MIKE NICHOLS

Bil’s rating (out of 5):  BBBBB. 

USA, 1967.   Lawrence Turman.   Screenplay by Calder Willingham, Buck Henry, based on the novel by Charles Webb.   Cinematography by Robert Surtees.   Produced by Lawrence Turman.   Music by Paul Simon, Dave Grusin.   Production Design by Richard Sylbert.   Costume Design by Patricia Zipprodt.   Film Editing by Sam O’Steen.    

The classic coming-of-age film that is still just as fun and insightful after more than thirty years. Dustin Hoffman is the pinnacle of youthful angst as a college student who doesn’t quite fit in with the rest of his family. One night he drives his parents’ friend (Anne Bancroft) home while her husband is away and she seduces him into bed. The two start a very heated physical affair that is good for them both until he meets their daughter (Katharine Ross) and falls in love with her. Mike Nichols’ direction won a deserved Academy Award for this very intelligent and shrewd observation of sex and relationships, and the acting is top notch.  Hoffman is the picture of youthful confusion, while Bancroft was never sexier or more compelling.

The Criterion Collection:  #800

Academy Award:  Best Director (Mike Nichols)
Nominations: Best Picture; Best Actor (Dustin Hoffman); Best Actress (Anne Bancroft); Best Supporting Actress (Katharine Ross); Best Adapted Screenplay; Best Cinematography

Golden Globe Awards:  Best Picture-Musical/Comedy; Best Actress-Musical/Comedy (Anne Bancroft); Best Director (Mike Nichols); New Star of the Year-Male (Dustin Hoffman); New Star of the Year-Female (Katharine Ross)
Nominations: Best Actor-Musical/Comedy (Dustin Hoffman); Best Screenplay