Film Structure Analysis #9 - The Graduate (1967)

I've come back to The Graduate many times because... it is amazing on so many fronts.
Calder Willingham and Buck Henry crush the adaptation of Charles Webb's novel.
Mike Nichols' visual storytelling eloquence is off the charts here (I've said something like that before and will say it again).

Today I was thinking about the structure of the film in a simplified sense. This is a story of connection with a core question of love or union. It makes sense that the major act breaks and the midpoint follow that focus.

Mrs. Robinson hits on Ben, which gets the story rolling.
After being pushed deeper into loneliness, disconnection, and isolation, Ben reaches out to Mrs. Robinson to take on her offer. This is a perfect Act 1-2 transition. The track star has started smoking. The affair sets off. More water to come--loneliness.

The midpoint is marked by a fight between Ben and Mrs. Robinson about Elaine: a destruction, perhaps the most depressing point of the film, a glimpse at a possibly devastating ending--the two of them deciding not to talk to each other, facing apart in a wide shot, undressing with low energy, defeated movement.

From here we go directly into our first positive connection in the film--time with Elaine. We set up a new goal--still connection and love but now with Elaine. The affair, though over, now comes out into the light and the two get separated, but this new goal has already been established. Ben states his intentions to marry Elaine, he admits that she hates him, and follows her to Berkley to finish the story for better or worse. We have a great Act 3 setup here.

They connect, more of the truth comes out (in Ben's favor this time), but the parents pull them apart again.
We finish with one of the greatest showdown, ticking clock, cathartic sequences in film history, and you've got your story.

Be well.
http://www.LionSuit.com
(words and image are original)