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The Graduate

1967 film by Mike Nichols

The Graduate is a 1967 film about Ben, a recent college graduate who is talented but aimless, who is seduced by Mrs. Robinson, the wife of his father's business partner. As he embarks on a tawdry affair with her, he becomes increasingly disillusioned with his parents world and their expectations for him, and he finds himself falling for Mrs. Robinson's daughter Elaine.

I want to say one word to you. Just one word. […] Plastics.
Mrs. Robinson, you're trying to seduce me… aren't you?
Directed by Mike Nichols. Written by Charles Webb, Calder Willingham and Buck Henry.
This is Benjamin. He's a little worried about his future.

Benjamin Braddock

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  • I've had this feeling ever since I graduated. This kind of compulsion that I have to be rude all the time...It's like I was playing some kind of game, but the rules don't make any sense to me. They're being made up by all the wrong people. I mean no one makes them up. They seem to make themselves up.

Mr. Robinson

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  • I wish I was that age again because Ben...you'll never be young again...Ben, can I say something to you?...uh, how long have we known each other now? How long have you and I known each other? How long have your dad and I been partners?...I watched you grow up, Ben...In many ways, I feel as though you were my own son...So I hope you won't mind my giving you a friendly piece of advice...I think you ought to be taking it a little easier right now than you seem to be...Sow a few wild oats, take things as they come, have a good time with the girls and so forth...You have yourself a few flings this summer. I'll bet you're, you're quite a ladies man...You look to me like the kind of guy who has to fight 'em off. [To Mrs. Robinson, who enters] Now doesn't he look to you like the kind of guy who has to fight 'em off?

