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Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Heart of the Hunter (Dragon Chalice, #1) in Books
Oct 23, 2022
195 of 230
Kindle
Heart of the Hunter ( Dragon Chalice book 1)
By Tina St.John (Lara Adrian)
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶
Ariana of Clairmont would risk anything to save her kidnapped brother, a quest she knows is fraught with peril. Her only ally is Braedon le Chasseur, a formidable knight with a mysterious past, whose scarred face and brooding nature mask a soul filled with pain. Ariana fears this dangerous man and the secrets he strives to conceal - but Braedon's touch is pure seduction, his kiss a potent lure that tempts her into a passion she is powerless to resist.
Once known as The Hunter, now haunted by a dark legacy he struggles to deny, Braedon lives in a world of shadow and isolation - until he is thrust together with an innocent beauty in need of his protection. Embarking on a journey that will lead them to a legendary treasure, Braedon will be forced to confront old enemies and the stunning secret of his true nature - or risk losing Ariana and the only happiness he has ever known. . . .
I really enjoyed this book. It was historical romance with a bit of magic thrown in. It was spicy in a hot romantic way. I love Lara Adrian she never fails to bring us a good love story with the type of villains you hate forever. Recommended!
Kindle
Heart of the Hunter ( Dragon Chalice book 1)
By Tina St.John (Lara Adrian)
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶
Ariana of Clairmont would risk anything to save her kidnapped brother, a quest she knows is fraught with peril. Her only ally is Braedon le Chasseur, a formidable knight with a mysterious past, whose scarred face and brooding nature mask a soul filled with pain. Ariana fears this dangerous man and the secrets he strives to conceal - but Braedon's touch is pure seduction, his kiss a potent lure that tempts her into a passion she is powerless to resist.
Once known as The Hunter, now haunted by a dark legacy he struggles to deny, Braedon lives in a world of shadow and isolation - until he is thrust together with an innocent beauty in need of his protection. Embarking on a journey that will lead them to a legendary treasure, Braedon will be forced to confront old enemies and the stunning secret of his true nature - or risk losing Ariana and the only happiness he has ever known. . . .
I really enjoyed this book. It was historical romance with a bit of magic thrown in. It was spicy in a hot romantic way. I love Lara Adrian she never fails to bring us a good love story with the type of villains you hate forever. Recommended!
Heather Cranmer (2721 KP) created a post
Nov 14, 2020
Phoebe (13 KP) rated Hannibal - Season 1 in TV
Oct 8, 2018
Hannibal's character portrayal (3 more)
Will's character depth
The aesthetic
The portrayal of mental disorders
A true favourite
I'm loving the show so far, and considering one of my all time favourite films is Silence of the Lambs, I have high expectations.
It did not disappoint.
The relationships built within this season are well thought out and captivating, especially that of Will Graham and Hannibal Lecter. The way the two men circle each other, their relationship filled with manipulation and a subtle seduction, you learn the ways they need each other, and become dependant on each other as they delve further into each other's psyches.
Speaking of, the way in which Will is both portrayed by Hugh Dancy, and treated within the show in regards to his innate aptitude for understanding the macabre is fascinating. I found it opened a new door to how the mind can work, and the dark repercussions they can have. This is also well shown through Abigail, as we follow through the aftermath of a traumatic event at the hands of her father.
The overly stunning aesthetics of this show work not only to entice but also to act as a juxtaposition to the gore caused by Hannibal and the "monsters of the week" in every episode. It allows the viewer a glimpse into how Hannibal sees the world; as a work of art. Even down to his victims. The elegance that he constantly exudes, particularly in scenes in his kitchen, almost numbs the viewer to the horrific truth behind his character.
Overall, a beautiful show. One I would highly recommend, but maybe not to those with a particularly weak stomach.
It did not disappoint.
The relationships built within this season are well thought out and captivating, especially that of Will Graham and Hannibal Lecter. The way the two men circle each other, their relationship filled with manipulation and a subtle seduction, you learn the ways they need each other, and become dependant on each other as they delve further into each other's psyches.
Speaking of, the way in which Will is both portrayed by Hugh Dancy, and treated within the show in regards to his innate aptitude for understanding the macabre is fascinating. I found it opened a new door to how the mind can work, and the dark repercussions they can have. This is also well shown through Abigail, as we follow through the aftermath of a traumatic event at the hands of her father.
