THE GRADUATE

THE GRADUATE

         The Graduate is a movie directed by Mike Nichols that was released in 1967. The movie is based off the book, written by Charles Webb in the year 1963. This film is well known around America and was selected for preservation in the U.S. National Film Registry. The movie tells a story about a young man named Benjamin Braddock who has just recently graduated from college and isn’t quite sure where he wants to take his life. Shortly into the movie at one of his father’s parties, an older woman asks Ben to drive her home. Ben is already having trouble figuring out what he wants to do with his life so he’s in not such a good mood, but agrees to drive her home anyway, because she is an old family friend. Upon arrival of the house the woman tell Ben that no one is home and that he must stay until her husband gets home. Ben tries to leave multiple times but fails, and the woman tries to seduce him. Soon after Mr. Robinson (the woman’s husband) gets home and Ben ends up leaving. However a few days later Ben is feeling as if he wants to be adventurous and decides to give Ms. Robinson a call. Ms. Robinson and Ben agree to meet at a hotel and their affair begins.

            In this movie the production designer uses all sorts of different techniques with lighting and sound to set certain tones in different scenes. In scenes such as ones in the hotel the lighting seems dimmer and there is soft music playing in the background, which I think is used to make more of a sneaky atmosphere since it is where Ms. Robinson and Ben are having their affair. What I found interesting is the way that Ben’s attitude changed as the film went on. At first everyone seemed so proud of Ben for doing so well in college and he seemed kind of depressed about the fact that his real life is going to start now. But once the affair started Ben seemed much more laid back but also happy.

            The use of sound in multiple scenes throughout the movie does a really good job of setting the mood. The opening scene is in a suburban neighborhood with happy music playing which kind of puts you in a cheerful mood. The movie takes your mood on a roller coaster ride, doing a great job transitioning you from mood to mood.

            Overall I would highly recommend this movie to anyone who is just looking for a quality movie to watch. The different plot twists with the combination of the way the film was put together make this a very good all around movie. I was surprised to hear that the movie was so well known because I had never heard of it. Most situations where a book is turned into a movie, it doesn’t end to well. I’m very happy to see a movie that was able to pull it off.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest

            Milos Forman’s One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s nest is probably one of the most interesting films that I have ever seen. Part of what made this movie so interesting is that the whole thing is based in a mental institution. Jack Nicholson acts the main character that enters the mental institution in the beginning of the movie. Nicholson plays the roll of McMurphy, who actually appears to be the most normal one there. Soon after arriving at the institution McMurphy realizes that all the other patients are terrified of Nurse Ratched. McMurphy is bound to stop it.

            The whole movie is based in a mental institution where the walls are white and gloomy. This gives the movie more of a sad and depressing feel to it. What I think sets the mood more than anything though is the way the people act. When McMurphy first arrives, all of the patients have a sad and depressing attitude. However as the movie goes on McMurphy changes the way they act by acting up himself. He goes against Nurse Ratched and wants to change the way the ward works. He does this numerous times throughout the movie causing the other patients at first to get confused but eventually go with him. For example McMurphy wants to watch the world series game, so he asks Nurse Ratched if they can change around the schedule so that him and the other patients that want to can watch the game. Nurse Ratched says makes it up to a vote. At first no one else will raise their hand because they are to scared, but as McMurphy goes on he convinces the other patients that its okay to vote and not do everything the way Nurse Ratched wants it. When everyone in the discussion group votes that they want to watch the game McMurphy thinks that he has it won. But Nurse Ratched says that it’s not a majority because the other patients (not in the discussion group) didn’t raise their hands. But the other patients have mental problems where they cant really understand what they would be voting for or that they would be voting at all.  This is a part where I think there was a major mood swing. As a viewer you think they have it won which is a relief, and brings the mood up. But then Nurse Ratched takes that feeling right back from you.

            As well as watch the movie I also read the book, which was written by Ken Kesey. In my opinion the book had one significant difference, which is Nurse Ratched. Nurse Ratched in the book is made out to be some demon but in the movie I think they portray her as more of a kind of friendly person that has control over the institution. That really surprised me just because in the book they made her seem so evil.  Overall though I think that they made the movie very well based off the book. The production designer did a great job designing each set to look just as I had imagined it would in the book.

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid

George Roy Hill shows the life of two train-robbing outlaws in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. When I first heard that I was going to be seeing this movie, I wasn’t to thrilled. Not because the movie sounded bad to me but, because I had never heard of it.  However, when the movie began, my view changed. The perfect balance of action and comedy in this film is what made it so great.

            Like some kids I tend to keep my distance from older movies just because I generally have found older movies not as amusing as the newer ones. This is one of the reasons that I was disappointed when I heard we were watching Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. But I tell you, this movie exceeded all of my expectations. Part of what I think made watching two old western outlaws rob trains is the way they did it. They didn’t rob trains in a very intense violent way but more of in a calm friendly way. This gave the movie just an all around more comfortable feeling. What also made the movie have such a friendly feeling is the humor. There were multiple funny moments through out the film. Comedy has always been my favorite movie genre, which is part of the reason that I enjoyed this movie so much. In my opinion it was just the perfect clash of comedy and action. The production designer did a very good job with the sets and costumes, the way the lighting was adjusted to change the mood was great.

            After seeing this movie I am now interested in other old movies that are known to be good. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid honestly changed my view on old action movies. I always thought there would be lame special effects and it just wouldn’t be enjoyable, but I really did enjoy this movie. I recommend this movie to whoever is looking for a quality movie to watch. A solid production designer and director, good acting and an awesome story made this a very good, well-made movie.