Is American Graffiti the Best Coming-of-Age Movie You’ve Never Seen?

Still from American Graffiti (1973)

American Graffiti, a Universal Pictures production from 1973, directed by George Lucas, isn’t just a movie; it’s a time capsule. It perfectly encapsulates that feeling of late-summer anxiety and excitement that comes with the end of high school and the cusp of adulthood. The film follows a group of teenagers during their last night of summer in 1962 Modesto, California, and it’s a relatable and bittersweet experience even today.

The movie weaves together several storylines, each with its own flavor of youthful angst. We have Curt Henderson, played by Richard Dreyfuss, who is grappling with whether to leave his hometown for college. His friend, Steve Bolander, portrayed by Ron Howard, is also facing a big change as he prepares to go away to school, with his girlfriend, Laurie Henderson, played by Cindy Williams, unsure if their relationship can survive the distance. Meanwhile, John Milner, played by Paul Le Mat, the cool local drag racer, is trying to maintain his position as king of the streets, and is challenged by a younger rival, Bob Falfa played by Harrison Ford. Lastly, there is Terry “The Toad” Fields, played by Charles Martin Smith, is in search of love and a bit of social status, with some predictably hilarious and awkward results.

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What’s striking about American Graffiti is its authenticity. It feels like a real slice of American life, a feeling heightened by the constant stream of 1950s and early 1960s rock and roll. The soundtrack isn’t just background music; it is another character in the movie, setting the mood for each scene and acting as a great way to connect with the era. Lucas manages to balance the youthful fun with a sense of the significant changes that are ahead for all these characters, making the movie a compelling watch. This creates a sense of wistful nostalgia and it is almost impossible not to be drawn in.

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Still from American Graffiti (1973)

American Graffiti isn’t a movie filled with elaborate special effects or huge set pieces. Its power lies in the smaller moments, the characters’ interactions, and the universal experience of growing up and leaving behind the safety of your youth. It is this very simplicity and emotional depth which keeps this movie engaging after all this time. It’s a movie that understands the significance of that transitional period between youth and adulthood. The movie manages to be both very specific to its time while also conveying the universal experience of saying goodbye to one stage of life and hello to the next. It’s a testament to Lucas’s storytelling ability that he was able to make a movie that is so specific but that is also broadly appealing and relatable.

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American Graffiti is a Universal Pictures production.
Release Date: 1973
Director: George Lucas
Cast: Richard Dreyfuss, Ron Howard, Cindy Williams, Paul Le Mat, Harrison Ford

Head of film reviews at The Viewers Guide with an erudite, insightful, slightly sardonic, deep appreciation for classic cinema. Has a habit of quoting obscure lines from old films in everyday conversation. He keeps a meticulously organized film logbook. He's a bit of a tea snob.