Friday, December 07, 2007

American Graffiti

Where were you in '62? goes the tagline. A movie on growing up pains in the 60s that was made in the 70s. Directed by George Lucas, and produced by Francis Ford Coppola, the story was inspired by George Lucas' teenage years. As is typical of such movies, a bunch of friends are trying to figure out their future before the night finishes - one of them wants to leave town for college, the other doesnot want to leave, the third just wants to live his life being the finest drag racer in town and the fourth is just happy that he has been loaned a new car. With a fine bunch of young actors (Richard Dreyfuss, Ron Howard) the story moves slowly sideways. Heard the movie is considered some kind of American classic - just as 'Catcher in the rye' is I suppose. Which is understandable, but personally there was some element of fatigue - having seen many of such existential 60s movies in the past. Just as I would if I were to put on a DVD on vietnam or the holocaust.

Harrison Ford appears in the end as a rogue drag racer. Finishes in the dump, but only to emerge in the next George Lucas film as Han Solo.

Rating: * * +

1 comment:

Rama Rama said...

I liked the flick too. Check out "Dazed and Confused" and "There goes my baby" which are along similar lines.