Richard Dreyfuss, Ron Howard, Paul Le Mat

A summer night in 1962 becomes the focal point in the lives of four small town California teenagers as they face decisions, both immediate and long term, about the directions of their lives. Steve, wa...( read more  read more... )nts to break up with Laurie, his devoted high school sweetheart and pursue new experiences away from home. Curt, is hesitant about going away to school and leaving the comfortable, familiar surroundings of family and friends. John, tries to maintain his too cool for school image as a hip guy, but can't seem to shake a nagging awareness that life is somehow passing him by. Finally, there's Terry, the nerdy wannabe trying to fit in but who still manages to screw up. During the course of the evening, their individual stories intertwine and separate. By the next morning, their lives will be changed, some only temporarily and some for a lifetime.

Flixster Users

78% liked it

54,021 ratings

Critics

97% liked it

32 critics

PG, 1 hr. 50 min.

Directed by: George Lucas

Release Date: August 1, 1973

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DVD Release Date: September 15, 1998

Stats: 2,461 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (2,461)


  • January 3, 2009
    Great coming of age tale...kinda slept through part of it.
  • September 6, 2008
    A very cool film set in the 50's with some cool car's of the time. A good coming of age drama.
  • August 30, 2008
    Good movie! It was fun to see a movie that didn't have to have bad language or sex in it to be a hit. Lots of stars too!
  • August 6, 2008
    It was an okay film.
  • May 16, 2008
    "We're finally getting out of this turkey town, and now you wanna crawl back into your cell, right? You wanna end up like John? You just can't stay seventeen forever."


    All and sundry can recollect a teen flick that reflects accuracy in its depiction of the existing t

    ...( read more)een generation. American Graffiti was made during the 1970s but was set in the 1960s as we scrutinize the lives of the youths from the period. When this film was initially released George Lucas hadn't yet made a name for himself. For those of you familiar with Star Wars you will never recognise that this is actually George Lucas grasping the reigns.


    Although American Graffiti was made several decades ago, very little of its influence and poignancy has degenerated. In fact this is still one of the greatest teen films ever made. Even if filmmakers used contemporary technology and was given a large budget, nothing would come close to the atmosphere or the accuracy of George Lucas' classic film gem. With this film Lucas proved that he was able to create an outstanding film on time and on budget (the film costed exactly $777,777.77 to make).


    American Graffiti was released with the tagline "Where were you in '62?" and, logically enough, is set in 1962. This year was on the eve of the loss of American innocence - marginally preceding Kennedy's assassination and the Vietnam War. The focal characters of this comedy/drama movie are a group of high school graduates who spend their last night in town before heading off to college in the morning. We follow their exploits throughout the entire night as they cruise around town while listening to popular radio personality Wolfman Jack.


    In creating American Graffiti Lucas learned a number of valuable lessons about filmmaking that proved useful when he went on to create the Star Wars movies several years later. Star Wars fans should be grateful of this film's existence.


    With this film, Lucas has created the essential addition to the coming-of-age genre. These teenagers have to overcome hindrances to accomplish the shared objective of reaching adulthood. They cope with the predestined bereavement of innocence and their apprehension towards change. American Graffiti is not only a wonderful piece of entertainment even in this era of cinema, but it also marks a historical milestone in filmmaking and one of the most accurate non-Hollywood portrayals of the era it is representing.


    The film also launched the careers of several people; Harrison Ford's acting career, Ron Howard's acting + directing career, Richard Dreyfuss' acting career, and of course George Lucas' versatile career in the industry. The central characters of this film are filled by Ron Howard and Richard Dreyfuss. This was far before any of them become famous and much-loved actors.


    Because it has been several decades after American Graffiti first hit cinemas people always wonder what the appeal is for this classic. To address this query you can only watch the film. Honestly, you cannot describe the film's appeal using words. Needless to say it's an enthralling film with interesting characters and an intriguing plot.


    It's a landmark in cinema and catapulted those involved to almost immediate stardom. Within the script you'll find outstanding humour, clever dialogue, hilarious situations and a suitable 1960s setting.


