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WCU - Western Carolina University Publications

Western Carolinian Volume 33 Number 34

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Item 1 - Western Carolinian Volume 33 Number 34
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Western Carolinian Volume 33 Number 34

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Item 2 - Western Carolinian Volume 33 Number 34
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Western Carolinian Volume 33 Number 34

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Western Carolinian Volume 33 Number 34

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Item 4 - Western Carolinian Volume 33 Number 34
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Western Carolinian Volume 33 Number 34

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Item 5 - Western Carolinian Volume 33 Number 34
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Western Carolinian Volume 33 Number 34

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Item 6 - Western Carolinian Volume 33 Number 34
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Western Carolinian Volume 33 Number 34

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Western Carolinian Volume 33 Number 34

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Western Carolinian Volume 33 Number 34

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  • Wednesday, March 13, 1968 CRTTICOSGOPE THE WESTERN CAROLINIAN Page 3 The Graduate Reprinted from The Old Gold and Blac^ Wake Forest University. By DOUG LEMZA "The Graduate" offers its audience so much to see. It is virtually flawless in technique, incomparable in the acting, and outstanding in Uie motive prescribed by director, Mike Nichols, and scriptwriters, Buck Henry and Calder Willingham. But within the story structure, "The Graduate" offers a unique comment on youUi today and living in general. It was produced for Embassy Pictures and Joseph E l.evinc by Lawrence Turman INTUiHH CTION lu LIFE set in California, die film invites Uie audience to follow young Benjamin Braddock through his post-graduate summer. It turns out u> be a chaotic introduction to life. Returning home after gradu ating with honors, Benjamin is subsequently put on display by his "proud" parents. From then on a rapid succession of events shatter his already de licate emotional stability. He is seduced by his lather's business partner's wife, then falls in love with her daughter, and so on to even more complicated entanglements. of Benjamin's motives by Benjamin himself. The collage of time and thought as Benjamin goes through each of his experiences, including instrusions by his parents, is a beautiful direction of Uie audience's train of thought on Benjamin's actual plight. So sharply are we aware of his experiences - which he refers to as "jx verse time" that when he is told he cannot see Elaine (the daughter), the audience feels as much discomfort as Benjamin himself. Cinematically, the movie passes its half-way point when Benjamin's interest is shifted to Elaine and the pace quickens to accomodate Uie new entanglement Mrs Robinson, on the other hand, becomes villainness instead of arch-se- dticti Shocked by the revelation of her mother's affair with Benjamin and denied contact with him. Elaine is driven from Benjamin. Crisis alter crisis are met in rapid succession as Benjamin fights for her love. The frantic pace culminates in tin- church in which Elaine is marrying a young med student forced on her b.\ her parents The film's climax is Cinema at its v\iUU-st ]\vi\ 1'enc.K of the assembled wedding guests, grabs Elaine, ami liars the church doors with the cross Besides flashy, but intriguing camerawork, Nichols has made the most of his Technicolor print. The various drives through the country mirror not only nature's beauty but Benjamin's thought*. The wild search, photographed in day and night, shows the desperation of mood and Uie consultation of a Uital effect. BLATANT BARB Henry and Willingham's script is not free from flaws, but it is Uie most blatant barb to perpetrate the screen in man) years. When Benjamin arrives at the Taft Hotel, he wanders aimlessh around the lobbj The desk clerk (played b) Henry) inquires, "Are you here for an affair, sir'."' Benjamin's reaction is stunning, file rest of the script acquits itself in fine style for the mood ol' the film. WOXDERFl I. Ill I Katherine Ross, a pretty newcomer, does well in pro jeeting the difficult role of Elaine Her effect is wonderful as she changes from prim and proper at home to wild and lombo.N ish at Berkley. I Justin Hoffman, as Benjamin. is uncautlous in achieving success in liis role, For us, the audience, as well for those goldbricking producers in ::'*^«-v. Through the eyes of Nichols, vast realms of untouched cinematic territory are unleashed for the first time in our generation. (The composite technique of over-lapping sound and close photography was last successful in Welle's "Citizen Kane.") COMMUNICATIONS BREAK The opening sequences point to a hazy communications breakdown theme. Benjamin desires to be alone, only to be pressed into meeting people. Spotting his weaknesses, Mrs. Robinson, the business partner's wife, loopholes the boy's pensive doubts, Nichols drenches these scenes with pure satiric comedy, and Uie dialogue and screen effects are matchless. Intimations at Benjamin's sexual experience are hinted by Mrs. Robinson in their first hotel rendezous and the events leading to Uie actual undressing are a hilarious circumvention As the congragation screams, the couple (unaware of Uie bride's new marital status, I'm convinced) runs across the lawn and jumps a city bus. BERSERK INTELLECTUAL Nichols' editing is like an intellectual gone berserk at a Stevenson rally. Every move- is calculated for effect. When Benjamin gets caught by Mrs, Robinson in Uie first fifteen minutes of the movie, flashes of her bare skin tantalize his eyes (and ours as well) into actions he wishes he hadn't taken later. These glances and composite shots merge into speciality numbers Uiat are brilliant. Nichols also uses the close- up to attract attention. The beginning party sequence is built around this technique. Benjamin descends the stairway; eyes wander; hands grab. The room is the scene of a party, but one would ra~ ther think it is a prison in the camera's eye. Hollywood, Hoffman spares no effort to bring Braddock to life. His glow as'Benjamin is utterly unusual for a film star. His acting from Uie stage is brilliant for cinema it is a surrender of most stereotypes not in existence - a landmark to be reckoned with. FILM IS LANDMARK And the film is a landmark, as well, of sheer coherence. The polished manner of Nich--■ ol's direction forms and shapes everything from the vantage point of young Braddock. For Nichols, and us, the film succeeds immediately and remains that way throughout. However, it is only in the minds of us, the college community, that "The Graduate" can be a total success. It isasuccess based on throwing away preconceived notions and letting our minds be momentarily disinterested in life. Do you have' Questions? Are you: Puzzled ? Confused? Worried? Troubled? Perplexed? Perturbed? Concerned? Afraid ? Feed-Up? Run-Down? Flunked-Out? ACTION ANSWER CAN HELP YOU! Write: Box 317 Cullowhee Coll: 293-7267 Mondays or Wednesdays
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Western Carolina University Publications

The Western Carolinian is Western Carolina University’s student-run newspaper. The paper was published as the Cullowhee Yodel from 1924 to 1931 before changing its name to The Western Carolin...

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