American Graffiti

A movie that inspires you to be young again, "American Graffiti" touches on all bases when not only a group of teenagers but a whole generation seemed so innocent.

This movie shows the classic Americana that has inspired countless generations all over the world. What also made it stand out is the music which George Lucas has cleverly woven on the fabric of each character's story.

The story is about a group of teens in the late August in 1962, Steve Bolander (Ron Howard) and Curt Henderson (Richard Dreyfuss) are best friends set to leave for college. Steve is also dating Laurie (Cindy Williams) who is also Curt's sister, the three go to the local diner to meet their other friends "The Toad" (Charles Martin Smith) and the racer John Milner (Paul Le Mat).

This was the night that would change their lives forever, Steve and Laurie would often fight and breakup for the rest of the night. Meanwhile Milner would get a challenge from the new hotshot racer in town Bob Falfa (Harrison Ford) while accidentaly picking up an underage girl Carol (Mackenzie Phillips). The Toad in the meantime drives in Steve's car and meets the flirtatious Debbie (Candy Clark) and gets his car stolen. The most important character of the film is Curt who's quest to find "The Blonde in the T-Bird" (Suzanne Somers) also gets him mixed up in all kinds of shenanigans with a group of greasers ("The Pharaohs").

George Lucas himself admitted that the characters of Curt, Milner and The Toad are representations of himself when he was growing up. He cleverly shows the style and longing of years gone by focusing on what kids his age used to do in those years like going to dances, cruising around town and drag racing. He also cleverly uses music that echo the golden years of rock and roll that the following generation would follow.

Just listening to the music brings you total comfort and nostalgia, whenever I would watch the film I would often list the music that is being played on each scene and download it. This film not only made it cool to listen to vintage music but it also showed that it can be marketable and fashionable to do so.

This film in my opinion also shows the years when America seemed so innocent, the changes in the 60's have definitely changed their culture and the whole world as a whole. I consider this one of the best coming of age films that I have seen.
Today George Lucas is known for the "Star Wars" movie franchise, but this film clearly suggests the director had more vision in him that just flashing light sabers and space operas. The film may not look artistic but the effortless showing of Vintage Americana clearly showed the director's talent and clear vision and I believe even the late "Wolfman Jack" would agree.


Grade: A