Saturday, April 19, 2025

Moviw Review: ****American Graffiti (1973)

 This movie was written and directed by George Lucas.  This movie is ripe with future stars.  Richard Dreyfuss portrays Curt, who is suppose to fly to college in the east the next morning, but is wondering if he should go.  Ron Howard portrays Steve, who is planning to attend college with Curt.  Cindy Williams plays Laurie, his girlfriend.  She is torn about Steve's leaving and when he says they should date others it is even worse, and starts an argument that lasts through the night.  Paul Le Mat portrays John, who is the number one street racer.  Charles Martin Smith plays Terry "the toad" who is a bit of a nerd driving a moped.  However Steve gives him his wheels while he goes to school, and through the car he meets Debbie (Candy Clark) who is a bit of a rebel and wants Terry to get some hard alcohol.  Mackenzie Phillips plays Carol who ends up palling with John for the night despite being younger than he.  They end up having a good time despite John's efforts to be cool and not to b e seen with a younger girl.  Lastly Bob Falfa (Harrison Ford) meets up with John and challenges him to a race.  

An interesting side story is Curt's trying to meet a girl he sees and falls for madly.  He looks for her all night, but is unab le to find her.  He finally resorts to the disc jockey (Wolf Man Jack) and asks him to have her call.  Which she does, just as he has decided to leave and go to school.  He never gets her name.

Laurie is in Bob Falfa's car for the race as a result of her argument with Steve.  She asks he let her out, but he refuses.  They race and Bob Falfa is starting to overtake John when Bob's car pops a tire and he rolls the vehicle.  Steve had heard about the race, and went to intervene.  He is able to get her out of the car before it bursts into flames.  Bob Falfa also escapes.  They profess their love, and decide to stay together in Modesto rather than Steve's going to school.  The next morning it is Curt who goes to school and Steve who stays.  

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