The Graduate

The Graduate (1967)

Ending / spoiler

(4 votes)

In this spectacular, and almost comical ending, Benjamin Braddock "rescues" Elaine Robinson from the fate of a somewhat arranged marriage, by entering the church in which she is to be married and in on of the most classic scenes of all time banging on the glass of the balcony shouting "Elaine! Elaine!" he then proceeds to usher her out of the church amid angry parents and guests who literally try to strangle him. he fights them off with a symbolic cross he picks up, and then locks them inside the church by putting the cross through the handles of the doors. The ending scene is of Benjamin and Elaine "escaping" from their parents world on a bus. They are happy, not about being with one another, but about defying their parents, rebelling against what they have lived with for so long: upper middle class assholes. They are less happy, and more content, they smile occasionally in this one minute long closeup of their faces, the credits roll.

Lunchbox

Factual error: There is a scene with Benjamin Braddock going to Berkeley, but his car is driving on the upper deck of Bay Bridge which only goes in the direction of San Francisco.

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Buck Henry: Are you here for an affair, sir?

More quotes from The Graduate

Trivia: A change from the theatrical re-release for the 25th anniversary and the video release. In the first Taft Hotel bedroom scene, a nervous Ben asks Mrs. Robinson if she would like "Wood or Wire [hanger]?" In the theater, her response was, "wood." Which led to the wonderful pratfall of Ben trying to take the wood one, which wouldn't come off. But it was changed in the 25th anniversary video release and her response was, "Either one would be fine."

More trivia for The Graduate

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