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In an article published in 1968, which is an excerpt from the book Movies into Film, John Simon outlines the seven major flaws of The Graduate. According to Simon, Mike Nichols’ The Graduate is overrated. He asserts that the undeserved acclaim that the film garnered was simply given because the film refused to conform to a few certain accepted conventions. Simon states that the film has seven chief weaknesses including oversimplification, overelaboration, inconsistency, eclecticism, obviousness, pretentiousness, and sketchiness. Simon then goes on to address each of these weaknesses individually citing specific examples from the film. Simon spends the most time examining inconsistency, which he feels is “at the very core of the film.”
The first major inconsistency deals with the overall nature of the movie. Simon argues that the film starts out as an “outrageous comedy” and then in the middle suddenly changes gears and becomes a “sentimental near-drama.” Simon considers this abrupt change of tone and genre to be a major flaw. Simon presents the counterargument for this assertion, in which many argue that the two tones—the comedic and the dramatic—are intertwined in varying amounts throughout the entire film. Furthermore, this counterargument contends that Benjamin’s true love for Elaine changes him and justifies the shift to a more romantic, serious tone. Simon responds to that counter by arguing that it is not so much the change in tone that mandates the inconsistency, but the change in the overall nature of a character. Benjamin’s apparent transformation from a “nonstop fumbler” to a “master sleuth” is unwarranted and unrealistic. It is this inconsistency of character, along with the other six aforementioned weaknesses, by which Simon considers The Graduate an ultimate disappointment. In addition to these grand thematic inconsistencies, Simon finds multiple relatively trivial inconsistencies throughout the film. The most obvious of which is Benjamin’s tendency to continue using Mrs. when he speaks to Mrs. Robinson in spite of the fact that they have been engaging in a sexual relationship for a long period of time. While Simon regards this to be an inconsistency, many viewers would argue that Benjamin calling her Mrs. Robinson reveals the fundamental nature of their relationship.
The first major inconsistency deals with the overall nature of the movie. Simon argues that the film starts out as an “outrageous comedy” and then in the middle suddenly changes gears and becomes a “sentimental near-drama.” Simon considers this abrupt change of tone and genre to be a major flaw. Simon presents the counterargument for this assertion, in which many argue that the two tones—the comedic and the dramatic—are intertwined in varying amounts throughout the entire film. Furthermore, this counterargument contends that Benjamin’s true love for Elaine changes him and justifies the shift to a more romantic, serious tone. Simon responds to that counter by arguing that it is not so much the change in tone that mandates the inconsistency, but the change in the overall nature of a character. Benjamin’s apparent transformation from a “nonstop fumbler” to a “master sleuth” is unwarranted and unrealistic. It is this inconsistency of character, along with the other six aforementioned weaknesses, by which Simon considers The Graduate an ultimate disappointment. In addition to these grand thematic inconsistencies, Simon finds multiple relatively trivial inconsistencies throughout the film. The most obvious of which is Benjamin’s tendency to continue using Mrs. when he speaks to Mrs. Robinson in spite of the fact that they have been engaging in a sexual relationship for a long period of time. While Simon regards this to be an inconsistency, many viewers would argue that Benjamin calling her Mrs. Robinson reveals the fundamental nature of their relationship.
belongs to The Graduate (1967) project
tagged inconsistency mike_nichols mrs._robinson the_graduate by aknopp ...on 06-APR-06
tagged inconsistency mike_nichols mrs._robinson the_graduate by aknopp ...on 06-APR-06