Mike Nichols
The Graduate - Il Laureato

The water element is at the forefront throughout the film, whether it's an aquarium, a swimming pool, or rain, it permeates the lives of the restless protagonists.

What is an aquarium if not a "cage" where the unfortunate fish follow marked and repetitive paths? The Graduate lingers in the room watching those fish move in their "pen," in their destined path just like him. He does not want to go down to that party where glasses clink, diamonds shine, pearls, kisses, and congratulations.

An archetype of the prodigal son returning to embark on and retrace the destiny of the parents, he looks out the window at what should be his future. His parents' friends are there waiting for him, at yet another alcoholic party, witnesses of a cushioned world that "outside" that house is in decline.

In 1967, the American story and the relevant dream are waning. From there on, everything will change. Like a domino effect, the decade is giving way to the seventies. There are too many changes to pretend that surreal life, made of parties and conventions, can continue: Outside that golden "cage" there are: the Cold War, the Vietnam War, class struggle, racial strife, drugs, and youth revolts.

In the end, Benjamin does his duty, annoyed but forced into the "crowd" of his parents' friends, acclaimed and hailed for his success.

Everything would seem in order but at the end of the "parade" of people, she arrives, assertive and dysphoric, the beautiful and bored wife of one of his father's partners. A woman Benjamin has known since childhood and who asks him for a ride in the car. It is precisely in the aquarium that Mrs. Robinson will throw the car keys that will ferry the protagonist from a fake future towards a murky reality.

The first image of Mrs. Robinson is winning. She gives orders, she decides, she plays with histrionic seduction and manages to take the young man into her room and without mincing words, she wants him immediately. Shortly after, destiny fulfills itself, the relationship begins, and the mature woman starts to weaken. The Graduate falls in love with Mrs. Robinson's daughter.

It will be the water that will always shuffle the cards. During a downpour, the two lovers are discovered by the daughter.

The happy ending reassures all the baby boom fans but accompanies cinephiles for 60 years until today, a classic, as current as its enchanting soundtrack by Simon and Garfunkel.

What has changed over the years for the modern daughters and granddaughters of Mrs. Robinson? Absolutely nothing. They have changed our name, we are MILFs for the pockets of pornographers, beauticians, hairstylists, and plastic surgeons. Once again subservient to male fervid imagination.