Daily Dialogue — June 20, 2016

Mrs. Robinson enters Ben’s car.

Mrs. Robinson: Drive down the block.
Ben: Mrs. Robinson, I have a date with Elaine.
Mrs. Robinson: Do exactly as I say.

Ben drives.

Mrs. Robinson: Listen very carefully to me, Benjamin. You are not to see Elaine again, ever. Those are my orders. Is that clear?
Ben: Mrs. Robinson — 
Mrs. Robinson: I could make things quite unpleasant for you.
Ben: How?
Mrs. Robinson: In order to keep you away from her, I am prepared to tell her everything.

The Daily Dialogue theme for the week: First Dates.

Trivia: Mike Nichols said that the use of images to suggest Ben is “underwater” and out of his depth in life — e.g., the fish tank, the pool, the scuba outfit — was deliberate, although he didn’t care if anyone noted this or not. He also emphasized the use of glass as barriers with people cut off from each other and the life around them.

Dialogue On Dialogue: I looked for the first date video, but couldn’t find it, so decided to focus on this scene in which Mrs. Robinson lays down the law on Ben… or at least tries to.

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