American Graffiti (1973)

Co-produced by Francis Ford Coppola, this nostalgic film directed and co-written by George Lucas offers a slice of Americana in the early 60's with a cast that features many young actors & actresses soon to make names for themselves as well as an authentic soundtrack. It's a coming of age film that won't fail to please and will more likely make one yearn for the good ole days, if they were ever really this fun and full of innocence;-)

Ron Howard and Cindy Williams play high school sweethearts experiencing the first turmoil in their relationship as the summer before he leaves for college comes to an end, which is further complicated by the time he spends with his friends and her need to feel independent. Richard Dreyfuss plays her brother, one of Howard's friends who's also college bound, but also one who's found a sense of belonging with a couple of "hoods" (one is Bo Hopkins). Paul Le Mat plays the man among boys, a dropout with the fastest car and the soft heart inside his tough exterior. He befriends an awkward teen Mackenzie Phillips. Harrison Ford plays a fast car challenger who gives Williams a ride, Suzanne Somers an elusive beauty in a T-bird that's tickled Dreyfuss's imagination, as the strip becomes the evening hangout, the place to see & be seen and/or stage teenage pranks. Charles Martin Smith plays the nerd, a little runt also befriended by Le Mat's character. Smith falls for the pretty, yet thought unattainable Candy Clark, who becomes his first "score" & received her only Oscar nomination (Best Supporting Actress). Future Oscar nominee Kathleen Quinlan (Apollo 13 (1995)) also appears, as does Wolfman Jack, as himself.

The film received Oscar nominations for Best Picture (Coppola and Gary Kurtz, Star Wars (1977)), Director (Lucas), Writing (Lucas and two others), and Editing. It was added to the National Film Registry in 1995, and is #77 on AFI’s 100 Greatest Movies list, as well as #43 on AFI’s 100 Funniest Movies list.

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