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We start with the very appropriately titled, The Graduate (1967) directed by Mike Nichols (The Birdcage). A vintage film, it stars Dustin Hoffman (Hook, Meet the Fockers), Anne Bancroft (The Elephant Man) and Katharine Ross (The Stepford Wives). Hoffman plays university graduate Benjamin Braddock. With no set plan for what’s next, he returns home to California (USA) to live with his parents. During a party held in his honour, he is unexpectedly seduced by a friend of his father’s, Mrs. Robinson (Bancroft). Resistant at first, he eventually gives in and meets her at a hotel – which becomes a regular occurrence.

 

The love affair becomes complicated when he bonds with her more age-appropriate daughter Elaine (Ross), over their shared uncertainty over their futures after graduation. Benjamin must choose who he really wants, and what he wants from life. A critical success, The Graduate was nominated for 7 Oscars [winning only for Best Director] and won 5 Bafta’s. It has been ranked by the AFI (American Film Institute) as the 17th greatest US film of all time. A.D. Murphy (Variety) described it as a “delightful satirical comedy drama”. It gives a vivid insight into life post-university, the struggle to find a job and the distractions that may occur to getting back onto your career path. The key message being: always have at least a rough plan and a back-up for after you graduate. You can view this timeless classic on both DVD & e-stream and catch a glimpse through watching the trailer now by clicking the link below:

 

Moving on a few decades, we have the most modern entry, The Social Network (2010). Directed by David Fincher (Fight Club, Gone Girl), it depicts the founding of the global social platform known as Facebook. Featuring a cast lead by Jesse Eisenberg (Now You See Me, Zombieland) as creator Mark Zuckerberg, alongside the likes of: Andrew Garfield (The Amazing Spider-Man), Max Minghella (The Darkest Hour) and Rooney Mara (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo 2011). Based on the 2009 book The Accidental Billionaires, the plot begins in October 2003, where Zuckerberg is a sophomore [second year] student at Harvard University in Massachusetts [USA]. After being dumped by his girlfriend Erica (Mara), he decides to get his revenge by posting about her on his blog in a derogatory manner. Going a step further, he creates a website called Facesmash, allowing visitors to rate female students’ attractiveness.

 

Facesmash’s popularity leads to the Winklevoss twins and their business partner Divya (Minghella) inviting Mark to work with them on a social network exclusively for Harvard students called Harvard Connection. Zuckerberg has other ideas however, and after gaining backing from close friend Eduardo (Garfield), successfully creates and launches “The Facebook”. Unsurprisingly, an almighty legal battle ensues thereafter. The Social Network was greatly received by critics and audiences. An incredible 22 critics named it their best film of the year and the screenplay was ranked the 3rd best of the 21st Century so far. Overall, it is a good viewing for showing what University life can be like, and what you can do, if you are creative enough. Watch it now on DVD and view footage of Mark’s interesting first lecture by clicking the link below:

 

Third on the list, is Gus Van Sant’s powerful drama Good Will Hunting (1997), with an impressive cast that includes: Matt Damon (Jason Bourne, The Martian), Robin Williams (Aladdin, Mrs. Doubtfire), Stellan Skarsgård (Thor, Mamma Mia) and Minnie Driver (Disney’s Tarzan, GoldenEye). Damon portrays 20-year-old Will Hunting, a Maths genius, working as a janitor at MIT (The Massachusetts Institute of Technology) after a prison stint derailed his life. One day Professor Gerald Lambeau posts a difficult maths problem for his students to solve on a blackboard outside of his classroom. Will solves it anonymously. Impressed Lambeau sets another problem to find out who solved it, catching Will in the act but disbelieving he is the mystery genius due to his lowly position, Meanwhile, Will meets and becomes infatuated with an English student named Skylar (Driver).

 

After realizing his mistake, Professor Lambeau resolves to help Will realize his potential, with the help of his close friend and psychology teacher Dr. Sean Maguire (Williams). But Will’s run-ins with the law threaten to wreck it all. Beloved by many, Matt Damon came in for special praise for this one, with Peter Stack [San Francisco Chronicle] exclaiming it was – “a radiant performance by Matt Damon… Intimate, heartfelt and wickedly funny, it’s a movie whose impact lingers.” Good Will Hunting gives a solid look at how life can go off the rails after graduation, but also how some do get second chances. The movie is available to watch now on both DVD & e-stream and you can see the special moment Lambeau realizes who Will his by clicking the link below:

 

 

 

Perhaps surprisingly, the author’s choice this week is quirky comedy Legally Blonde (2001), directed by Robert Luketic (Monster-in-Law). Based on a novel by Amanda Brown, the cast features the likes of: Reese Witherspoon (Walk the Line, Water for Elephants), Luke Wilson (The Royal Tenenbaums), Selma Bair (Hellboy 2004) and Victor Garber (Titanic). Witherspoon portrays Elle Woods, a University of California student. Who, when she is unceremoniously dumped by her boyfriend Warner for not being serious enough about her future, decides to prove herself to win him back. After months of studying, she successfully enrols in Harvard Law School alongside him. Relatively early on however, she hears that Warner has become engaged to her fellow student (and his ex) Vivian (Blair). Having heard about Elle’s enrolment, Warner admonishes her once again, believing her not smart enough to complete the course.

 

Elle gains an internship with alongside Warner & Vivian, working for respected Professor Aaron Callahan (Garber). Assigned to help on a high-profile murder case, she catches the eye of Callahan’s partner Emmett (Wilson). Beginning to realise she is actually quite good at what she is doing, Elle finally resolves to see it through and improve herself. Legally Blonde had mostly positive reviews, with Roger Ebert labelling it “impossible to dislike”. In terms of career aspirations, Paul Clinton [CNN] described the film as a – “sassy satire that retains a message: believe in yourself and follow your dreams.” The film has in fact gone on to inspire many a female filmgoer to become prospective law students and is seen as a quintessential female empowerment vehicle. It’s available to watch only on e-stream and you can view the moment Elle starts to show her skills in a lecture by clicking the link below:

 

So, there you have it, four films to help you think about graduation and all that comes with it. Lessons to be learned and inspiration to be given. Get watching and good luck for the future to those graduating this year.

 

 

 

 

Not sure how to access e-stream? Then simply click on the link below…