The Graduates is a 2008 American coming-of-age teen comedy film directed and written by Ryan Gielen. The film is produced by Ryan Gielen, Matthew Gielen, Josh Davis and Caitlin Marshall. The film tells the story of Ben, Andy, Mattie, and Nickie recent highschool graduates who go toOcean City, Maryland for Senior Week or Beach Week.
Plot
The film explores the life of 18-year-old Ben, shortly after earning his degree from an unnamed high school in Maryland. Ben is heading to Senior Week to hang out with friends, party, and chase the hottest girl in high school, Annie. The movie begins outside a liquor store in Columbia, located between Baltimore and Washington, D.C. in Howard County. Ben is talking to himself when Ben's older brother's friend Brian overhears him, which embarrasses Ben. Ben's older brother Josh gets in the car and hands Ben a bag of liquor. They then drive to pick up Ben's three friends, Andy, Mattie and Nickie. After picking up Ben's three friends, the group heads off to Ocean City. During the trip to Ocean City the group has discussions about sex, which highlights the group's limited understanding of sex and their naivete. Upon arriving in Ocean City the group gets drunk and goes to a party. After entering the party, Josh tells the boys "the secret" about female body language. Later at the party Ben talks to Megs, his best friend who earlier gave him that secret. As they talk, Annie enters the party. Her entrance completely distracts Ben. Ben then sits down next to Annie and flirts with her. As Ben and Annie begin to kiss, Nickie gets into a fight, which causes Annie to leave and ends the party. The next day, the group goes out on the town, has funat the beach, and cruises the boardwalk. They end up back at Ben's condo and play Asshole. Andy becomes president and declares that Nickie must toast him. After a brief verbal spat, Ben becomes Vice President and calls for a confession. After a descriptive story from Josh about losing his virginity, the boys stumble into an awkward conversation about divorce. Throughout the rest of the week the viewer meets many more characters that come in and out of the story line.
Cast
Rob Bradford as Ben
Blake Merriman as Andy
Nick Vergara as Mattie
Michael Pennacchio as Nickie
Stephanie Lynn as Annie
Josh Davis as Josh
Max Lodge as Stuart
Laurel Reese as Megs
Brian Seibert as Brian
Rachel Kiri Walker as Rachel
Zak Williams as Mike "The Resonator" Resniski
Josh Folan as Jesse Swomley
Meghan Miller as Mellisa
Christine Utterberg as Dee
Logan Tracey as Trish
Katy Wright-Mead as Chelsea
Dennis Hill as Steven Wright
Nadeya Ward as Beth-Anne
Tyler Ramage as Dan
Brandon Kenny as Partygoer #4
Lena Hall as Inga
Lauren Toub as Bridget
Tom Cryan as Tom
Music
The Film has three original composed songs by Seth Freeman.
This is the first film to be shot entirely on location in Ocean City, Maryland. Additionally, "Violets are Blue" starring Kevin Kline, was partially shot in Ocean City, Maryland.
The film is Zak Williams', son of famous actor Robin Williams, feature film debut.
