The Graduate Ending Explained

[hippiedachshunds]

I don't see regret in their faces. I think they are both just then realizing the consequences of their actions. Ben doesn't have a job. Elaine hasn't finished college. Their fathers' partnership will not likely survive the fallout. Elaine has to get an enullment. The enormity of what they've just done is setting in.

[chitsb]

I think it’s the moment where they quite literally transition to adults. “Now what?” but also a dose of “who knows!”

[thomaslong]

The perfect ending when the camera following the bus stops and the bus goes on. On to the unknown. The film let them go and we are done. Powerful.

[lashea]

To me it seems they both are scared of the unknown which is realistic.

[Sarendra]

I agree with your interpretation. Just had the same thought when I watched the ending with my husband. In my memory, it was a happy ending, Ben and Elaine being together and such... but then Sound of Silence starts and the smile drops from their faces. They got nothing to say to each other. Totally sad ending.

[lennynero]

I always found a bit weird how Ben never looks at Elaine. Elaine looks at him, waiting for their eyes to meet, but he just sits there and either ignores her or is just too deep in his thoughts. It gives the impression that he accomplished his mission, he scored a major win, but then he kinda forgets what the mission was, what he actually "won": The person right next to him, wating for his eyes to meet hers.

Or he is too scared to look at her, because he just destroyed her relationship with her parents, maybe for good, and he can't promise her that it'll be worth it.

[patrickmaffei]

I agree with most of your take on the ending. I've loved this movie since 1969. I've had changing takes on the ending thru the years as I got older. Now at age 65, I see it in a different light than when I first saw it at 15. These were two kids, really in the late 1960's, a time of uncertainty, and I think these kids have the privlige of living in a time of complete spontaninity, and living for the moment. Sadly something most of us loose as we get older. So they did what they did at the end because they wanted to at that moment in time. Then their actions settle in as they sit in the back of the bus. They're together and they'll see what's in store for them down the road. Day by day, moment to moment. Hello darkness, my old friend, I've come to talk to you again.

[maitri]

I think the reason they are drawn to each other blindingly because their lives had been set up from the start from their parents, all safety net and dull. Then when the opportunity arises to be get out of it (or just toy with the idea of forbidden fruit) they would repulsively shallowed it. Without knowing if they are prepeared or right for each other (especially in the Berkeley "stalker" scenes, quite neurotic/pushy Ben and naive Elaine). And then the reality hits them at the end. In short, all the characters in the film are all quite insupportable in relationship.

[jollyyeholiver]

I think the book ending, is more interesting she says his name clearly about to ask a question or state something, he asks "what?" Book ends left to guess what she would say.... Or maybe constru it from the novel itself...

[bking]

To me there are multiple questions in this scene. "What did we do? Why would we do it? What do we do now?" Life is full of questions we won't always be able to answer (like "what are you gonna do in life?") and sometimes thinking about it can lead to distress and unhappiness.

[vince]

"Comment down below or dont." Such a passive-aggressive sentence.

[johnlynch]

I love this film! My favorite. I can relate to Ben.

[johnfink]

They trashed a wedding, waved down what looks like a school bus only to move forever forward. Totally groovy.

[lindaeasley]

I always saw the expressions on their faces as a we made it moment, now on to whatever awaits us in the future

[hylndrfan]

He's thinking, I hope that dude who offered me the job at his plastics factory hasn't changed his mind.

[David-dzig]

Undoubtedly, young Ben and a Elaine will no longer be able to count on their rich and powerful parents’ financial assistance and this reality begins to set in leading to THAT moment of discovery that they are no longer carefree pampered adolescents. They are now adults who have to rely on their own resources to make it as a couple if they so choose to go down that path. Elaine has more on her plate because she has to decide whether or not to get out of her marriage to Carl via annulment and whether or not she wants to pursue a relationship with the same man who had a sexual liaison with her own mother. What must young Ben think knowing he had both mother and daughter! I think the movie Rumor Has It with Jennifer Aniston Shirley McClaine and Kevin Costner gives its own spin on life “after” The Graduate! Talk about a love triangle!!!

[FormerfishsFinds]

The director wasn't there for the last shot and it was presided over by a producer who forgot to tell cut and the actors not breaking character just sat there. The director saw it and likes it's ambiguity and kept it in.

[imstupidbut]

Seems like they’re worried about their future

[pmcclaren]

Beautiful. They are a couple who know they were meant for each other. She made a choice she talked herself into believing but she knew it was a lie. They both realised they were meant for each . He never gave up and they married the right spouse. This was 1968. I share a similar longing 50 years later; have never fallen out of love with my childhood sweetheart. Never will.

[jerrygil]

This ending is like The Florida Project