Great lead role by Hoffman and skilled direction by Nichols but the rest doesn't live up to the hype.

well directed, with some great camerawork. spotty use of soundtrack that sometimes works great and sometimes baffles the viewer. i really dont know what to think about the hoff's character because it seems to me that he could have seriously been diagnosed with autism--maybe it's just a precursor to "rain man"

not worth all the hype, but not but for it's time. That is of course and oxymoron.

Quite a safe film, very far removed from its "rebellious" label; plus, if time has taken anything away from this film, its the film's youthful sprite that feels quite old today. Anyways, the film is vastly entertaining (better fun than most commercial features today), and the Simon & Garfunkel soundtrack remains awesome.

One time Roeper said this movie was over-rated and I was all like "WAIT, WHAT??? Oh no, wait, actually I think that too." Then we quietly finished our meal while stared at both of us and wept.

Sensual and Nostalgic. Bancroft rules, so does Nichols.

A good movie regarding relationships, insecurities and youth. The soothing soundtrack used in the movie, plus Hoffman's performance added to the score.

Still interesting, but looks a bit outdated now.

215

I've never had such an ultimately frustrating cinema experience. While most of the movie is utterly perfect, Benjamin Braddock is just the most punchable character I've ever seen. He's either a moronic easily-manipulated sad sack, or a prick. Hoffman's stupid dopey voice didn't help either. But yeah everything else, the music, editing, etc, were all amazing. I just hated the main character so damned much.

You might accredit Ben and Elaine's love to pure naivete, but frankly I thought it was completely unrealistic and underdeveloped. The ending shot makes up for this somewhat, but it still doesn't explain how the ridiculous actions Ben took in order to get her back actually worked. It's like she FORGOT he SLEPT with her MOTHER. That, or she's just really in love with guys who own Alfa Romeos. It's a fun movie with a great message, but I think the brilliant camerawork trumps the story.