The Diplomat (1967)

I remember watching Mike Nichols... back when I was just a kid, he really left an impression on me. Then, out of nowhere yesterday, I spotted his work on a friend's DVD collection... so, I figured I'd have a quick smoke and settle in to watch it... and, hm... well, Anne Bancroft is absolutely brilliant as Mrs. Robinson, though I suppose Dustin Hoffman plays the young Braddock a bit too heavily at times—though maybe that’s just what the role called for. All things considered, it’s a beautiful film; personally, I thought the visuals were stunning, even if the plot felt a little stretched in certain places... but whatever... and that soundtrack... man, that soundtrack is legendary.😁

Overall, I'm curious to know if anyone else has seen it and what your thoughts are?

It’s a solid film, regardless—though I suspect the plot feels a bit forced just to capture that specific 70s vibe where everything felt stagnant and everyone was isolated (not unlike today). The cinematography is phenomenal; it perfectly nails that archetypal 70s look. As for the score, it might actually be the film's strongest element. It remains one of my favorites, and I’m honestly glad someone finally mentioned the diplomat.

😎

When I was a kid, I remember being so on edge, just wondering if Mrs. Robinson was actually going to go for it... 😈

Looking back, maybe not quite that intense, but it's definitely a great movie... 👍

loneowl45 said:I remember watching Mike Nichols when I was just a kid—it’s one of those great memories—and then yesterday I find him on a buddy's DVD collection... decided to take a little break and watch it... and... hm... Anne Bancroft is incredible as Mrs. Robinson, and Dustin Hoffman as the young Braddock is maybe a bit too "extra"—but hey, I guess the role called for it... all in all, a beautiful movie, visually stunning for me personally, even if the plot feels a little stretched... but whatever... and that soundtrack... man... that soundtrack is legendary...😁

Anyway, I'm curious if anyone else has seen it and what you guys think?

Anne Bancroft was only 37 when she played Mrs. Robinson, yet they made her look at least 15 years older. 😁
Thank God for progress...

Anne Bancroft only seemed to get more stunningly beautiful as she aged.
She truly deserved to be a much bigger icon than she was.

I’ve probably sat through this film about five times now 👍 👋

I think I finally started diving into that classic duo, Simon & Garfunkel, earlier today.
😁
As for the movie, I honestly think it holds up just as well now as it did back then. My only real critique is that after this one, it feels like Nichols drifted a bit too far into those overly sentimental romantic waters.
🙄

loneowl45 said:I watched Mike Nichols... saw it back when I was a kid, it’s a great memory, and then yesterday I stumble upon it on a buddy's DVD... just a quick watch, I sit down to see the movie... and... hm... Anne Bancroft is incredible as Mrs. Robinson, Dustin Hoffman as the young Braddock is maybe a little too "extra," but hey, maybe the role called for it... all in all, a really beautiful film. Visually, it's stunning for me personally. The plot gets a bit stretched, but whatever... and that soundtrack... man, that soundtrack is legendary.😁

Overall, I'm curious if anyone else has seen it and what you guys think?

Definitely a 20th-century classic. It's got some silly moments, but the story is awesome 👍

I actually have a copy of that tucked away in my modest little DVD collection. 🙏

"Would you like me to seduce you? Is that what you're trying to tell me?"

I still can't get over that scene where he just sinks into the crowd while "The Sound of Silence" plays in the background—absolutely iconic. Overall, though, it’s a really solid movie, actually quite good...

Do you think I could find this on DVD at a local video rental shop, or is it out of reach? Thanks.

What is this movie even about? 😕
Is it some awkward coming-of-age tale about rich kids dealing with late puberty?
Or maybe just an insecure woman hitting menopause who can't get enough of younger guys?
Is it like an American version of Romeo and Julia set in the seventies?

Seriously, the whole thing feels like a total hallucination. Like you're watching through the eyes of someone who’s been smoking way too much!

Honestly, the only good part is the soundtrack, and thank God there's plenty of it...

Oh, and one more thing... the cover actually features a quote from The Washington Post saying the movie is absolutely hilarious!
I didn't catch that at all. Anyone else?

Mrs. Robinson is easily the most compelling character in the movie.

Would anyone be willing to record that movie for me and send it over? :-)

I've never actually seen it...

This is easily one of my all-time favorite films. I’ve sat through it at least five times now.

One Word: Plastics.

hollowsailor19 said:One Word: Plastics.

What a perfect nickname for Travis.😍 😍 😍

A cult classic, even if it was a massive hit. I saw it years ago as a kid at a summer outdoor screening near Mount Everest. I remember walking out of that theater completely spellbound, just totally captivated by how good it was. There weren't many movies like that back then. I still remember my first impression of that unknown newcomer, Dustin Hoffman—was this little guy with the nose really going to be the lead?! Well, he killed it in the very first sequence. Dustin Hoffman basically kicked off the whole anti-hero trend in cinema. You can actually see Anne Bancroft's name listed first on the poster, with Dustin Hoffman in smaller print. But let’s be real, the movie is practically his since it was his big break.

There's one tiny detail that gave away what a powerhouse he would become: that subtle, quiet whimper when he's having a drink with Anne Bancroft's husband after he suddenly walks through the door.

After The Diplomat, it was nothing but hits for Hoffman—Midnight Cowboy, John and Mary, Little Big Man... all the way until Kramer vs. Kramer. That's when he suffered the typical Hollywood creative death: he won an Oscar and suddenly became boring. He lost the spark, the passion, maybe even the drive. It just turned into a routine. So typical for so many Oscar winners.

Sure, I could have pivoted to talk about Nichols, for whom this was one of his first four great films—Who to Fear, Catch-22, and Sexual Awareness—none of which he ever truly topped again.

One Word: Plastics! 🙂

I honestly don't get it. Why did he have to fall for his girlfriend's daughter, right? Is she really the only girl in existence, or is he just stuck dating his parents' best friend's kid?

Does this guy seriously not have any friends of his own? No acquaintances? Not even a single buddy from high school!?

So his parents only ever hang out with one single couple!?