American Graffiti (1973)

Directed by George Lucas. Starring Paul Le Mat, Richard Dreyfuss, Charles Martin Smith, Ron Howard, Cindy Williams, Mackenzie Phillips, Candy Clark, Bo Hopkins, Harrison Ford, Robert “Wolfman Jack” Smith, Lynne Marie Stuart, Deby Celiz, Kathleen Quinlan. [PG]

It’s 1962, the kids cruising the strip in Modesto, CA are on the brink of adulthood, and the world around them is on the brink of a social and political upheaval; innocence is about to be lost forever, but at least they’ve still got Wolfman Jack on the radio. Entertaining, affectionate mosaic of periodically intertwining storylines covering a single night to remember (and the morning after) is about as potent a nostalgia trip as any other single movie ever made, but any generation can relate to its universal themes. Well-acted by a cast full of rising and future stars. Screenplay by Willard Huyck, Gloria Katz, and Lucas; produced by Francis Ford Coppola. Great tunes from the era play throughout, though it’s a shame that there aren’t more unexpected gems among the raft of golden oldies. In a bit part, Suzanne Somers plays Dreyfuss’ briefly-glimpsed dream girl.

90/100