high school, go to college, and to get out to make something of yourself. The Graduate was to paint this seemingly perfect picture of this kid, in this perfect neighborhood, with perfect parents, and twist it up making him do the unthinkable things he did. On his 21st birthday he was given scuba gear and was expected to play with it in front of all the adults showing the push and pull conflict between boy/man.
4. The Graduate was not only a movie that gave the audience a laugh but it bought about change in the world. The 60’s were a time of war, violence, protest, and peace. To have a film come out and break the values that America held at the time was phenomenal. It challenged the problem that most college students held at the time like gender struggle, and individuality. Teaching youth to make good choices and not just ones as a quick escape from the harsh realities of life. In my opinion I liked the movie as well as the messages it delivered
