The Graduate (1967) Ending Explained
tl;dr:
The ending of The Graduate (1967) is one of cinema's most iconic and ambiguous conclusions. After disrupting Elaine Robinson's wedding to another man, Benjamin Braddock (Dustin Hoffman) whisks her away on a bus. Their initial euphoria fades into quiet uncertainty as they sit in silence, their expressions shifting from joy to doubt. The film leaves their future unresolved, questioning whether their rebellion against societal expectations will lead to happiness or further disillusionment. The final shot lingers on their faces, symbolizing the generational conflict and existential uncertainty of the 1960s.
Detailed Explanation of the Ending:
The climax of The Graduate sees Benjamin arriving at Elaine's church wedding after a frantic cross-town chase. In a dramatic sequence, he bangs on the glass barrier separating him from Elaine, screaming her name. She hesitates but ultimately chooses Benjamin, shouting "Ben!" as they flee the church together. This moment is a rebellion against the stifling conformity of their upper-middle-class world, represented by Elaine's parents (particularly Mrs. Robinson, Benjamin's former lover) and the groom's family. Their escape is chaotic and triumphant, underscored by Simon & Garfunkel's "Mrs. Robinson," but the euphoria is short-lived.
On the bus, the couple sits in silence, their initial exhilaration giving way to uneasy contemplation. Benjamin's face, in particular, shifts from victory to something resembling dread or confusion. This abrupt tonal shift suggests that while they've rejected the path laid out for them, they have no clear alternative. The film doesn't romanticize their rebellion; instead, it questions whether their impulsive act will lead to fulfillment or simply another form of entrapment. The final shot holds on their expressions, leaving the audience to ponder whether love or mere desperation drove their actions.
Unresolved Questions:
1. Do Benjamin and Elaine truly love each other, or are they just rebelling?
- Possible Answer: Their relationship is more about defiance than deep connection. Elaine is drawn to Benjamin's rejection of her parents' world, while Benjamin may see her as an escape from his own existential crisis.
2. What will happen to them after the bus ride?
- Possible Answer: Their future is uncertain-they might realize they're incompatible, or they could grow together outside societal pressures.
3. Is Mrs. Robinson's influence truly behind them?
- Possible Answer: Her shadow looms large; Benjamin's affair with her may haunt their relationship.
4. Does Benjamin ever find direction in life?
- Possible Answer: The film suggests he's trapped in cyclical dissatisfaction, always chasing the next thing without purpose.
Themes and Symbolism:
The ending encapsulates the film's central themes of alienation and generational disillusionment. Benjamin's entire arc revolves around his inability to navigate adulthood, symbolized by his floating in the pool and his affair with Mrs. Robinson. The bus becomes a metaphor for the aimlessness of youth-it's moving, but to where? The silence between them mirrors the communication breakdown between generations, a key concern in 1960s America. The film critiques the emptiness of suburban prosperity, suggesting that even love and rebellion may not fill the void.
Personal Opinion:
The Graduate's ending is a masterstroke of ambiguity, perfectly capturing the uncertainty of its era. While some viewers might crave closure, the open-endedness is the point - Benjamin and Elaine are as lost at the end as they were at the beginning. The film refuses to glamorize their rebellion, instead presenting it as another impulsive act in Benjamin's series of misguided choices. Dustin Hoffman's performance sells the moment; his face conveys a dawning realization that freedom isn't the same as happiness. Personally, I find the ending haunting and deeply truthful. It's a reminder that escaping one trap doesn't guarantee liberation-you might just find yourself on another bus, going nowhere.