American Graffiti

Movie: American Graffiti (1973)

AFI List #77 on the 1998 list and 62 on the 2007 list.

My List #33

Starring: Ron Howard, Harrison Ford, Richard Dreyfuss and Cindy Williams.

My rating: ˜˜˜˜

Now this movie doesn't have really much of a gripping storyline or very much dialog, but it's a fun movie. It's a study of the cruising and rock and roll cultures. The movie features a group of teenagers and their adventures in a single night. Which includes dragging Main Street, going to a dance, and getting food at a drive-in diner. This was also one of Harrison Ford's first movies. And interesting Ron Howard almost didn't take this role because he was trying to break out of the whole "child actor" that he felt he was stuck in. But this actually really helped his career.

The story was written and directed by George Lucas and he said his inspiration was "Cruising was gone, and I felt compelled to document the whole experience and what my generation used as a way of meeting girls". Now, here's a confession on my part. I would have loved to lived during the 50s. And this movie just further supported my fascination with that era. The clothes, the dreams, ideals, etc. And the music...oh, the music.

I loved the music they used in the film. Instead of having a score written for this, George Lucas got permission from a bunch of producers then used 50s songs as the score. So, the music isn't random, the songs are helping to tell the story. And because they couldn't get the permission, Elvis Presley wasn't used at all, and will it's not noticeable while you're watching it, but when it's done, you notice the lack. But I could still sing along with all of them.

This movie was also the inspiration for the TV show Happy Days, which also stars Ron Howard and Cindy Williams. And I loved watching re-runs of Happy Days. Technically, I guess I still do.

So while it's not dialog heavy and not too exciting (it's cruisin' for one night for the entire film), it's a great study on teenage summer nights.