Saturday, September 12, 2015

American Graffiti (1973)

Director: George Lucas

Writers: George Lucas, Gloria Katz, Willard Huyck

Starring: Richard Dreyfuss, Ron Howard, Paul Le Mat, Charles Martin Smith, Cindy Williams, Candy Clark, Mackenzie Phillips, Wolfman Jack, Bo Hopkins, Manuel Padilla Jr., Beau Gentry, Harrison Ford, Joe Spano, Suzanne Somers

More info: IMDb

Tagline: Where were you in '62?

Plot: A couple of high school grads spend one final night cruising the strip with their buddies before they go off to college.



My rating:9/10

Will I watch it again? Yes.

Who would've thought that the genius behind STAR WARS (1977) made this picture just a few years before?  I think I've seen this flick about ten times in the last 35+ years and it never gets old.  In fact, it's still just as comforting as it ever was. Besides the great classic song soundtrack, INCREDIBLE cast (courtesy of casting directors Mike Fenton and Fred Ross) and gorgeous cars, I'm really taken with the pacing and organic nature of the storytelling.  It all takes place over the course of one night and it feels genuine.  These people aren't acting, they're living and recreating experiences.  I was a few years away from existence when this film takes place but I feel like I'm one of their pals hanging out and having fun just the same.  I only saw the sequel once in the early 80s and that was just to see Harrison Ford's bit part.  I need to give that one a spin now.

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