| Truly wonderful |
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| written by DLeonard |
September 18, 2002 - 11:42 AM PDT |
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6 out of 6 members found this review helpful
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After counting all his money and awards and listing various technical advances, George Lucas can offer one artisitic achievement; American Graffiti. No other film so deftly captures the emerging suburban youth culture that became the baby boomers, which continues to guide and influence our country's path. If you have a parent or relative in or around their 60's, most likely they identify with this film. I know my parents do.
Lucas follows the neo-realism style so prevelent in late 60's early 70's cinema, and uses it to great effect as he tells the story of several California teens through the course of a day. Nothing seems staged, forced or unrealistic as paths criss-cross and events influence decisions. Some of the conflicts may feel cliched, like Richard Dreyfuss's uncertainty over his future, but really Lucas was charting new territory. Even the constant pop music soundtrack, used as a kind of a Greek chorus here, was a fresh idea. It's only in retrospect that we feel we've seen it all before.
Two things make this film an absolute treasure, actually three things. 1. The fact that this was made by Mr. Star Wars 2. The stellar cast who at the time were all unknowns (except veteran Ron Howard). 3. Lucas's fine blend of nostalgia and critical eye. Obviously he has a fondness for these people, but he's only too aware of the limitations they often place on themselves and their futures.
As much as I enjoy Star Wars, I'll always lament the filmmaker that could have been had Star Wars not taken over his life, the guy who made this American classic. |
| Oh Please |
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| written by marcxxx12 |
September 17, 2002 - 2:08 PM PDT |
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3 out of 11 members found this review helpful
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| What a boring film! You know, if you dream of being in the stereotypical cliché of the fiftys do-whop posterart lifestyle this may be the film for you. If not, you've seen this all before in Grease or in countless other incarnations. Save your rental space and get something more interesting! |
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