MovieChat Forums > The Graduate (1967) Discussion > “Plastics”

“Plastics”

posted 3 months ago by Sidha108 (2386)
4 replies | jump to latest

I have never understood why the line “Plastics” is considered an iconic movie quote. Is there something about the culture of the time it is referencing? It’s a funny scene but I just don’t get what is so memorable or special about the line

[–] Where (1293) 3 months ago

It’s akin to some smug old fart going up to a young college kid today and saying “AI”. Such obvious but at the same time vague life advice.

[–] Information-Police (4182) 2 months ago

The analogy I was going to use.
The ironic thing about the situation in the movie is that Ben is pretty aimless and a bit overwhelmed looking at others of his generation who are looking for meaningful things to do and this guy glibly suggest "plastics" as the answer to a career but plastics also represents things that are fake. So, not the answer he is looking for at all.

[–] OnanTheBarbarian (10671) 3 months ago

I don't see how that line only relates to the 1960's.

The guy in The Graduate is dealing with life and love and the great existential questions, and an older man tells him “One word: plastics.” Totally about the material and success in the middle class, not what the guy is dealing with.

Those same conversations happen to day between college graduates and family. The older man tells him "Two words: Artificial Intelligence".

Same shit. And by the way, there is still a huge successful plastics industry.

[–] strntz (10968) 2 months ago

I have never understood why the line “Plastics” is considered an iconic movie quote. Is there something about the culture of the time it is referencing?

It was used as describing an investment opportunity.

I remember an old MAD Magazine send up of the 1980s Superman movie. Young Clark was going to build the fortress of solitude with the glowing crystal his father left him, and off frame, his Uncle Morty (the only Jew on planet Krypton?) is yelling something to the effect to forget the crystal, the money is in plastic!