The Graduate ending explained: Is there an Elaine-Benjamin reunion and what do we know about the concluding bus sequence?

The 1967 romantic comedy classic The Graduate starring Dustin Hoffman, Anne Bancroft, and Katharine Ross has been loved by generations. Director Mike Nichols won an Academy Award in the Best Director category for this movie. The Graduate was nominated in several other categories at the Academy Awards as well.

The Graduate follows the plot of a young man, Benjamin who has recently graduated and is on his journey to figure out his future after college amidst trials and uncertainties of life. He discovers love in a complicated situation, and the rest of the story follows how Benjamin deals with it.

The synopsis of The Graduate as per Rotten Tomatoes reads as:

Benjamin Braddock (Dustin Hoffman) has just finished college and, back at his parents' house, he's trying to avoid the one question everyone keeps asking: What does he want to do with his life? An unexpected diversion crops up when he is seduced by Mrs. Robinson (Anne Bancroft), a bored housewife and friend of his parents. But what begins as a fun tryst turns complicated when Benjamin falls for the one woman Mrs. Robinson demanded he stay away from, her daughter, Elaine (Katharine Ross).

The ending scene of The Graduate has been a very popular scene of all times, leaving the audience with feelings of intrigue as well as heartwarming. It has a huge cultural impact as well. Let us explore what happens at the end of The Graduate.

Disclaimer: This article contains the author's opinions. Reader discretion is advised.

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The Graduate ending explained: Is there an Elaine-Benjamin reunion?

In the earlier parts of the film, Benjamin and Mrs. Robinson strike an affair. But Benjamin's parents and Mrs. Robinson's husband insist on Benjamin taking the Robinsons daughter, Elaine out on a date. Benjamin is disinterested at first and tries his best to ruin their time together, but sooner, Benjamin and Elaine start liking each other, to Mrs. Robinson's dismay.

Benjamin tells Elaine the truth, and that deeply upsets her and she begins dating Carl. After several misunderstandings and clarifications later, Elaine and Benjamin get back together, only to be ruined by Mr. Robinson, with Elaine being compelled to leave college immediately and marry Carl.

However, in the end, during Elaine and Carl's wedding ceremony, Benjamin arrives at the church to interrupt the wedding. All hell breaks loose with a string of hilarious mash-ups and chasing, including Benjamin fending off the family and the rest of the guests with a big Cross, and he locks the door of the venue from outside with the Cross.

Elaine and Benjamin run away in a thrill-induced scene and catch a bus, all while Benjamin adorably holds onto the train of Elaine's wedding gown. The scene undoubtedly feels liberating and satisfying to witness, with a young star-crossed couple listening to their hearts and defying all the norms and restrictions placed on them, by letting love conquer it all.

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What do we know about the concluding bus sequence in The Graduate?

The last frame of The Graduate is what makes us realize the break between fantasy and reality. The couple enter the bus and settle at the bus' last seat, with other passengers looking at them. The scene shifts into a close shot of the couple's facial expression changing slowly with their smiles fading off and tentativeness setting in, which gives us a feeling of how the adrenaline and the excitement of Elaine and Benjamin slowly shed off and the realization of reality begins to grow on them.

Viewers are left wondering about the future of the lovers- Will they regret it in the future? Where shall they go now? What are the repercussions of this action? What must be happening at the Church right now?

The question again returns to Benjamin's life that he had always avoided- "What now?", with the pleasant Sound Of Silence by Simon & Garfunkel playing in the background.

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