The Graduate
...film The Graduate is an epic piece that captures the spirit of the times, and allows America's youth to perceive onscreen an image of themselves which they can both identify with and emulate. The graduate is a timeless romantic comedy with an aspect ratio of 2.35:1. The aspect ratio is significant due to its broad range of visibility. The graduate is a significant film even today due to its use of abstract camera angles, telephoto lenses, excellent cinematography, and great acting. Few visual effects were used, however, matting and numerous point of view shots were used. These characteristics and the fabulous use of mis-en-scene, great writing and the era of the film all made the graduate what it is today, magnificent.
Benjamin Braddock is at a crossroads in his life. He has just graduated college which means he has reached adulthood and must decide what to do with his life. The problem is Benjamin is too immature to handle it. He is passive and watches the world around him move on. Ben prefers to laze around in his parent's pool rather than consider graduate school or finding good quality job. He is beginning to realize that the path his parents have chosen for him isn't the one he wishes to follow. He is lost young man in search of high dreams, self discovery, and is frightened by the thought of becoming a man.
The film's opening sequence, as the credits are being shown; establish one of the central theme's that is found throughout the shots, and the rest of the film. The introduction of the film introduces the theme of self discovery. As the credits are being shown Dustin Hoffman is standing on an escalator being carried along as he collects his thoughts. The camera is positioned to reveal Ben's left profile while the frame height is a medium close shot allowing Ben's image to dilute in the viewers mind. In this profile shot, the character is positioned...
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