Rate It
|
||||||||||||||||
Rating Averages
My Friends |
Not rated. () |
|
|
|---|---|---|---|
All Flixster |
(19872) |
9206 |
19971 |
Female |
(11001) |
5096 |
11055 |
Male |
(8871) |
4110 |
8916 |
More Like This
If you liked this, then you'll also probably like...
Got another recommendation for someone who liked this movie? Add it to the list!
Got an opinion? Use the buttons to vote on all the suggestions people have added.
If lots of people vote, the best suggestions will rise to the top.
| Superbad (51%) |
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Grease (46%) |
|
|
| Epic Movie (40%) |
|
|
| The Wanderers (100%) |
|
|
| Cooley High (100%) |
|
|
Plot:
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 
)
Meet Other Fans
ONLINE NOW
Recent Reviews
-
MCT:October 10, 2008Despite an excellent cast with some wonderful performances, this movie seemed more focused on getting as many 60s songs in as possible, often to the detriment of the overall pace of the story. Too often the plot just wasn't going anywhere, and just kept circling the block. Lucas didn't really have anything to say here, other than to resurrect a little of the 60s.
-
MCT:September 7, 2008WORTH WATCHING.......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 )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.
-
MCT:July 27, 2008
not much happens here, but it's still very fun and quite humorous. good ensemble cast, and awesome music :) only the title card at the very, very end seems tacky and unnecessarily sad.
-
MCT:July 8, 2008brilliant...excellent story and very good performances..needless to say..this is a classic..one of the all-time greats..memorable and a great soundtrack...a must see before Lucas lost his way with the "dark side'
-
MCT:June 30, 2008
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.
84/100 -
MCT:June 27, 2008There was no plot. It was hard to get to know and like the characters. Nothing really happened in this movie. I like Dazed and Confused way better.
-
MCT:June 15, 2008A funny trip back to the car hop, sock hop, Wolfman Jack kind of magical era of the 50's where not everyone's lives were as simple and easy as you'd think. GREAT MOVIE.
-
MCT:June 14, 2008
A great feel-good movie. It captures the soul of the early '60s wonderfully. I mean, I guess so anyway.
-
MCT:June 9, 2008
American Graffiti is a moving, heartfelt classic that shall always be remembered. It's one of my favorite coming of age movies. Everybody is fantastic in their roles, and George Lucas does an excellent job directing. I would tell any teenager to watch this movie.
-
MCT:May 25, 2008
before starwars george lucas directed thx 1138 and thi sslice of nostalgia, showing lucas with great potential as a director, a young ron howard, and richard dreyfuss are high school kids on there last night before they al go off on there seperate ways, a night on the town, in 1960s california. lucas shoots with a great eye for that time period, a car enthusiast from a young age comes across in this fim, as they spend there time cruzing the town, great soundtrack too, many classics, the story is fun, and is a joy, lots of laughs and serious moments, watch out too for harrison ford in a great supporting role, driving round in his vintage car, really looks like hes prepring for his stint behind wheel of millenium falcon, a classic film from the 70s, and proves maybe lucas does have more to him than starwars, and could direct some decent material
-
MCT: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 teen 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. -
MCT:May 13, 2008
George Lucas made this? Talk about being in a galaxy far far away from anything even remotely resembling Star Wars. Well, part from the fact that a very young Harrison Ford does a minor role here, which is pretty cool in itself. He looked a bit out of place though without a wookie at his side or a brimmed felt hat on his head. But no wonder really, as this was years before he had his major breakthrough as an actor.
At any rate, this movie is truly the kind that defines the generation it portrays, which in this case would be the teen culture of the 1960's. For that reason alone it was very interesting to watch, even though I prefer the more raunchy and open-hearted type of teen comedies, like American Pie or Fast Times at Ridgemont High, which I find a bit easier to relate to.