The overly stunning aesthetics of this show work not only to entice but also to act as a juxtaposition to the gore caused by Hannibal and the "monsters of the week" in every episode. It allows the viewer a glimpse into how Hannibal sees the world; as a work of art. Even down to his victims. The elegance that he constantly exudes, particularly in scenes in his kitchen, almost numbs the viewer to the horrific truth behind his character.
Overall, a beautiful show. One I would highly recommend, but maybe not to those with a particularly weak stomach.
Debbiereadsbook (1087 KP) rated Alphas Of Seduction Anthology in Books
Oct 18, 2018
great box set
Once Upon An Alpha along with 4 Paws for Ability, and these several bestselling authors, bring you this page turning, limited edition, anthology that’s sure to keep you up well past your bed time and craving your own Alpha of Seduction.
I had no idea what this charity does, but there is a little bit at the beginning that describes their work. I couldn't see a common theme running through each story, but I did read them all. Maybe, if the theme was more prominent in each story, I might have enjoyed this set a little more. There wasn't, though, any one story that stood out, for either positive or negative reasons, and I'm struggling to write a review for each story, some only a few pages long.
So, here's a general review, for the entire set!
I found them all well written, some in the the third person, some in the first. Some were sexier than others, some almost clean. I saw no spelling or editing errors in any short to spoil my reading.
All these authors are new to me. After some sorting, my wish list is now many more books longer, as each author has given me a taste of their work, and I want to read longer books by these authors. BY ALL of these authors! Usually, in box sets like this, one or two sneak on to my wish list, but this time, they all did.
A nice way to pass a few lunch breaks, a hours of shutting out the world.
a good solid..
4 stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
I had no idea what this charity does, but there is a little bit at the beginning that describes their work. I couldn't see a common theme running through each story, but I did read them all. Maybe, if the theme was more prominent in each story, I might have enjoyed this set a little more. There wasn't, though, any one story that stood out, for either positive or negative reasons, and I'm struggling to write a review for each story, some only a few pages long.
So, here's a general review, for the entire set!
I found them all well written, some in the the third person, some in the first. Some were sexier than others, some almost clean. I saw no spelling or editing errors in any short to spoil my reading.
All these authors are new to me. After some sorting, my wish list is now many more books longer, as each author has given me a taste of their work, and I want to read longer books by these authors. BY ALL of these authors! Usually, in box sets like this, one or two sneak on to my wish list, but this time, they all did.
A nice way to pass a few lunch breaks, a hours of shutting out the world.
a good solid..
4 stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Deadly Desire (Riley Jensen #7) in Books
Mar 17, 2020
Contains spoilers, click to show
Seduction that kills. Pleasure to die for. She just can’t resist…
Guardian Riley Jenson always seems to face the worst villains. And this time’s no different. For it’s no ordinary sorceress who can raise the dead to do her killing. But that’s exactly what Riley expects to find at the end of a trail of female corpses used—and discarded—in a bizarre ritual of evil. With pressure mounting to catch one fiend, another series of brutal slayings shocks the vampire world of her lover, Quinn. So the last thing Riley needs is the heat of the upcoming full moon bringing her werewolf hormones to a boil—or the reappearance of a sexy bounty hunter, the rogue wolf Kye Murphy.
Riley has threatened Murphy with arrest if he doesn’t back off the investigation, but it’s Riley who feels handcuffed by Kye’s lupine charm. Torn between her vamp and wolf natures, between her love for Quinn and her hots for Kye, Riley knows she’s courting danger and indulging the deadliest desires. For her hunt through the supernatural underworld will bring her face-to-face with what lurks in a darkness where even monsters fear to tread.
Keri Arthur is such a brilliant writer and this is one of my favourite series I just love Riley Jensen. This book did not disappoint it was full of suspense , action and sex!! I love the characters in this series and the way the books just flow. So Riley finally finds her soul mate in this one and I totally agree Kye is not suitable but I'm looking forward to seeing it all unravel! Poor Quinn 😢
Guardian Riley Jenson always seems to face the worst villains. And this time’s no different. For it’s no ordinary sorceress who can raise the dead to do her killing. But that’s exactly what Riley expects to find at the end of a trail of female corpses used—and discarded—in a bizarre ritual of evil. With pressure mounting to catch one fiend, another series of brutal slayings shocks the vampire world of her lover, Quinn. So the last thing Riley needs is the heat of the upcoming full moon bringing her werewolf hormones to a boil—or the reappearance of a sexy bounty hunter, the rogue wolf Kye Murphy.