Dialogue

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Benjamin: I'm just...
Mr. Braddock: ...worried?
Benjamin: Well...
Mr. Braddock: About what?
Benjamin: I guess about my future.
Mr. Braddock: What about it?
Benjamin: I don't know. I want it to be...
Mr. Braddock: ...to be what?
Benjamin: ...Different.
Mr. McGuire: I want to say one word to you. Just one word.
Benjamin: Yes, sir.
Mr. McGuire: Are you listening?
Benjamin: Yes, I am.
Mr. McGuire: Plastics.
Benjamin: Exactly how do you mean?
Mr. McGuire: There's a great future in plastics. Think about it. Will you think about it?
Benjamin: Mrs. Robinson, if you don't mind my saying so, this conversation is getting a little strange. Now, I'm sure that Mr. Robinson will be here any minute now and -
Mrs. Robinson: No.
Benjamin: What?
Mrs. Robinson: My husband will be back quite late. He should be gone for several hours.
Benjamin: Oh my God.
Benjamin: For God's sake, Mrs. Robinson, here we are, you've got me into your house. You give me a drink. You put on music, now you start opening up your personal life to me and tell me your husband won't be home for hours.
Mrs. Robinson: So?
Benjamin: Mrs. Robinson, you're trying to seduce me...
[Mrs. Robinson laughs seductively]
Benjamin: ...aren't you?
Mrs. Robinson: Well, no. I hadn't thought of it. I feel very flattered.
Benjamin: Mrs. Robinson. Will you forgive me for what I just said?
Mrs. Robinson: What are you so scared of?
Benjamin: I'm not scared, Mrs. Robinson.
Mrs. Robinson: Then why do you keep running away?
Benjamin: Because you're going to bed. I don't think I should be up here.
Mrs. Robinson: Haven't you ever seen anybody in a slip before?
Benjamin: Yes, I have, but I just...Look, what if Mr. Robinson walked in right now?
Mrs. Robinson: What if he did?
Benjamin: Well, it would look pretty funny, wouldn't it?
Mrs. Robinson: Don't you think he trusts us together?
Benjamin: Of course he does, but he might get the wrong idea. Anyone might.
Mrs. Robinson: I don't see why? I'm twice as old as you are. How could anyone think that...
Benjamin: But they would! Don't you see?
Mrs. Robinson: Benjamin. I am not trying to seduce you!
Benjamin: I know that, but please, Mrs. Robinson. This is difficult..
Mrs. Robinson: Would you like me to seduce you?
Benjamin: What?
Mrs. Robinson: Is that what you're trying to tell me?
Benjamin: [A long pause] I'm going home now. I apologize for what I said. I hope you can forget it. But I'm going home right now.
Mrs. Robinson: [now naked] Don't be nervous.
Benjamin: Get away from that door.
Mrs. Robinson: I want to say something first.
Benjamin: Dear God.
Mrs. Robinson: Benjamin. I want you to know that I'm available to you, and if you won't sleep with me this time...
Benjamin: Oh, my God.
Mrs. Robinson: ...if you won't sleep with me this time I want you to know that you can call me up anytime you want and we'll make some kind of an arrangement. Do you understand what I...?
Benjamin: Let me out.
Mrs. Robinson: Benjamin. Did you understand what I said? [Screeching car tires are heard outside in the driveway]
Benjamin: Yes, yes, let me out.
Mrs. Robinson: Because I find you very attractive. Now, anytime you want, you just...
Benjamin: Oh Jesus, that's him.
Mrs. Robinson: Benjamin, would this be easier for you in the dark?
Benjamin: Mrs. Robinson. I can't do this.
Mrs. Robinson: You what?
Benjamin: This is all terribly wrong.
Mrs. Robinson: Do you find me undesirable?
Benjamin: Oh, no, Mrs. Robinson. I think, I think you're the most attractive of all my parents' friends. I mean that. I find you desirable, but I, for God's sake, can you imagine my parents? Can you imagine what they would say if they just saw us in this room here right now?
Mrs. Robinson: What would they say?
Benjamin: I have no idea Mrs. Robinson, but for god's sake, they brought me up, they made a good life for me and I think they deserve better than this. I think they deserve a little better than jumping into bed with the partner's wife.
Mrs. Robinson: Are you afraid of me?
Benjamin: Oh, no. You're missing the point. Look. Maybe we could do something else together. Mrs. Robinson, would you like to go to a movie?
Mrs. Robinson: Can I ask you a personal question?
Benjamin: Ask me anything you want.
Mrs. Robinson: Is this your first time?
Benjamin: Is this what?
Mrs. Robinson: It is, isn't it? It is your first time.
Benjamin: That's a laugh Mrs. Robinson. That's really a laugh. Ha, ha.
Mrs. Robinson: Well, you can admit that, can't you?
Benjamin: Are you kidding?
Mrs. Robinson: It's nothing to be ashamed of.
Benjamin: Wait a minute.
Mrs. Robinson: On your first time if you're afraid of being inadequate.
Benjamin: Who said it was my first time? Wait a minute.
Mrs. Robinson: Just because you happen to be inadequate in one way.
Benjamin: INADEQUATE?! [Mrs. Robinson starts to dress] Don't move!
Mr. Braddock: Ben, what are you doing?
Benjamin: Well, I would say that I'm just drifting. Here in the pool.
Mr. Braddock: Why?
Benjamin: Well, it's very comfortable just to drift here.
Mr. Braddock: Have you thought about graduate school?
Benjamin: No.
Mr. Braddock: Would you mind telling me then what those four years of college were for? What was the point of all that hard work?
Benjamin: You got me.
Benjamin: [about Elaine] Well, I guess I'll have to ask her out on a date and find out what the big deal is.
Mrs. Robinson: Benjamin. [Pulling his hair] Don't you ever take that girl out. Do you understand that?
Benjamin: Well, why shouldn't I?
Mrs. Robinson: I have my reasons.
Benjamin: Well let's hear 'em.
Mrs. Robinson: No.
Benjamin: Let's hear them Mrs. Robinson, because I think I know what they are. I'm not good enough for her to associate with, am I? I'm not good enough to even talk about her, am I?
Mrs. Robinson: Let's drop it.
Benjamin: We're not dropping it. I'm good enough for you, but I'm not good enough to associate with your daughter. That's it, isn't it?
Mrs. Robinson: Benjamin.
Benjamin: [Ripping the sheet off her] Isn't it?
Mrs. Robinson: [Covering up] Yes.
Benjamin: You go to hell. You go straight to hell, Mrs. Robinson.
Mr. Braddock: Wait a minute, you talked to Elaine this morning?
Benjamin: No, she doesn't know about it.
Mr. Braddock: Uh, you mean she doesn't know you are coming up to Berkeley?
Benjamin: No, actually she doesn't know about us getting married yet.
Mrs. Braddock: Well when did you two talk this over?
Benjamin: We haven't.
Mrs. Braddock: You haven't?
Mr. Braddock: Ben, this whole idea sounds pretty half baked.
Benjamin: No, it's not. It's completely baked.
Benjamin: Elaine, I like you. I like you so much. Do you believe that? [She nods silently] Do you?
Elaine: Yes.
Benjamin: [He sighs deeply] You're the first thing for so long that I like, the first person I could stand to be with. My whole life is such a waste. There's just nothing. I'm sorry. I'll take you home now.
Elaine: Benjamin...Will you kiss me? [He rises from bed]
Benjamin: [After a sleepy kiss] Will you marry me? [She shakes her head no] You won't?
Elaine: I don't know.
Benjamin: But you might?
Elaine: I might.
Benjamin: Is that so? You might marry me?
Elaine: Yes.
Elaine: Why don't you drag me off if you want to marry me so much?
Benjamin: Why don't I just drag you off? All right, I will. Right after we get the blood tests...
Benjamin: Listen to me. What happened between Mrs. Robinson and me was nothing. It didn't mean anything. We might just as well have been shaking hands.
Mr. Robinson: Shaking hands? Well, that's not saying much for my wife, is it?
Benjamin: The point is I don't love your wife, I love your daughter, sir.
Mr. Robinson: I don't know if I can prosecute you but I think maybe I can. In light of what's happened I think maybe I can get you behind bars if you ever look at my daughter again.

Cast

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