American Graffiti (American Graffiti (DVD))

Member Name: adambrown400

Product:	American Graffiti (DVD)
Date:	28/08/08 (18 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Good soundtrack

Disadvantages: poor script

American Grafitti is a film that I had heard about for a long time, but never actually got around to watching. It was the film that introduced us to George Lucas, the man who would go on to deliver us the Star Wars saga.

The film is basically a nostalgia movie for people who lived in similar towns, led similar lives, listened to similar music and drove similar cars. That said theres also a lot to enjoy if you didn't do any of those things.

Theres certainly an element of 'rose tinted spectacles' about the film. It is what it is, nothing more, nothing less and not a huge amount happenes really.

The film introduces us to several characters all around 18 years old who are friends. Richard Dreyfuss ( looking incredibly young ) and Ron Howard (Happy Days and future director) are the main players. Dreyfuss is deciding whether to go to college the next day or stay in this small town with his friends. Ron Howard is in a similar position, should he go to college or stay with his girlfriend.

There are some quite good comic elements to the film, but really theres nothing much of a plot to speak of. The actors are all passable, but not outstanding. Harrison Ford also pops up as the owner of a fast car who wants to race the town's best car driver.

There are several problems here through. Lucas' direction has always been about style over substance. He has got an eye for detail and the recreation of the American town is flawless. However the script is poor and some of the bit-players are a bit poor also.

I thoroughly reccommend reading the book 'Easy Riders, Raging Bulls' that chronicles the new breed of directors in the 70's. Coppola, Spielberg and Lucas all had made excellent block-busters around this time and later on in the decade. Its also inetersting to read how Lucas was like a little pet to Coppola during the early part of the 70's before Star Wars.

American Graffiti is OK, but I only watched it out curiosity.

Summary: A decent effort from Lucas