A glimpse of Mike Nichols' directing techniques in American New Cinema ``The Graduate''

Technical direction that expresses the main character's feelings

At the same time, Nichols' visual direction is also noteworthy. After The Graduate with honors from a university in the east, Ben returns to his family home on the west coast, but at the lively The Graduate party set up by his parents, he somehow feels like an outsider, even though he is the main character. He has no interest in the bright future that promises a fast career. The pool scene vividly expresses Ben's sense of stagnation and alienation. Examples of this include the scene where Ben lies on a buoy in the pool, looking up at the people by the pool through his sunglasses, and the scene where Ben, having escaped the hustle and bustle of the water (reality), dons a diving suit and stands at the bottom of the pool for a while.

Also, by capturing Ben running towards the camera with a telephoto lens, the fact that his movements appear to have stopped shows his feelings of having nowhere to go. Cinematographer Robert Surtees shows off his well-honed techniques here.

“The Graduate” (c) Getty Images

It is also said that the director's intention is behind the title credits at the beginning and the occasional movement of Ben from right to left throughout the film. In American common sense, people normally move from left to right, and Ben's actions, which go against that, are sinister and antisocial. Although this is a rather cynical view, it is true that Ben goes against common sense, has secret meetings with his parents' dear friend Mrs. Robinson, falls in love with her daughter Elaine, and tries to destroy everything and assert his own ego.

Will Ben be able to grasp his uncertain future in his hands? The answer is hinted at in the last shot. The expressions he managed to draw out from Hoffman and Ross, who were still new actors at the time, are the result of Nichols's superb technique (hard to believe he was a new director making just his second film). And be sure to check out the final Arrival that is entrusted to him there.

This is literally "American New Cinema"