The Graduate

The Graduate

From How to Make Films and Influence People by Andrew Curzon and Peter Kimball

April 11, 2026 · 1h 1m · Season 1 · Episode 22

About this episode

Peter and Andrew discuss the iconic film The Graduate, analyzing its themes, performances, and cultural impact.

Peter and Andrew discuss Mike Nichols’ iconic 1967 film The Graduate, exploring how its blend of comedy, melancholy, and social commentary captured the uncertainty of a generation. They analyze Dustin Hoffman’s breakout performance, the film’s ambiguous tone, and why Benjamin Braddock’s aimlessness still resonates today. Plus, they discuss the movie’s famous Simon & Garfunkel soundtrack and its lasting influence on coming-of-age cinema. In their remake scenarios, they tackle a generational challenge: How do you adapt a story about drifting youth for modern audiences? Could it work as a family film without the affair? What would a no-budget hotel version look like? Would it be better as a TV series about finding meaning in the 21st century? The hosts also share their current viewing habits, including Ready or Not 2, Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen, and The Drama, while referencing Tootsie, Risky Business, American Pie, and May December. Topics covered: The legacy of 1960s counterculture, generational drift, the evolution of the coming-of-age story, ambiguous endings, and why some films are both funny and sad.

People in this episode

Hosts: Peter, Andrew

Topics covered

  • The legacy of 1960s counterculture
  • generational drift
  • the evolution of the coming-of-age story
  • ambiguous endings
  • why some films are both funny and sad

Keywords

  • The Graduate
  • Mike Nichols
  • Dustin Hoffman
  • Simon & Garfunkel
  • coming-of-age cinema

Mentioned in this episode

Products: Ready or Not 2, Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen, The Drama, Tootsie, Risky Business, American Pie, May December

Books & works: The Graduate, Ready or Not 2, Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen, The Drama, Tootsie, Risky Business, American Pie, May December

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