If life is linear, time must be its abscissa. The time line will keep spreading forward, advancing, without thinking or nostalgic, but people do not. The film graduates show two eras from one perspective, and reveal a confused future by portraying three characters. The following will attempt to analyze the final scene in the film and contain spoilers, so please appreciate it with caution.
This is a very simple story, linear, direct, and without a trace of craftsmanship. It is this kind of directness that makes the plot rush into the unknown for a time, just like its graduates, bold but confused, frank but still shy.
Spoilers below
The graduate Ben was tempted by Mrs. Robinson to choose a physical slump. Although he hated this unhealthy relationship, he refused to let go because he was confused about the future. Meanwhile, at the encouragement of their parents, Ben had to start dating Robinson's wife, Elaine, only to be drawn to each other. However, under Mrs. Robinson's all kinds of interference, the unscrupulous love came to light. But this did not extinguish Ben's desire for Elaine, and finally broke into the church and took Elaine around the world.
Interestingly, when Ben successfully took Elaine on the yellow bus symbolizing freedom, their expressions seemed to tell a different story.
Smile for the first time
This is a fairy tale where the princess and the prince live happily together.
So, when hopping on the bus to freedom, who can deny that Ben and Elaine are not happy princes and princesses? A boy who goes to her wedding desperately for a girl and only knows her name, a girl who runs away from her wedding for a boy without caring about all history, what better for them than each other. So they laughed like the warm sun in March, with mockery of authority and desire for freedom in their eyes, warm and charming. They are unaware of the scorching heat of April and the cold spring of February, only a momentary desire for life in their eyes, and only a momentary remnant on their lips.
This reflects the ten years of post-war economic take-off in the United States. The complete industrial chain was built during the war. The unique natural environment makes the United States indisputably the darling of God. Different from the declining British Empire and the European continent that is still in the quagmire after the war, Eisenhower's military industry has guaranteed the economic myth of the United States. The 106 consecutive months of economic growth is nothing but the perfect portrayal in a fairy tale. The younger generation was born on the most perfect land, and from the moment of scratching and falling to the ground is the beginning of smiles.
second smile
What followed was a smile. Just imagine which couple has never had "Lvqiqin center affairs, Qi Wan fan time". Even if it was just a slight smile, they had already determined from each other's eyes that he or she was the right person. Slightly raised chin, half-squinted eyes, this smile is contented and proud, as if I wanted to tell the world, look, I have met another person in my life.
And this is the most common feeling of the general public in the United States after the war. Pride and pride have long been deeply rooted in the bones. And on such soil, a confident and ignorant generation was born in this way. They are not afraid of difficulties because they never have to face any. They are sunny and cheerful, because they are ignorant of the world and can keep their innocent hearts all the way. I was fortunate enough to have had a long knee-deep chat with an old gentleman who immigrated to Australia from England, and he smiled when he talked about American sitcoms and said that he didn't like comedies with fake smiles in the background, as if their lives There are no real difficulties, and everything can be done with ease.
lose smile
Immediately afterwards, the eyes of the two separated. Each of them looked forward, but their smiles gradually disappeared. There was still a smile on the corner of his mouth, and his eyes flickered fiercely, but when he looked closely, there was more embarrassment on his face and untimely stiffness in his limbs.
Different from us when we were young, it is difficult for us to believe in fairy tales when we grow up, and all fairy tales seem to end when the prince and princess live happily together, but no one asks about the story behind. Just like "Revolutionary Road" after "Titanic", will the princess and the prince be happy together?
In the same way, let’s not talk about the Beat Generation. From the end of World War II to today, which generation in the United States is not the Beat Generation? Looking back today, we have taken off for many years. What is the current situation of the United States? The widening gap between the rich and the poor, the unfriendly health insurance, the aging infrastructure, and the frequent shootings. Perhaps when you brag about your economy, you may recall that your country's military spending is the sum of the other top ten. This smile is awkward no matter how you look at it.
alone smile
The two smiles were separate, one after the other, but neither of them looked at each other.
This smile is a smile of the past, a smile of memory. This is nothing but the creator's most authentic disclosure to the society at that time, a generation of people who are still complacent in their past glory, and a generation of people who don't know where the future will go. Perhaps this can also be a generation after a country's economic take-off 30 years?
The yellow bus keeps going, and we all have our own answers.
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