What If There Was a Remake on the Graduate?
It's widely acknowledged that "The Graduate" is just one of those iconic movies, it's turned into a mainstay of top movie lists and although over 4 decades old remains timeless having a storyline which is as apt now the way it was back in the 60s when released. However with so many old movies finding the remake treatment imagine if someone did the unthinkable and made a decision to remake "The Graduate". It's a horrible thought I'm sure but who would they cast in those iconic roles of Benjamin Braddock, Mrs. Robinson and her daughter Elaine Robinson.
You could think about the relatively recent stage version of "The Graduate" where Kathleen Turner took around the iconic role on the seductive Mrs. Robinson, and then the likes of Anne Archer, Amanda Donohoe, Linda Gray and Jerry Hall. But in truth it's been a few years since stage play drew in crowds and thus I wouldn't really consider any sexual affair actresses for a remake of "The Graduate".
So who would I chose in those iconic roles. Well let's move on with the easiest that surrounding Elaine Robinson a role which Katharine Ross played so wonderfully while in the movie. It's not a complicated character the innocent, attractive daughter whose our life is messed up when she discovers her boyfriend continues to be having an affair with her mother and thus there are plenty of young actresses who could have fun playing the role effectively. The kind of actress for me could be Rachel Bilson, naturally beautiful and possesses the ability to play the nice innocent form of characters. Well Used to do say it was easy and simple one and although I would personally pick Rachel Bilson there are many young actresses who could over adequately deliver the beauty and innocence in which the character requires.
Having dealt with the easiest character now as to what could be the hardest that surrounding Mrs. Robinson. It's a complex character an adult woman, sexy, seductive, likes a glass or two, yet also manipulative and icy likewise, all of which Anne Bancroft instilled in her original version. Now instantly once you think sexy, seductive and icy Sharon Stone springs to mind going on her performances while in the "Basic Instinct" movies, but there's a problem as Sharon Stone is way too linked to that sort of sexy character and bringing her in the witty and clever "The Graduate" may change the way the movie comes across. It could wind up turning a remake of "The Graduate" into a more steamy, sexual movie instead of the magnificent tale that it is.
There are others who could do it, Susan Sarandon definitely has that sexy older thing going on as does Hellen Mirren. But there is an actress who personally has all the characteristics that Anne Bancroft gave Mrs. Robisnon while in the original and that is Diane Lane. She gets proven in various movies she can be manipulative, icy but additionally sexy and seductive, you just need to watch "Unfaithful" to see how sexy she can be. Plus in her mid 40s is likewise the perfect age for playing the older woman, the caretaker of an early twenty something daughter who may be interested in having fun with a younger man.
Now to Benjamin Braddock a character which to be honest are invariably associated with Dustin Hoffman who gave a sublime performance because young man in one of his earliest movies. The character requires an ability to supply drama, emotion and also subtle comedy and understanding that last element helps it be quite a difficult character to cast when they were to remake "The Graduate". The perfect actor would be someone of their early 20s, in fitting with the age of the character and who can balance drama with subtle comedy where there are not many I can think of. A few years ago I would personally have said Jason Biggs or Paul Rudd could have been good in the role but now they seem to old for your role.
But one young actor who will certainly make a decent enough stab at it would be Nicholas Hoult (A Single Man & Weather Man) who has demonstrated in the young but quite impressive career that he is capable of delivering drama but additionally moments of comedy. Plus being 21 they're the ideal age to relax and play the young nervous graduate who winds up seduced by the older woman. But all at once deliver the inner turmoil on the character, that of fearing the future and the confusing mess of his feelings to Mrs. Robinson and her daughter Elaine.
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Thankfully this can be of course just pure theoretical speculation about my knowledge there are no current plans to execute a remake of "The Graduate", nevertheless, there were rumours of a single a couple of years back which have come to nothing, thankfully. Whilst I can come up with 3 candidates for those important roles I doubt than a remake would find yourself getting close to recapturing the seductiveness, the humour and drama on the original.