Review of The Graduate (HD DVD)

Introduction

An Oscar winning film (for Director Mike Nichols), The Graduate is regarded by many as a classic of cinema. It launched Hoffman on the world, won an Oscar for Mike Nichols and made Alfa Romeo a lot of money. The film follows Benjamin Braddock (Hoffman) a recent graduate (natch) who is famously seduced by Mrs. Robinson (the late Anne Bancroft). What follows is a harsh break-up, and the eventual romance of Mrs. Robinson`s daughter, Elaine.

The film begins at a party celebrating Benjamin`s graduation, where he is reluctantly and uncomfortably accosted by Mrs. Robinson (the wife of his father`s business partner) into driving her home. Before long, Mrs. Robinson`s seduction begins, and after a few embarrassing scenes Benjamin eventually gives in. As the summer progress, the aimless Benjamin becomes more confident, assured of his sexuality. It`s not until he is forced into a date with the Robinson`s daughter Elaine that everything starts to go awry.

To tell anymore would spoil the story and ruin the great climax, for a film that is much loved, and for which is now making its debut in high definition.

Video

In the opening shot (eerily similar to Tarantino`s Jackie Brown), there is a bit of onscreen noise, particularly on the whites. It improves massively though, in a short amount of time, and as soon as we hit the well-lit interior shots for the opening scenes, the image is so good that even the detail in skin is apparent (including Hoffman`s well made-up acne).

Darker scenes could have done with a little bit of NR, but those were mostly the exterior, naturally lit scenes (for example, the street-side scene after the strip club). Also, I noticed an on-screen flash on the second chapter, at around 1 minute 30 seconds. Whether this exists on the original print is unknown, but it was a strange occurrence.

In truth, the only thing that really stops it from looking as good as more recent films is the original print itself, but then that`s perfectly acceptable.

Audio

The Simon and Garfunkel soundtrack compliments a crystal clear mix. A recent experience with Don`t Look Now (a film released 6 years after), where the dialogue was barely audible, left me a little bit cautious. But much like the picture, I was pleasantly surprised.

The tracks are supplied as lossless DTS HD 2.0 and Dolby Digital 2.0.

Features

Borderline pointless Trailer montage of other released and forthcoming HD titles. Video and Audio configurator. English, French and German subs. That is all, extras fans. The HD DVD case itself is presented in the thinner (and preffered) case.

Conclusion

Frankly, I`d not expected a film shot in the 1960`s to look so good. Early indications were not great, but I was soon bowled over, with the film possibly never looking as spectacular as it does now. The print is very clean, and the sets sparkle, but what good would that be if the film itself wasn`t up to scratch?

This was the first time I`d seen The Graduate, with my prior knowledge limited mostly to THAT classic line (and scene), and a vague idea that the soundtrack was mostly from Simon and Garfunkel. I approached the film as one of those well regarded classics that I`d always wanted to see, but had never found the time to. I have to say, that it was a pleasure to review, and left me grinning ear to ear.

Okay, so the second half drags more than the first, as we move more away from the Mrs. Robinson character, and as Benjamin `comes of age`. But the story itself always stays on track, and it trulyy is excellently written by by Calder Willingham and Buck Henry (who makes a fab cameo in Altman`s The Player). Bancroft is sexy and provocative, but Dustin Hoffman (who was only 6 years younger than Bancroft, fact fans) is bumbling, nervous and humiliated in the most marvellous way. He completely steals the film, and is one of the most significant reasons that the film not only did so well, but still manages to hold up as well as it does.

The Graduate perhaps hasn`t dated as much as you might think - I`m shocked to think that it`s 40 years old. Some of the conventions in cinematography might have since changed (check out cameraman having a great time with the zoom), but equally the film has a fantastic glossy look that a classic should have. The comedy isn`t often laugh out loud, tending to go along the more satirical (and even farcical) route at times. In terms of what a teen comedy might be now, The Graduate could almost be a straight drama. Scenes are often long, almost stage-play like and there are a number of sequences that play out entirely without dialogue. It`s a testament to the performances and the writing that the quite simple story is just so good.

I approach the `classics` I haven`t seen with the slightest of caution, bearing in mind that audience tastes and expectations have changed. The biggest praise I can give The Graduate then, is that as a first time viewer, it comes highly recommended.