Mrs. Robinson (Bancroft), a family friend, who seemed to be a frustrated wife, saw in Ben the opportunity of breaking through the miserable and boring life she was experiencing. The timid young man was seduced and started a long-term affair that he felt was decadent, and that caused major complications when he was railroaded into a blind date with Mrs. Robinson's daughter, Elaine (Katherine Ross). Despite the hysterical behavior of the mother, Ben falls in love with the young girl who after knowing about the affair sent away to Berkley. Elaine becomes the spinal cord of Ben's life. His obsession would not rest until the end of the movie when the couple escaped from the church where Elaine had just gotten married. .
Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? established Mike Nichols as one the most promising "New Hollywood" directors. However, The Graduate made him one of those directors who, at that time, were reshaping the American Motion Picture. He first decided to make a film with no name stars. He also used camera techniques that were completely new to the Hollywood product, and more used in television commercials and avant garde pictures. E.g. Rapid camera cuts, high angle shots. Cinematography also witnessed some shape up. Robert Surtees used some contemporary European techniques that furnished both originality and effectiveness. E.g. When Ben's car stopped and he had to run to the church, he was running towards a camera photographing him with a telescopic lens that made him appear to be running in place even though he was running at high speed. Another major difference from the "traditional Hollywood" was the music choice. Nichols did not want music composed expressly for the movie, but preferred to include popular songs from contemporary singers such as Simon and Garfunkel. This new feature served also as a tool to attract the youth who now had another cult star since James Dean, and one that they feel more identified with, Dustin Hoffman.