Riley has threatened Murphy with arrest if he doesn’t back off the investigation, but it’s Riley who feels handcuffed by Kye’s lupine charm. Torn between her vamp and wolf natures, between her love for Quinn and her hots for Kye, Riley knows she’s courting danger and indulging the deadliest desires. For her hunt through the supernatural underworld will bring her face-to-face with what lurks in a darkness where even monsters fear to tread.
Keri Arthur is such a brilliant writer and this is one of my favourite series I just love Riley Jensen. This book did not disappoint it was full of suspense , action and sex!! I love the characters in this series and the way the books just flow. So Riley finally finds her soul mate in this one and I totally agree Kye is not suitable but I'm looking forward to seeing it all unravel! Poor Quinn 😢
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Braving Fate ( The Mythean Arcana book 1) in Books
Apr 24, 2022
70 of 230
Braving Fate ( The Mythean Arcana book 1)
By Linsey Hall
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶
As chaos looms, a warrior queen is reborn
Scholar Diana Laughton can't shake her terrible nightmares. Dreams of battle, dreams of blood... dreams so vivid she's living them day and night. When demons invade her quiet life and she flees to Scotland, she fears she might be going mad. Or perhaps she's remembering a past life she never knew existed...
In the midst of betrayal, he must protect her
Mythean Guardian Cadan Trinovante is haunted by a tortured history he shared with Boudica, Britain's warrior queen. Now that she's been reincarnated and given a deadly task, he vows to protect her. He won't let her uncover the truth about their past. It would make her hate him--a fate he refuses to accept.
To succumb to seduction could prove fatal
Thrown together in a shadowy world that exists alongside our own, Diana must learn to fight the demonic forces that want her dead. When Diana attempts to seduce Cadan for information about her past, he aches to claim her. His greatest battle will be resisting a passion that has lasted centuries... and is prophesied to destroy them both.
I really liked it. I love anything mythological or history based and I’m going to be honest I didn’t have a clue who Boudica was so I I also went off and learnt who she was. The story was really good and the characters were interesting it’s definitely a series and author I’ll be following. It was a little brushed or a bit jumpy in places but overall a decent start.
Braving Fate ( The Mythean Arcana book 1)
By Linsey Hall
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶
As chaos looms, a warrior queen is reborn
Scholar Diana Laughton can't shake her terrible nightmares. Dreams of battle, dreams of blood... dreams so vivid she's living them day and night. When demons invade her quiet life and she flees to Scotland, she fears she might be going mad. Or perhaps she's remembering a past life she never knew existed...
In the midst of betrayal, he must protect her
Mythean Guardian Cadan Trinovante is haunted by a tortured history he shared with Boudica, Britain's warrior queen. Now that she's been reincarnated and given a deadly task, he vows to protect her. He won't let her uncover the truth about their past. It would make her hate him--a fate he refuses to accept.
To succumb to seduction could prove fatal
Thrown together in a shadowy world that exists alongside our own, Diana must learn to fight the demonic forces that want her dead. When Diana attempts to seduce Cadan for information about her past, he aches to claim her. His greatest battle will be resisting a passion that has lasted centuries... and is prophesied to destroy them both.
I really liked it. I love anything mythological or history based and I’m going to be honest I didn’t have a clue who Boudica was so I I also went off and learnt who she was. The story was really good and the characters were interesting it’s definitely a series and author I’ll be following. It was a little brushed or a bit jumpy in places but overall a decent start.
Merissa (11704 KP) rated Trelloran Seduction in Books
Dec 17, 2018
Trelloran Seduction is the first book in The Making of a Goddess series. It deals with a harsh environment that not all readers will enjoy. Not only are vampires involved, but women are 'sacrificed' on their 30th birthday, and their brain fluid taken from their bodies. Not only that, but a rape culture by Church is in full swing, only they call it 'Cleansing'. Add into the mix a nymph who can shapechange at will, who has been held captive for hundreds of years, and brainwashed into doing her duty to the priests who rape her, impregnate her, and then, once she gives birth, her babies are given to the vampires as food. Like I say, this is NOT suited to all readers!
However, the very things that make this book quite a dark one to read, also offer the hope of light. Two characters come together, both hurt and traumatised by their pasts. You see them slowly start to trust each other, to understand each other. Now, of course, it's not all love and light. This is a dark book, after all, and betrayal comes when you least expect it and from a direction that although known, you think is a red herring. It's not, and it hurts all the more because of that!