    George Lucas purposely used a number of outtakes (including fluffed lines and actions done incorrectly) to create more of a realistic effect...and of course for the sake of an on-set laugh. American Graffiti embodies all the qualities of life as a teenager during the '60s. This doesn't focus on the parties, drugs and alcohol: instead it's a story about the fun that teenagers can have with a set of wheels and some interesting people. This is truly one of the most important films in cinematic history. Followed by More American Graffiti.
  • November 21, 2009
    Over the course of one hot, summer night, four teenagers are forced to deal with issues that will affect the rest of their lives. Steve (played by Ron Howard) and Curt (played by Richard Dreyfuss) debate leaving the small town to go to college. Milner (Paul Le Mat) wants to stay ...( read more)and keep his position as king of the road. And all Toad (played by Charles Martin Smith) wants to do is get drunk and laid; foreign soil for the young and inexperienced kid. Together they cruise the streets of Modesto, California for the last time as a group.
  • November 20, 2009
    A great anthology of teenage life in the 60s. It has a lot of great early performances from now well known actors. The cinematic style is amazing and puts you into a suspension of disbelief. While I feel that the individual stories never closed properly, it wasn't bothersome to t...( read more)he overall plot.
  • November 6, 2009
    Although Harrison Ford only appears in a few minutes at the last part of the movie but he made the story interesting and fun....
  • November 3, 2009
    I don't know how Americans lead a life in this period, so I couldn't share any feeling from this movie.
  • September 18, 2009
    This one is a classic, and a total party. George Lucas showed a lot of talent when directing this film. One of the most fun and entertaining films that your parents will never forget. Amazing songs also.

    80/100

Critic Reviews


October 23, 2004
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

American Graffiti acts almost as a milestone to show us how far (and in many cases how tragically) we have come. full review

View more American Graffiti reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments


  • ilovetheeightiesforever
    May 6, 2009
    THIS IS MY ALL TIME MOST FAV MOVIE EVER!!!!!!!!! I love the cars, I love the music and I love how kewl this movie was and made me feel watching it. I wish I could have been a teenager back in the 60's. They had the best cars and the best music back then!!!!!!!!!!
  • bluejays86rock
    January 20, 2008
    I LOVE this movie, I always have and always will 4ever!!! I have 3 copies of it plus 4 copies of it that I recorded on the VCR when it was on cable tv. I love everything about this classic movie: the music, the girls, the fun times of cruising the strip and the cars too. I wish they would have made a much better More American Graffiti, the second part to the classic American Graffiti wasn't very good at all!!!!!!!!!
  • markggroesbeck
    October 25, 2007
    If you're an American Graffiti fan like me, you'll enjoy KIP PULLMAN'S AMERICAN GRAFFITI WEBSITE dedicated to the film:
    www.geocities.com/kippullman
  • tone143
    September 4, 2007
    Having seen this classic about 12 times,it really hit me to what extent Francis Coppola was involved,not just as producer,but as far as having had a hand in the directing itself.I'd go so far as to say he deserved a co-directing credit,but maybe I'm off?
  • rayman0071
    May 4, 2007
    Who can remember this film hitting theatres during the summer of 1973? This was in fact George Lucas' bonafide hit before "Star Wars" and it was just about having fun,being a teenager and cruising during the early 1960's.
    The soundtrack to this movie is impressive which included tracks from some of the greatest artists of that decade(from the 1950's and early 1960's). In this picture,you have a cast of talent which includes Richard Dreyfuss,Harrison Ford,Paul LeMat,Ronnie Howard,Charles Martin Smith,Cindy Williams,
    Mackenzie Phillips,Suzanne Somers,Candy Clarke and the great Wolfman Jack!!! Classic screenplay written by Francis Ford Coppula and George Lucas. A Grand Classic from the 70's!!!
  • r3gorman
    February 16, 2007
    this is a classic film take u back to a time that would be gd to bein today love it

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American Graffiti Trivia


  • This George Lucas movie has the tagline: "Where were you in '62?"  Answer »
  • Which movie was not directed by Stephen Spielberg?  Answer »
  • What was the name of the gang that took Curt for a ride because Curt sat on Gils car in the movie 'American Graffiti'?  Answer »
  • This classic American film gave new life to old fads and music, and was the launching pad for several people's careers, not the least of which included director George Lucas.  Answer »

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