The Graduate (1967): On Netflix, I noted in their Awards section that they were showing the classic 1960s movie with a young Dustin Hoffman and Anne Bancroft. It was nominated for seven Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Actress but only a win for Mike Nichols as Best Director. In the Heat of the Night won, with other nominees that included Bonnie & Clyde and Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner. A good year.

So why is it memorable? Why does it still remain relevant? Funnily enough I had seen bits and pieces of this over the years, including the wedding window scene with Hoffman yelling “ELAINE!!” but also the stocking clad leg of Bancroft with Hoffman in the background saying “you are trying to seduce me, Mrs Robinson”. Of course the other aspect of the film that is most memorable is the soundtrack by Simon and Garfunkel.

It’s memorable because this is an excellent acting performance for both young Hoffman, and also Bancroft. In reality, Hoffman was 30yo playing a young college graduate at age 20yo, named Benjamin and Bancroft was only 36yo, six years Hoffman’s senior. Bancroft is married to husband, with a daughter Elaine who is Benjamin’s age. Benjamin has returned to his parents home, and they are anxious to hear about what Benjamin’s plans are for next steps. They are expecting him to look towards post-graduate work or enter into his job. The men surrounding Benjamin want him to “sow his wild oats”. Through all this, Benjamin himself is confused. He doesn’t know what he wants to do. He has no plan. He is pressed by his parents, and everyone else. Then early on Mrs Robinson makes a sexual advance towards young Benjamin and gives him something to do and focus on. The relationship is purely sexual as Mrs Robinson shows no interest in talking about anything. When pressed she expresses out of the blue her determination that Benjamin stays away from her daughter Elaine. Things happen.

This was for the time the beginning of a rebellion of young people against their parents and a society that they questioned and didn’t agree with. Of course the sixties already had its fair share of challenges with the civil rights movement, the assassination of JFK, and Viet Nam war. It also had birth control and the sexual revolution. This movie became a reflection of the times, but was bold enough to put a mirror against the backdrop. Audiences cheered for the young Benjamin and his struggle to find love and purpose in his life. Watching this movie with a 2020s state of mind, raises some questions about how Benjamin acts during a trip to Berkeley, among other things. There is much drinking and smoking. The parental assistance for the young graduate is not unusual for the place with a new car. But it is unfair to judge in my view with a more modern lens. On its face, I think that Bancroft is excellent. She remains strong, in control, unflinching in her desire to please herself. We don’t know much about her marital relationship but for her it doesn’t matter. She never shows any guilt or feelings of any kind. Benjamin is the well brought up young man, who is a deer in the headlights without the life experience to handle this delicate situation. This is definitely worth a watch. It is tame by today’s standards in terms of being sexual and showing nudity. But that isn’t necessary to make the point. The key is how the players interact amongst each other as things unfold.

A Man Called Otto: This has been recently released on Crave. It is an easy vehicle for the aging but likeable Tom Hanks. A vehicle because he gets to have his one son, Truman Hanks, play a role of his Dad as a younger self. I would describe this movie as a compilation of a number of simialr movies. I see elements of Grumpy Old Men, Gran Torino and the animated Pixar movie UP. The movie certainly knows how to try and pull the heart strings and it plays them on a number of fronts. For those who get engaged you may want to have a Kleenex nearby since it can be effective. The movie opens with Otto as a man in the local hardware store and he argues with the young cashier about the cost for a length of rope. It is pennies that he squabbles over. He is protective of his gated street, and is vigilant about parking and keeping the street NOT a through street. He lives alone in the same semi house that he and his wife shared. The movie looks back into the relationship with his future wife. Of course they are delightful. Of course you want them to succeed. Life happens to them in much the same way as the old man in UP.

We learn Otto’s story over time. New neighbours move in. A young family with two young girls, a husband and a pregnant Mexican wife. Otto reluctantly assists them on occasion while the wife tries very hard to be generous, friendly and welcoming. We are introduced to other neighbours in and out of the neighborhood. As I mentioned, this movie tries very hard to bring in the emotional side. It helps with Hanks in the role as opposed to Clint Eastwood who also could play the grumpy neighbour. But Clint acts differently and provides different lessons.

Did I like this? Meh, it was okay. It wasn’t overly memorable. The performances are decent but nothing stands out. I think the young wife was the best of them. Certainly the other neighbours and their stories are not as fully told. It becomes readily apparent why some characters are brought into the equation, like the spectators at the train station (you’ll know what I am talking about when you see it). If there was a second viewing, you would note immediately why this occurred, and it would feel a little contrived. A little too cute to close out the story on other fronts. But, be that as it may, it didn’t suck. I don’t feel that I wasted my time, but I won’t rush out and recommend it with any enthusiasm. Sorry Tom, but you have done other roles better. Perhaps your son, like you did, should look to get roles on his own merit.