As finals week quickly approaches, I find myself terrified of the prospect of graduating. It’s something all graduating seniors can relate to in one way or another; the existential terror of saying goodbye to adolescence and hello to the workforce. But it’s also exciting to be entering this new phase of life, to finally get to explore our passions further. This duality has made me feel conflicted, confused, and all-around uneasy, but I’ve found solace in the four films listed below, and maybe you can too.
The Graduate (1967)
A disillusioned college graduate finds himself torn between his older lover and her daughter. (IMDb)
Don’t be fooled by the simple premise – Mike Nichols’ The Graduate is about the uncertainty and existential terror of post-graduation life, the purgatorial pursuit of meaning, and the burden of wasted potential. The Graduate isn’t necessarily a feel-good movie, but it will make fearful graduates feel less alone in their suffering. Plus, it features an iconic soundtrack from Simon & Garfunkel and one of the most iconic final shots of all time.
St. Elmo’s Fire (1985)
(Image credit: Entertainment Weekly)
Seven friends fresh out of Georgetown University struggle to overcome the issues that keep them from growing up and moving on past their college glory days. (IMDb)
St. Elmo’s Fire is a true product of its time. It features most of the key members of the brat pack – a group of young actors who frequently appeared in 1980s teen films together – and some of the storylines haven’t aged well. Nevertheless, it’s fun to turn your brain off and indulge in the characters’ melodrama for a while. The post-grad life presented in St. Elmo’s Fire isn’t very realistic (money is never a primary issue amongst the friend group), but the film does recognize the joy and comfort of having a special third place to return to in times of uncertainty – in this case, the titular bar.
Dazed and Confused (1993)
It’s the last day of school in a small Texas town in 1976. The upperclassmen are hazing the incoming freshmen, and everyone is trying to get stoned, drunk, or laid – even the football players who have signed a pledge not to. (IMDb)
Even though Dazed and Confused follows a group of high schoolers, its themes are relevant to anyone who’s ever felt unsatisfied following the status quo. Instead of tracking one singular protagonist or central conflict, the film adopts a loose structure and follows multiple interconnected plot threads. With its meandering pace and atmospheric setting, Dazed and Confused is easy to sink into. The existential conflict present in The Graduate has no place here. These characters are much more concerned with having fun and making memories. In fact, there’s almost no talk of post-graduation plans amongst the main characters. This easy-going attitude is reinforced by Matthew McConaughey’s iconic line, “You just gotta keep livin’ man: L-I-V-I-N.”
Mallrats (1995)
(Image credit: Crooked Marquee)
Both dumped by their girlfriends, two best friends seek refuge in the local mall.
Even though it’s not about graduation or post-grad life, Mallrats is a kooky hangout movie perfect for graduating seniors who need something to distract them from the stress of job hunting. Like Dazed and Confused, the stakes never really feel high, but one can relate to the protagonists’ aimlessness and lack of direction. It contains a talented ensemble cast, absurd dialogue, and laugh-out-loud moments of physical comedy, the perfect formula for cinematic comfort food.
Chloe Fulk is a senior majoring in Cinema and Media Studies. In addition to working at Media Services, she also writes film reviews for the Indiana Daily Student.
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