American Graffiti - A True Classic

What's one of the greatest cultural films you've ever scene? Perhaps The Breakfast Club is one that many people have seen and enjoyed. It's one of the greatest movies John Hughes ever produced, and kickstarted the careers of Emilio Estevez, Molly Ringwald, Judd Nelson, and Anthony Michael Hall. But think further back. The Breakfast Club was the definitive cultural film of the 80's, but think back eve further. The 70's had Grease, a musical that also defined a generation of teen kids who were just goin off to college and beginning their lives. But even further back, there was the 60's. American Graffiti is the prime example of 60's teenage life, despite the fact it was made in 1973.

Paul Le Mat as John Milner, with the legendary '32 Ford Coupe

American Graffiti is one of my favorite movies of all time, and it, like many other teen culture films, started the careers of future big-name actors and directors. The acting careers of Richard Dreyfuss, Ron Howard, and Harrison Ford got their big-time start here. Wanna know what's even funnier? The director of the movie was none other than the Star Wars man himself, George Lucas. Yes, that's right. Pre-Star Wars George Lucas teamed with another big-time up and comer Francis Ford Coppola to bring us American Graffiti. Graffiti is truly considered the starting point for many people's careers, and the focal point of the '60s.

The characters in this movie represent what normal teenage life was like to the very focal point. Richard Dreyfuss plays Curt Henderson, a recent graduate and he remains unsure of his future, undecided whether or not he wants to attend college. While deciding, he walks around his old stomping grounds of his high school, his town, and even a dark radio station where he discovers the legendary disc jockey Wolfman Jack is playing. He is joined by his sister Laurie Henderson, played by Cindy Williams, and her boyfriend Steve Bolander, played by Ron Howard (credited as "Ronny Howard"). Their unsure of their future as a couple since Steve is college bound and Laurie will still be high school. Things aren't any better off when Steve suggests seeing other people while he's away. 

Ron "Ronny" Howard as Steve Bolander

There's Terry "The Toad" Fields played by Charles Martin Smith, the nerdy, indoorsy member of the group. Toad has a reputation for being a complete pushover and letting people walk all over him. That is, until he meets Debbie, a loner who is hit on by every guy that sees her. Debbie however, has a liking to Toad because Toad told her that his nickname was "Terry the Tiger" and played himself as a big shot. But the character that steals the show is John Milner, played by Paul Le Mat. Milner is the "greaser" and absolutely refuses to leave the town to go to college, either because he is afraid or really didn't get into any colleges. Milner is the "hot shot" street racer that never has been beat. That is, until he gets chased around town by Bob Falfa, played by Harrison Ford. Falfa drives his suped up 1955 Chevrolet to try and finally beat Milner's  1932 Ford Coupe with that iconic yellow shade.

Richard Dreyfuss as Curt Henderson

With all the storylines, from Steve and Laurie's straining relationship and Curt's desire to have a girl that he has been chasing around town, to Milner's unwanted teenybopper passenger Carol and Toad's attempts to land a girlfriend and finally lose his virginity. It all comes to the climax where Milner's '32 Ford Coupe takes on Falfa's '55 Chevy after Laurie jumps into Falfa's car, forcing John, Toad, and Steve to face Milner on Paradise Road. I won't spoil how the movie ends, but its an excellent ending.

The soundtrack to the movie is just as excellent and flawless as its cinematography. The soundtrack includes "The Beach Boys", "Flash Cadillac", "Chuck Berry", "Del Shannon" amongst other classic '50s and '60s hit acts. The soundtrack is just dynamite, and its sounds excellent on surround sound speakers. I love it and I can't get enough of it. The movie ends with text that explains that Steve is an insurance agent living in California, Curt is a writer living in Canada, John was killed by a drunk driver in '64, and Toad was reported MIA in Vietnam. For some reason it doesn't reveal what happened to Laurie or Bob.

Harrison Ford as Bob Falfa

The movie spawned an unwanted sequel if you ask me, "More American Graffiti". It once again starts Dreyfuss, Howard, Le Mat, Williams, and Smith in their original roles. It was seen as a bit of killjoy, as the movie depicts Milner's death, Toad's disappearance, and Laurie and Steve's marriage. It even includes Harrison Ford again as "Officer" Bob Falfa. By now, Star Wars had already been out; The Empire Strikes Back and Raiders of the Lost Ark were already in production, so it was a big deal when Ford made this appearance. 

American Graffiti was a dynamite movie, and still is to this day. It is thoroughly enjoyed by crowds, especially teens today. Myself, as a young adult, still enjoy it and love watching the characters interact with one another. It's always a fun film and I sincerely recommend it to anybody who's wanting a fun movie. I love this movie, I love the characters, I love the cars, the music; everything about it is really cool and fun.