The Graduate was a pretty provocative movie for its time, even though you can see more sex today on prime-time TV. The raciness is really in the seduction. Nichols said he deliberately left out much of the actual sex acts because he wanted to emphasize how little of a relationship there was between Benjamin and Mrs. Robinson. (Source)
In the film, sex is part of Benjamin's disastrous attempts to grow up and find some meaning in his life, but all it really does is make him realize how empty his life is. He tries to get Mrs. Robinson to talk to him before they have sex so he feels they have at least some kind of relationship. What a square! We see Mrs. Robinson play on Benjamin's sexual worries in order to seduce him—accusing him of being a virgin or concerned about his sexual adequacy.
Ben tries to dismiss what happened between him and Mrs. Robinson by telling Mr. Robinson that it was just "like shaking hands," but the affair has disastrous consequences for Mr. and Mrs. Robinson. Ben gets off more or less scot-free. He feels guilty, but he gets the relationship he wants in the end.
Questions about Sex
- Does the movie have a primarily negative take on sex? Or just specifically, on sex without love?
- What motivates Mrs. Robinson to seduce Benjamin, other than sexual attraction?
- What purpose does this affair serve for Benjamin?
Chew on This
Sex is the only exciting action in the film.
Sex is depicted as depressing and meaningless.