Context

This famous word is spoken by Mr. McGuire, played by Walter Brooke, to Benjamin Braddock, played by Dustin Hoffman, in The Graduate (directed by Mike Nichols, 1967).

Benjamin Braddock is a little worried about his future, but someone has some advice for him. 

Mr. McGuire, a family friend, pulls him aside and says he has just one word for him. What word is it? Tootsie? Hook? Ishtar? 

No, it's "Plastics." 

"There's a great future in plastics."

Where you've heard it

Did you ever get career advice in the 60s and 70s?

Mr. McGuire was right—plastics make it possible.

Pretentious Factor

If you were to drop this quote at a dinner party, would you get an in-unison "awww" or would everyone roll their eyes and never invite you back? Here it is, on a scale of 1-10.

Come on people: let's get with the recycling program.