The Graduate was a compelling film that portrayed the cultural and social differences evident throughout the film, as can be seen through the generational, and how Dustin Hoffman’s character acts towards each. This movie came out towards the end of the 1960’s when the social/cultural structure was beginning to change. Children didn’t want to do what their parents told them just because the said so, they wanted to do something that they saw meaning in. This can be seen as Dustin Hoffman constantly tells all the adults that he’s not too sure what his plans are for his future. His willingness to relax and decipher what it is that he truly wants to do shows a subtle social/cultural shift, because when his parents were around his age they most
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Although Benjamin was an adult, it was evident thanks to Hoffman’s exceptional acting that Ben was still a child at heart, not ready to grow up. Dustin Hoffman was really able to show us an innocent character, who seemed to be a little afraid of the world, and his future. Hoffman allowed Benjamin’s character to have real depth, as we saw the constant struggle that he faced from not knowing what to with his future, to not knowing how to handle girls, and being uncertain if he should play into Mrs. Robinson’s tricks. Through Hoffman’s performance we can see the growth that Ben’s character achieves, even if it is subtle. While towards the end Ben is still uncertain how his life will pan out, he is certain that he wants to be with Elaine, and he takes the incentive to do so. All in all, I believe that Dustin Hoffman did Benjamin Braddock’s character justice, leaving us with a believable performance. In the movie The Graduate, Dustin Hoffman is able to create a social and cultural change, because this is one of the first times that the younger generation can be seen as standing up and taking action for what they want and what they want to do. This is also one of the first times that a much older woman character seduces a young male. Dustin Hoffman’s role as Benjamin Braddock seemed to be a match made in heaven since Hoffman so exquisitely was able to portray his character, leaving us with an authentic and believable view of the character of
Although Benjamin was an adult, it was evident thanks to Hoffman’s exceptional acting that Ben was still a child at heart, not ready to grow up. Dustin Hoffman was really able to show us an innocent character, who seemed to be a little afraid of the world, and his future. Hoffman allowed Benjamin’s character to have real depth, as we saw the constant struggle that he faced from not knowing what to with his future, to not knowing how to handle girls, and being uncertain if he should play into Mrs. Robinson’s tricks. Through Hoffman’s performance we can see the growth that Ben’s character achieves, even if it is subtle. While towards the end Ben is still uncertain how his life will pan out, he is certain that he wants to be with Elaine, and he takes the incentive to do so. All in all, I believe that Dustin Hoffman did Benjamin Braddock’s character justice, leaving us with a believable performance. In the movie The Graduate, Dustin Hoffman is able to create a social and cultural change, because this is one of the first times that the younger generation can be seen as standing up and taking action for what they want and what they want to do. This is also one of the first times that a much older woman character seduces a young male. Dustin Hoffman’s role as Benjamin Braddock seemed to be a match made in heaven since Hoffman so exquisitely was able to portray his character, leaving us with an authentic and believable view of the character of