MovieChat Forums > American Graffiti (1973) Discussion > Dated?

Dated?

posted 9 years ago by lkay44
8 replies | jump to latest

Having just finished watching "American Graffiti" last night my thoughts are still fresh in the mind - first let it be said that I had high expectations for what is a critically acclaimed cult classic, and from a pre star wars Lucas, who was coming off the back of THX-1138.

That said, as much as I wanted dearly to enjoy this film, I really didn't... Perhaps that's a little strong as there were aspects I like: The set design and period feel was excellent, as was the soundtrack and by in large the performances were good, notably Richard Dreyfuss an Harrison Fords small role.

However I felt that the whole film lacks the real authenticity and realness of some of it's contemporary's in the teen genre - notabe the early kevin Smith and Linklater films, such as Dazed and Confused. For me the PG rating really held it back in its authentic feel, as I know it's supposed to be tapping in to the whole "Americas last age of innocence" feel but this was the early 60s, sure the psychedelic movement was still young but it all seems very nostalgic and through rose tinted glasses...

I respect what it done for the genre - and for the budget and period it was written in, it was an influential and critical success. However it feels all rather cheesy and family fun now compared to others in the genre - notable dazed and confused, i felt it was a much more accurate depiction of the same teenage issues or be it a decade later.

Anyway I'd like to hear you're thoughts, especially if you feel the same way...

[–] heyuactor 9 years ago

It may not seem real to you, as Dazed and Confused does, but it is a reasonably realistic depiction of an earlier era, before the assassination of JFK, and the drug culture, and the painful Vietnam War fiasco. It is a little too sweet to completely reflect the times, because a lot of people were suffering poverty and whatever, in America, but it was only about that year and that small town.

If you want to see a movie with no 'tinted glasses' and more realism, but yet cars, music and young people, try this:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0073941/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

"Did you make coffee? Make it!"--Cheyenne.

[–] lkay44 9 years ago

I totally understand - it captures an age of innocence that was still pure before the harsh, stark reality of the Vietnam war and psychedelia hit America.

In fact I actually watched an hour long making of documentary that was on my blu ray copy of the film and it gave me a deeper appreciation of the film - the issue wasn't that I didn't rate it, it was more that it's values and depiction of life seemed dated and rosey ( which you accurately addressed)

I guess it's just difficult to accept that in a few years American went from this to the American depicted in Easy rider (granted different states have different cultures) of which is set in the same decade. Interestingly, many could argue that easy rider is dated however I feel it's message and theme's are still relevant today and forever as man struggles for true freedom

...I'm getting a little stray I know, I guess I'm just trying to full understand why I didn't enjoy AG even though I respect and appreciate it

[–] alexkravchenko 8 years ago

I scarcely think so. This film never gets old for the likes of my taste.

[–] jkholman 8 years ago

IKay44,

you write well and think clearly, but you need to reconsider your labeling of this film.
American Graffiti is about a time that was only a decade old when captured on celluloid. It is about a time that is becoming as mythical as the American West [as captured on film]. AG is probably the closest we can get to seeing a film that is close to being contemporary for its story in early 1960s America.
As to Easy Rider - here was a film that was not only contemporary, but very hep (now that is a dated expression) when it premiered.
You have a point [somewhere], but relabel and restructure what you are saying.

hoping to hear from you,

JKHolman

[–] joekiddlouischama 8 years ago

The key to American Graffiti, in my opinion, is how the film ends—the denouement or postscript renders the film more haunting than "fun" and more realistic, in a broader and cosmic sense, than something like Dazed and Confused, which actually strikes me as more idle in the final analysis.

American Graffiti is ultimately a fatalistic film.

[–] liscarkat (17562) a year ago

"Dated"--a stupid criticism of almost any movie.

"American Graffiti" was released in 1973, and was set in the past--in 1962. It was intentionally dated, to reflect 1962, not 1973, and certainly not some time in the 21st century.

The movie did a great job of evoking what it was like to be a teenager out cruising on a summer night in the late '50s or early '60s. That's exactly what it was intended to do. Thankfully, it's dated--it authentically seems like 1962--and isn't anything like teen life in 2015 or 2023.

[–] vicky_lc2001@yahoo.com (1889) a year ago

Funny I don't like Kevin Smith or those films. They're ok but just boring for me. There's something faux or fake about it, I don't equate those films as anything close to authentic or realistic in any way, shape, or form.

[–] SandyR (8194) a year ago

It's probably difficult for anyone today to believe there was a time just sixty years ago that older teenagers could have older teenage concerns and not talk like toilets.