In the movie The Graduate, Ben’s most prominent personality trait is anxiousness as shown by close up shots, low angle shots, and zoom out shots.
Close up shots are used in a very effective way throughout The Graduate. As the movie starts, Ben is on a plane, flying back home for his college graduation party. The director, Mike Nichols begins the movie with an opening close up shot of Ben. This immediately catches the attention of the viewer as Ben is staring off, blankly against a white wall. The director also does a fantastic job placing Ben off centered on the screen. This is hinting to the viewer that Ben is not necessarily normal. Ben makes it home and his graduation party begins. He acts extremely nervous while talking to people and heads up to his room. Another close up shot of Ben is shown as he is staring into his fish tank. This shot shows Ben surrounded by water, kind of hinting he is drowning in life. He is very worried about his future and does not really know what
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The first example comes when Ben is at his graduation party and Mr. Maguire pulls him aside to talk to him about future fields to study. The director uses a low angle to show Mr. Maguire standing above Ben. This shows Mr. Maguire having power and authority over Ben. Ben is very nervous talking to him and struggles to get his words out showing how anxious he is around others. The next example comes when Mrs. Robinson asks Ben to take him home from his party. She brings him into her home and begins to seduce Ben. He is in a very uncomfortable position and is getting taken advantage of by Mrs. Robinson. A low angle is shown with Mrs. Robinson above Ben, looking bigger and more powerful than him. Ben acts very nervous around her, especially when her husband comes home. Ben has a very hard time talking to him due to his social anxiety. Low angles are used in a very effective way to help establish Ben’s