This is very well written, with no editing or grammatical errors to disrupt the reading flow. This part of the story is nicely concluded, whilst leaving you with an opening to the next book. With plenty of action and suspense, this is a brilliant book that certainly kept my attention throughout. Definitely recommended by me.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
However, the very things that make this book quite a dark one to read, also offer the hope of light. Two characters come together, both hurt and traumatised by their pasts. You see them slowly start to trust each other, to understand each other. Now, of course, it's not all love and light. This is a dark book, after all, and betrayal comes when you least expect it and from a direction that although known, you think is a red herring. It's not, and it hurts all the more because of that!
This is very well written, with no editing or grammatical errors to disrupt the reading flow. This part of the story is nicely concluded, whilst leaving you with an opening to the next book. With plenty of action and suspense, this is a brilliant book that certainly kept my attention throughout. Definitely recommended by me.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated Beauty from Pain (Beauty, #1) in Books
Oct 14, 2019
Well this is a backburner book (#1 on my to-read on Goodreads), having been on my Kindle since some time in January 2014 when it was released. I think I've put off reading it simply because of the "erotica" label it had on Goodreads. It wasn't exactly erotica, though. Yeah, they had quite a lot of sex but there was a romance to it, too.
So this starts with Laurelyn arriving in Australia with her best friend to spend time with her best friends brother for three months as he studies wine making there. On the first night they head out to a bar and take part in an...open mic night? Laurelyn sings and plays the guitar (I think) and attracts the attention of Jack, a man looking for his next lover. Instead of the usual week/month, he plans to spend three months with his next bed fellow, giving her whatever she wishes for and making her feel special. Laurelyn catches his attention and he plans to seduce her into agreeing to his arrangement.
I guess if I was on the receiving end of an attractive rich guy wanting to spend three months with me, getting to know me and spending a lot of that time in bed, I'd enjoy it, too, but I have to admit I got a little bored with this. It was taking a little too long to get where it was going and I skipped entire sex scenes. The books 271 pages felt more like 500.
It had a rather promising start, apart from the slightly stalkerish behaviour of Jack as he tried to meet Laurelyn again, and I enjoyed the slow seduction and how he treated her. But then I didn't really see the relationship grow as such. It didn't work for me, personally.
By the end, I wasn't all that bothered about what was going to happen next with the characters so I won't be continuing the series.
So this starts with Laurelyn arriving in Australia with her best friend to spend time with her best friends brother for three months as he studies wine making there. On the first night they head out to a bar and take part in an...open mic night? Laurelyn sings and plays the guitar (I think) and attracts the attention of Jack, a man looking for his next lover. Instead of the usual week/month, he plans to spend three months with his next bed fellow, giving her whatever she wishes for and making her feel special. Laurelyn catches his attention and he plans to seduce her into agreeing to his arrangement.
I guess if I was on the receiving end of an attractive rich guy wanting to spend three months with me, getting to know me and spending a lot of that time in bed, I'd enjoy it, too, but I have to admit I got a little bored with this. It was taking a little too long to get where it was going and I skipped entire sex scenes. The books 271 pages felt more like 500.
It had a rather promising start, apart from the slightly stalkerish behaviour of Jack as he tried to meet Laurelyn again, and I enjoyed the slow seduction and how he treated her. But then I didn't really see the relationship grow as such. It didn't work for me, personally.
By the end, I wasn't all that bothered about what was going to happen next with the characters so I won't be continuing the series.
Merissa (11704 KP) rated Crush Box Set: Books 1 to 3 (Crush Box Set, #1) in Books
Jan 18, 2022 (Updated Jul 5, 2023)
CRUSH Box Set 1 is the first three full-length novels in the Crush series. Crush itself is a bar that features prominently in the first book, and then as a get-together place in the following two. All three stories are different and stand on their own, but I would recommend you read them as a series.
FIRST KISS tells the story of Charlie and Josh. Charlie works at Crush and hopes to become manager one day. INSTANT DESIRE is about Asher and Sean. Asher has loved and lost and is ready to find a relationship. Sean has also loved and lost and yet has closed himself off to the possibility of ever being with someone. And PRIMARY SEDUCTION is about Max and Trent. Max is gay and likes Trent who, as far as everyone knows, is straight. Trent's ex-wife, Trish, has a big role to play in this story and not for good reasons.
Each story was well-written and flowed from beginning to end. I loved the different timeline epilogues we got, and how the stories sometimes overlapped. This happened in books 1 and 2 more than 3. There are steamy scenes as well as ones that are tender and loving -- whichever is being used, it works for the story at that moment.
