Even though I grew up in and was born in the late 90's, I really am an 80's kid. I have sat through many films from the 80's and also listen to 80's music a lot. Even though American Graffiti is set in the 60's and made in the 70's, it is close enough to the 80's for me that I might like it. It has a lot of car stuff and kind of a silly plot and music that I have never been into and in the end, I kind of liked the movie . I know and appreciate that this movie really turned Francis Ford Coppola and George Lucas into what they are today.
Again set in the 60's, the film centers around a bunch California kids on their last day before college who spend the day causing trouble, hanging out with friends and then a night of partying. It is a very silly plot that you would never see now but it is original and works pretty well for what they the filmmakers are trying to do.
The one thing that keeps this film in line is no doubt the characters and actors. It has a good young cast with Harrison Ford in particular putting in a really good performance. There is also a nerd character named Terri ( Charles Martin Smith) who provides a lot of good laughs and brings a heart and a good message to the film. The characters really make this film.
That said, the characters don't really seem to do much. For the most, you really only see them driving around which might not be a great plot element. This also doesn't help develop the characters or make them feel real.
The film really started to drag for me in the third act. It seemed to go on and on with no ending in sight. I don't think that George Lucas knew how to end this movie and it does have a big effect on the film for all the wrong reasons.
I don't love American Graffiti like a lot of people do and it is not a classic to me but it is a good take on the 60's. Considering that the time period of this film is not up my alley, I am surprised how much I liked it.
4/5
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