The Graduate Case

The Graduate

In the film, The Graduate Robert Surtees the cinematographer showed Ben Braddock's isolation through the camera angles and movements. Ben, in the beginning is unsure of his future and does not understand the adult lifestyle. He wants to move away from his parent's lifestyle, but does not know where to start. Throughout the film, he slowly parts away from his family's lifestyle and would do unspeakable things to figure out who he is. Ben slowly is losing sense of himself, and isolating himself from society.

In the opening scene, it shows Ben on an airplane coming home. The camera at first is focused on his emotionless face, and then zooms out to see him surrounded by a plane full of other people, of all ages. When he is home, his parents throw a party for him, his father is confused and wonder where he is, and finds him alone in his bedroom, head against the fish tank. The camera is at a close up of Ben's face, emotionless once again. At this point, you can tell Ben has no idea what he wants to do with his life, and would rather be alone in his room with his thoughts. Finally, Ben goes downstairs to have small talk with family members, when the camera pauses on a picture of an unhappy clown, which symbolizes his alienation.

Later in the film, Ben starts really talking to one of his father's business partner's wife, Mrs. Robinson. After sleeping with Mrs. Robinson for a while, he no longer wants to get right to the point; he wanted to start having a conversation with her. After Mrs. Robinson makes Ben promise he'll never speak to her daughter, Elaine. Ironically, Ben's parent's force him to go out on a date with Elaine. Ben is rude to Elaine the whole date and during the end of their date, makes her cry. At that point Ben realizes what he wants, Elaine.