I would have loved to have heard more about Charlie and Josh as the stories progressed as they really wormed their way into my heart because - although you're not supposed to have favourites - that's what they were!! This was a great box set that I thoroughly enjoyed and have no hesitation in recommending.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jan 18, 2022
FIRST KISS tells the story of Charlie and Josh. Charlie works at Crush and hopes to become manager one day. INSTANT DESIRE is about Asher and Sean. Asher has loved and lost and is ready to find a relationship. Sean has also loved and lost and yet has closed himself off to the possibility of ever being with someone. And PRIMARY SEDUCTION is about Max and Trent. Max is gay and likes Trent who, as far as everyone knows, is straight. Trent's ex-wife, Trish, has a big role to play in this story and not for good reasons.
Each story was well-written and flowed from beginning to end. I loved the different timeline epilogues we got, and how the stories sometimes overlapped. This happened in books 1 and 2 more than 3. There are steamy scenes as well as ones that are tender and loving -- whichever is being used, it works for the story at that moment.
I would have loved to have heard more about Charlie and Josh as the stories progressed as they really wormed their way into my heart because - although you're not supposed to have favourites - that's what they were!! This was a great box set that I thoroughly enjoyed and have no hesitation in recommending.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jan 18, 2022
BankofMarquis (1832 KP) rated The Graduate (1967) in Movies
Jun 16, 2019
Career Defining Turn by Bancroft
On the surface, THE GRADUATE is a story of a young college graduate who has an affair with an older woman. But look beneath the surface and this film becomes much, much more.
Directed by Mike Nichols, THE GRADUATE tells the tale of Benjamin Braddock a recent College Graduate who returns home to figure out what to do with his life. He enters the film in a malaise and is paralyzed into inaction by no clear direction to his life. Taking advantage of this young man's vulnerability, family friend, Mrs. Robinson, seduces Benjamin but Benjamin realizes that he is in love with Mrs. Robinson's daughter, Elaine.
Sounds pretty straight forward, right? But under the smart, understated Direction of Mike Nichols (who won an Oscar for his work), this film becomes much, much more - subverting the notion of love and lust while driving a narrative that shines a light on the generational gap between parents and adult children in a time of great change in America - oh...and doing it in a subtly comedic way (the screenplay was wonderfully written by the great Buck Henry who makes a cameo in this film as a Hotel clerk).
Nichols, smartly, casts then relative unknown Dustin Hoffman as Benjamin because he was able to play the comedy of the awkwardness of the character (especially early on in the seduction/sex scenes with Mrs. Robinson) as well as showing emotion in emotionlessness. His Benjamin is empty - but not lacking of personality or interest - a tough tightrope to walk, but Hoffman plays it well and earned an Academy Award nomination for his work. His character does become...if I'm being honest...less interesting and more "stalker-ish" (certainly from a 21st Century perspective) as he pursues Elaine in the 2nd half of the film, so this diminishes this performance just a bit.
Also earning an Academy Award nomination is Anne Bancroft who dons a career-defining role as Mrs. Robinson. She was having trouble with the part until Director Nichols reminded her that Mrs. Robinson is seducing Benjamin not out of love or lust, but out of anger at the direction her life has drifted. We find out that Mrs. Robinson was an Art Major in College but gave up anything resembling a career when she got pregnant shortly before marrying Mr. Robinson. You can see the seething anger and resentment in the way Bancroft performs this character, with just a tinge of regret. This is a woman trying to take some control over her life - by controlling her relationship with Benjamin. And, when Benjamin decides it is time to take control of his own life, she resents it and digs her claws in deeper. It is a tour-de-force performance, one of the all-time great female performances in film.
The third side to this triangle is Elaine Robinson and as written - and portrayed by Katherine Ross - this is the most problematic of the characters. Elaine appears to be a well adjusted young woman finishing off her college career and is forced into a "date" with Benjamin at the insistence of Benjamin's parents and Elaine's father (Elaine's mother - Mrs. Robinson - is, understandably, silent on this). There is a good scene in the middle of the film where Benjamin and Elaine make a connection (which spurs Benjamin into his obsession with Elaine) but I couldn't really see what was in it for Elaine. Sure, there is the "break away from the carefully crafted life that my parents have set up for me" angle (and, surely, her desire to NOT marry the pre-Med student that she is engaged to lines right up with that) but I just didn't understand/buy her infatuation with Benjamin. Despite this, Ross earned the 3rd acting Nomination from this film.
