MovieChat Forums > American Graffiti (1973) Discussion > Why doesn't this movie get more respect?

Why doesn't this movie get more respect?

posted 8 years ago by jerryco99
15 replies | jump to latest

When I see a list of the greatest movies ever made American Graffiti is never on that list. Now granted it's no Citizen Kane but it's a great movie and it is totally worthy to be on these types of lists. Except for people who maybe grew up with that era (1962)and the era when the movie came out (1973) no one ever talks about it. It sure left an impression on me and my friends. I saw it as a 13 year old in 1973 and it is indelibly burned into my mind now. It sure resonated with me.

[–] Sidha108 (2425) 7 months ago

Some modern audiences see this just as “the movie Lucas made before Star Wars” as if anything that came before doesn’t matter in his filmography. Also there is a lack of appreciation for oldies music nowadays and this film is essentially “Classic Hits: The Movie,” so a lot of young people might be turned off by it just because of its soundtrack much like how some people won’t watch a classic movie just because it’s in black-and-white. Also the film seems to speak to the generation who came of age in the 1960s, much like films such as The Big Chill seem to be popular for one generation of audiences but not others. I personally think though that American Graffiti is one of the greatest films of all time and recreates the look and feel of the 1960s like you are actually there.