Daily Dialogue — June 26, 2015

Mr. McGuire: I just want to say one word to you. Just one word.
Benjamin: Yes, sir.
Mr. McGuire: Are you listening?
Benjamin: Yes, I am.
Mr. McGuire: Plastics.

— The Graduate (1967), screenplay by Calder Willingham and Buck Henry, based on the novel by Charles Webb

The Daily Dialogue theme for the week: Memorable 1-Word Lines. Today’s suggestion by Waka.

Trivia: None of the older characters has their first name identified in the film; only the younger characters of Benjamin, Elaine and Carl do, increasing the sense of a generation gap.

Dialogue On Dialogue: Commentary by Waka: “Tons of subtext in just one word. On the surface, Mr. McGuire is giving Benjamin some helpful career advice. Underneath, though, he unwittingly describes 1) the society in which he lives 2) what Benjamin fears he will metaphorically become.”