Credit all 3 of these performances to Director Nichols who finds the right balance in every scene along with an interesting visual style that punctuates the loneliness and isolation that Benjamin is feeling. Add to that the haunting songs/sounds of the Simon and Garfunkel soundtrack - just about the only music in this film - and you have a funny, haunting and important film that is an interesting look at a time in America (the late '60's) where great change was happening and the "Generation Gap" was never more noticeable.
One last note - I LOVED the closing shot of this film. Nichols let the camera roll just a little longer than the actors expected and the look on their faces change, subtly, from surety of their decision and direction to a more "unsure" look. It is a perfect, ambiguous, way to end and I applaud Nichols for making this strong choice.
Come for the seduction, stay for the subtle humor and to watch a Director at the top of his game.
Letter Grade: A
9 stars (out of 10) and you can take that to the Bank (ofMarquis)
Directed by Mike Nichols, THE GRADUATE tells the tale of Benjamin Braddock a recent College Graduate who returns home to figure out what to do with his life. He enters the film in a malaise and is paralyzed into inaction by no clear direction to his life. Taking advantage of this young man's vulnerability, family friend, Mrs. Robinson, seduces Benjamin but Benjamin realizes that he is in love with Mrs. Robinson's daughter, Elaine.
Sounds pretty straight forward, right? But under the smart, understated Direction of Mike Nichols (who won an Oscar for his work), this film becomes much, much more - subverting the notion of love and lust while driving a narrative that shines a light on the generational gap between parents and adult children in a time of great change in America - oh...and doing it in a subtly comedic way (the screenplay was wonderfully written by the great Buck Henry who makes a cameo in this film as a Hotel clerk).
Nichols, smartly, casts then relative unknown Dustin Hoffman as Benjamin because he was able to play the comedy of the awkwardness of the character (especially early on in the seduction/sex scenes with Mrs. Robinson) as well as showing emotion in emotionlessness. His Benjamin is empty - but not lacking of personality or interest - a tough tightrope to walk, but Hoffman plays it well and earned an Academy Award nomination for his work. His character does become...if I'm being honest...less interesting and more "stalker-ish" (certainly from a 21st Century perspective) as he pursues Elaine in the 2nd half of the film, so this diminishes this performance just a bit.
Also earning an Academy Award nomination is Anne Bancroft who dons a career-defining role as Mrs. Robinson. She was having trouble with the part until Director Nichols reminded her that Mrs. Robinson is seducing Benjamin not out of love or lust, but out of anger at the direction her life has drifted. We find out that Mrs. Robinson was an Art Major in College but gave up anything resembling a career when she got pregnant shortly before marrying Mr. Robinson. You can see the seething anger and resentment in the way Bancroft performs this character, with just a tinge of regret. This is a woman trying to take some control over her life - by controlling her relationship with Benjamin. And, when Benjamin decides it is time to take control of his own life, she resents it and digs her claws in deeper. It is a tour-de-force performance, one of the all-time great female performances in film.
The third side to this triangle is Elaine Robinson and as written - and portrayed by Katherine Ross - this is the most problematic of the characters. Elaine appears to be a well adjusted young woman finishing off her college career and is forced into a "date" with Benjamin at the insistence of Benjamin's parents and Elaine's father (Elaine's mother - Mrs. Robinson - is, understandably, silent on this). There is a good scene in the middle of the film where Benjamin and Elaine make a connection (which spurs Benjamin into his obsession with Elaine) but I couldn't really see what was in it for Elaine. Sure, there is the "break away from the carefully crafted life that my parents have set up for me" angle (and, surely, her desire to NOT marry the pre-Med student that she is engaged to lines right up with that) but I just didn't understand/buy her infatuation with Benjamin. Despite this, Ross earned the 3rd acting Nomination from this film.
Credit all 3 of these performances to Director Nichols who finds the right balance in every scene along with an interesting visual style that punctuates the loneliness and isolation that Benjamin is feeling. Add to that the haunting songs/sounds of the Simon and Garfunkel soundtrack - just about the only music in this film - and you have a funny, haunting and important film that is an interesting look at a time in America (the late '60's) where great change was happening and the "Generation Gap" was never more noticeable.
One last note - I LOVED the closing shot of this film. Nichols let the camera roll just a little longer than the actors expected and the look on their faces change, subtly, from surety of their decision and direction to a more "unsure" look. It is a perfect, ambiguous, way to end and I applaud Nichols for making this strong choice.
Come for the seduction, stay for the subtle humor and to watch a Director at the top of his game.
Letter Grade: A
9 stars (out of 10) and you can take that to the Bank (ofMarquis)