One of the most famous endings of all time remains one of the most poignant and beautiful. It's also one of the most controversial, given that people are still trying to work out what, exactly, it actually means. Having spent the sum of The Graduate going after the wrong woman in Anne Bancroft's cougar Mrs. Robinson, then, Benjamin Braddock (Dustin Hoffman) eventually pursues her daughter, Elaine, breaking up a large wedding in the process. Blinded by the passion of the moment, Elaine abandons her fiance and runs away with Benjamin, as the two board a bus to an unknown destination in an attempt to escape a furious wedding party. And then it comes: as they take a seat at the back of the bus, their laughter begin to fade, as they apparently realise they might've made a huge mistake. Today, people are still left wondering what those solemn, confused faces really mean.
Sam Hill is an ardent cinephile and has been writing about film professionally since 2008. He harbours a particular fondness for western and sci-fi movies.
