The Graduate is a American independent [ 6 ] romantic comedy-drama film directed by Mike Nichols [ 7 ] and written by Buck Henry and Calder Willingham , [ 8 ] based on the novella by Charles Webb , who wrote it shortly after graduating from Williams College. The film tells the story of year-old Benjamin Braddock, a recent college graduate with no well-defined aim in life who is seduced by an older married woman, Mrs.
Robinson, but then falls for her daughter, Elaine. It received seven nominations at the 40th Academy Awards , including for Best Picture and Best Director , the latter being the film's sole win. National Film Registry as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant". It is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential films of all time. After earning his bachelor's degree , Benjamin Braddock returns to his parents' home in Pasadena, California.
During his graduation party, Mrs. Robinson, the wife of his father's law partner, asks him to drive her home. Once there, she tries to seduce him. At first he resists her advances but later changes his mind. He invites Mrs. Robinson to the Taft Hotel, where he registers under the surname "Gladstone". Benjamin spends the summer idly floating in his parents' swimming pool and meeting Mrs. Robinson at the hotel. During one of their trysts, Mrs. Robinson reveals that she and her husband married after she accidentally became pregnant with their daughter, Elaine.
When Benjamin jokingly suggests that he date Elaine, Mrs. Robinson angrily forbids it. His parents and Mr. Robinson relentlessly pester Benjamin to ask Elaine out. He reluctantly takes her on a date, to Mrs. Robinson's displeasure. Ben attempts to sabotage the date by ignoring Elaine, driving recklessly and taking her to a strip club. She flees the club in tears, but Benjamin chases after her, apologizes and kisses her.
They eat at a drive-in restaurant, where they bond over their shared uncertainty about their future plans. After they visit the Taft Hotel for a late-night drink and the staff greet Benjamin as "Mr. Gladstone", Elaine deduces that Benjamin is having an affair. Benjamin admits to having an affair with a married woman whom he does not name. He tells Elaine the affair is over and asks to see her again. To prevent Benjamin from dating Elaine, Mrs. Robinson threatens to tell her about their affair.
