The Graduate

I had seen tidbits of The Graduate when I was much younger, and seeing the film all the way through painted the picture much more clearly than before.  It is really a film about being lost.  After graduating from college, Benjamin has no idea what to do with himself.  He states many times that he is worried about his future.  In this vulnerable state, he allows Mrs. Robinson to seduce him and obviously this leads to some major consequences that he might have thought about if he had a clear head.  When he meets Elaine, he finds he enjoys her company very much, but again, he doesn't know what to do about it due to his affair with Mrs. Robinson.  I also think the recurring imagery of water throughout the film has some hidden symbolism.  In a way, the water symbolizes Benjamin's life, as both have no shape.  The famous scene where Benjamin steps into the pool with scuba gear on is very disorienting, making a good comparison with what Benjamin himself must feel like.  The director did a fantastic job with this scene, especially with the audio, making it seem like Benjamin is alienated from the outside world.  Even at the end of the film, when it seems Benjamin has gotten what he wanted, he gazes off into the distance with an uncertain look in his eyes.  Even at that moment, with Elaine sitting by his side, he still looks lost.