So is this movie worth your time? Well, if you ask me, the answer is yes, regardless of the fact that one of my all-time favourite directors happened to be behind the camera. Because altough I can't say I loved it, it was definitely a movie I found good enough to have deserved its title as a classic. One I'm sure also works as a wonderfully nostalgic trip for those who were there and experienced the era in person. -
MCT:May 4, 2008
ermmn ive seen most of this movie but not yet all of it because ive been busy :P:L..from what i saw of this movie i thought that its was ok 2 watch...i think that george lucas had done a good job of directing this movie (this was released way before he hit the big time with the star wars saga movies which ive seen but i cant remember them)..this was ok i guess this is an ok Drama, Comedy movie i think but its lasts for way to long n some things should have been cut out but i think its ok 2 watch its nothing special
-
MCT:April 26, 2008
A classic that still works to this day. The cast is loaded and all the stories involved are pretty good.
-
MCT:April 22, 2008
This movie is seriously.... the best! There is nothing wrong with it to me. Oh gosh I love it so much!
-
MCT:March 26, 2008
I really do belong in '62.
p.s. George Lucas, why can't you do another low budget film that doesn't feature aliens in it? -
MCT:March 7, 2008
Formula that Dazed and Confused used to focus on the lives of different teenagers during one evening. Good film, the music was probably better in Dazed and Confused but the early 60's vibe is like candy.
-
MCT:March 5, 2008
I can't BELIEVE I waited this long to see it. What happened to the guy who made this movie? Where did he go? I refuse to believe that the man responsible for capturing the lives of these characters so vividly and eliciting arguably four career-making performances would go on to direct some of the most wooden performances of all time. This is like 70's American movie fan candy. Harrison Ford and Richard Dreyfuss completely rule in this film.
-
MCT:February 10, 2008
This film is roughly seven years older than I am, and yet everytime I sit down to watch it, I get this nostalgic tingle, as if I actually exprienced summer nights just like the one depicted in "American Graffiti". George Lucas, in his pre-Star Wars days, chose to follow up his impressive debut "THX-1138" by creating a film that personified his love for 50's culture. Throughout one night in the summer of '62, we follow several groups of friends and lovers enjoying their last few moments of freedom before the turmoil of adulthood sets in. This movie gives us an interesting glimpse into the careers of actors like Harrison Ford and Richard Dreyfuss when they were still 'wetbacks' and a few years away from scoring their career-changing roles. Lucas' inability to write strong dialogue is present, and there are moments when the plot seems to drag us from one situation to another, but Lucas' was always a more visual director, and his use of authentic 'suicide machines' (to quote Springsteen) and handy camera work makes the audience feel like they're right on the screen, along for the ride. As an extra treat, watch for a scene between Richard Dreyfuss and Wolfman Jack later on in the film (one of my favorite moments in any film). There are no huge life-affirming revelations in this film, but that's not what summer nights are for; they're for cruising with your girl or best friends, with no cares or worries about where life is going to take you tomorrow.
-
MCT:February 5, 2008
i love the music and the cars in this movie, i also love the actors who were in it. This is a great movie, I loved it and always will love it.
-
MCT:February 4, 2008
George Lucas' greatest film, and also one of the best Independent Films ever! An excellent ensemble cast, great music, writing and direction make this one of the best nostalgic movies. Walter Murch provided revolutionary sound design and Haskell Wexler helped create the pitch-perfect cinematography. A meloncholy epilogue gives the film that unique 70's signature.
-
MCT:January 24, 2008
From now on, when I think of the word 'film-making', I will think of American Graffiti. George Lucas truly encapsulated what it was to be young and in love and to cruise through life in the 60s. What fun it must have been to grow up in those days. I almost wish I was one of the characters so that I can be in one of those cars. It is refreshing...you know when your hair is wet and you turn on your fan? that's the kind of sensation I got from this movie. It was liberating just watching them "chillin' out, maxin' relaxin' all cool."
-
MCT:January 7, 2008
what a time to be alive...a very simple film about living, loving, and growing up. George Lucas touches home with all generations with a true American high school nostalgia flick. carefree and funny, but well-rounded at the end bringing it all into perspective. classic cars, classic tunes, and a classic American movie.
My Friends Said...
American Graffiti Recent Reviews
Register or sign-in to see your friends' reviews !
Comments
-
bluejays86rockposted 266 days ago -
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/kippullmanposted 353 days ago -
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?
posted 404 days ago -
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!!!posted 527 days ago -
this is a classic film take u back to a time that would be gd to bein today love it
posted 603 days ago
