Watching The Graduate and The Heartbreak Kid, I noticed a similar theme in how both films portray marriage, infidelity, and the pursuit of happiness. Both stories follow men who seem to believe that finding the right woman will solve their dissatisfaction with life. They do this regardless of who gets hurt along the way. Personally, I think these films represent a period when Hollywood began to glamorize infidelity and place personal satisfaction above commitment. While I don't agree with this shift, I also recognize that these films are an important part of American history and reflect the changing values of society during the late 1960s and early 1970s.
During this period, America was experiencing major social and cultural changes. The sexual revolution challenged traditional expectations surrounding marriage and relationships, while the women's liberation movement questioned established gender roles. The Vietnam War and counterculture movement also contributed to younger generations rejecting traditional authority and social expectations. Hollywood began reflecting these changes through films that challenged conventional ideas about romance. The decline of the Hollywood Production Code also allowed filmmakers greater freedom to portray sexuality and infidelity. Although these changes opened the door for more complex storytelling, I believe they also contributed to a growing tendency to romanticize behavior that was previously portrayed more negatively.
In The Graduate, Benjamin's affair with Mrs. Robinson is presented through awkward humor and uncomfortable situations. Rather than focusing primarily on the consequences of their relationship, the film often makes the affair entertaining. The use of comedy and Benjamin's characterization as a confused young man make it easier for audiences to sympathize with him, even when his actions are questionable. I find this interesting because the film seems to encourage viewers to understand his dissatisfaction rather than focus on the moral implications of his decisions. However, the ambiguous ending (where Benjamin and Elaine sit silently on the bus) could suggest that pursuing romantic happiness doesn't necessarily lead to fulfillment.
The Heartbreak Kid takes this idea even further. Lenny becomes dissatisfied with Lila almost immediately after their wedding. He then begins pursuing Kelly during their honeymoon. What stood out to me was how quickly he justified his actions by focusing on Lila's minor flaws. Through satire and uncomfortable humor, the film shows how selfish and unrealistic his expectations are. However, I still think there is something significant about turning infidelity into a central source of entertainment. Even if the filmmaker intended to criticize Lenny, the audience spends much of the film following his pursuit of another woman rather than focusing on the emotional damage he causes.
I understand that these films were responding to a society that was changing rapidly, and I can appreciate their historical and cinematic importance without agreeing with the values being portrayed. In my opinion, they reflect the beginning of a larger trend in Hollywood where infidelity became increasingly normalized and glamorized. While both films contain criticism of their protagonists, I believe their use of humor and romance helped make unfaithfulness seem more acceptable in entertainment. Ultimately, these films raise an interesting question about whether Hollywood simply reflects changing social values or plays a role in shaping them.
-Bailee Wenstrom Johnson
October 11, 2026
