American Graffiti (1973) First Time Watching Reaction & Review
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- Опубліковано 20 лис 2020
- First time reaction and brief review of the movie "American Graffiti". Future Reaction Polls + Early Access Available on Patreon "UA-cam" levels: / alexachipman
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Oh wow, so refreshing to come across someone doing a reaction vid to a movie no one else is doing. This is a beautiful classic at that.
Let me know if there are any classic movies you love, I'm always looking for recommendations!
@@alexachipman Lol, I have a feeling you've probably seen them already, but, top of my head, I'd always go with Cinema Paradiso (NOT the director's cut).
Otherwise... some ole standbys... Remains of the Day, Shirley Valentine, Hot Fuzz, Stranger Than Fiction, 84 Charring Cross, Sense and Sensibility, Breaking Away, Coal Miners Daughter, Defending Your Life, Edge of Tomorrow, Fly Away Home, Jackie Brown, Layer Cake, Life of Pi, Rock n Rolla, Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, Tampopo, The Way, What We Do in the Shadows (pretty much everything by Taika Waititi; Hunt for the Wilderpeople, Jojo Rabbit, etc.), Bridget Jones Diary, Withnail and I, The Sting, Day of the Jackal (1973)...
@@chefskiss6179 Thanks!
@@alexachipman lol... Working Girl (1988)
;)
Exactly
One of my favorite movies of all time. Expert direction and cinematography all the way through and touching without being cloying or coy. You're in the time period right away through the music and the spatial architecture and achieve almost instant audience identification with all the lead characters. All this done very naturally and integrated easily into the plot. If only all movies were done with the sure touch of this one.
This film charmed me when it came out and still does because it is simply the most charming snapshot of that wonderful bygone era that I've ever watched. '62 was good easy times. How were any of them to know of the turbulent decade that lie ahead for them, and that nothing would stay like this. For us, the viewer, knowing what lies ahead for America, makes this innocent film all the more poiniant and nostalgic.
RIP Bo Hopkins.the Pharoahs will miss you.
When I first saw this movie, I recognized a lot of the locations used to film the movie. My aunt and uncle lived in northern part of Marin County near the Sonoma county border. Some of the places I recognized were Main St and Fourth St in San Rafael. The small airport scene towards the end of the movie was Gnoss field in Novato, just a few miles from where my aunt and uncle lived.
Love American Graffiti. American Graffiti 2 is great also. Expands on each persons life a few years later. Very good!
One of the many things I loved about this movie is that the characters exhibit an obvious caring for each other unlike in many "teen" movies that came after.
I love American Graffiti! Definitely one of the best films in the 1970s. Also the soundtrack is fantastic to listen to while studying or working.
One of the biggest differences in eras is that kids back then weren’t afraid of consequences.
The vignette approach to filmic storytelling is a lost art.
"American Graffiti" is a really good snapshot of the teen culture of the late '50s and early '60s - Rock 'n' Roll, classic cars, drag racing, drive-in restaurants, cruisin' for chicks, pulling pranks, street gangs, and trying to score (both sexually and with booze). As far as the sexist and racist stuff - remember it's a period piece. The period it's depicting was a racist and sexist era - it would have been unrealistic for the movie not to have some racism and sexism in it.
A small town in Silver City NM there is a weekend tradition of cruising as well. Alot of low-riders in attendance. You can sit at a sidewalk cafe and watch and/or interact with the folks in the car
@ 1:37 We called it "cruising" in the 70s. On weekends when there wasn't much to do we'd drive around with others driving around looking for... something. LOL! It was a way to meet up with fellow students, make new friends and just hang out. There was a place, a huge strip center with a large parking lot, where the cops and merchants would allow us to gather with our cars after hours on weekends. And the cops stationed there were friendly, hung with us some and fussed at us if we littered. It was a lot of fun. @ 7:42 Since you're a sci-fi fan, Wolfman starred in 'Galactic 1980' playing himself as well in one of the few decent episodes that poor show produced. A "moving car museum" is a good description of this movie. Nice movie choice here. ✌️😎
The relationship between John and Carol was so sweet. I loved the scene with Toad and Debbie fumbling in the car. Brought back fond memories.
I love how accurate and adorable all these teen romances are!
@@alexachipman what something you liked about the flim?
One of the greatest soundtrack albums ever.
In the late 70s in the town I lived in the weekends were full of cruisers. It was a freakin' blast.
Sounds awesome!
I got to sit in all those cars at the Carl Casper's custom auto show when I was a kid! We never missed this when it came on, fond memories!
That's amazing! If the world ever opens up again and we get to have the American Graffiiti weekend, I am so going to Petaluma for it this time!
Great catch on the Mando/Grogu comparison. I hadn’t thought about it before but I think you are right.
This the way most weekends in small towns went ,cruise around look for parts and girls and whatever mild adventure was about......
You're realization of the gearshift bit being replicated in The Mandalorian is spot on. You really got me with that.
Funny, I just watched an interview with Mackenzie Phillips where she mentioned she had been watching The Mandalorian on Disney+. She didn't get into a comparison of it to American Graffiti though.
I used to work in Petaluma. It's such a cool place! I lived in the next town to the north- Rohnert Park.
Nice! I have a locations tour video also on the channel that you might enjoy and recognize buildings from :)
This is a great film, it’s a movie that conveys a feeling of time and place that is rare in a film.
There was a sequel, “More American Graffiti” (1979) that was made about the 60’s. It’s even more disjointed, but it’s good.
Also it’s a New Years Eve movie.
Thanks, I'll check that out!
this is classic, focusing on the 50s , the birth of the modern teenager as we know it. "Cruising" up and down the strip so common as you show off your car and like you said, make bad choices.
Good reaction and great observation when it comes to the connection of this film with Baby Yoda.
The soundtrack to this movie was also my family's roadtrip soundtrack back in the day.
That sounds awesome!
Great reaction to a great classic. I love ensemble coming-of-age films. Dazed and Confused (set in 70s Austin, Texas) is also worth checking out.
Thank you!
I saw this movie at least 2 dozen times at the Drive In movie theater. We use to sneak in after the box office closed and watch the second showing. Great film that launched quite a few stars. The best known actor at the time this came out was Ron Howard. He was a TV star best known for Opie on the Andy Griffith show. Everyone else was pretty much unknown. . Cindy Williams went on to play in the Happy Days spinoff Laverne and Shirley. Charles Martin Smith who played Terry had great roles in Starman and The Untouchables. Then of course the blonde in the 57 white T-Bird was Suzanne Somers of Three's Company. Finally Harrison Ford and Richard Dreyfus went on to be huge stars.
That's fantastic! I went to my first drive-in movie last year, and it was a lot of fun!
@@alexachipman It's the one thing this generation has missed out on. When I was kid it was a regular family outing. We would make lots of popcorn at home filling large paper grocery bags and take it with us along with an ice-cooler with soft drinks. Us kids would play in the kids playground below the screen before the show. When the movie started we would watch the movie in director's chairs placed in front of the car while my parents occupied the car. When I was a teenager, I'd take girls to the Drive In and have makeout sessions.
@@nikolatesla5553 That sounds so fun! Maybe drive-ins will make a comeback at some point.
Also, Mackenzie Phillips went on to star in the sitcom One Day at a Time. This was the very first film she made. Candy Clark later had some roles in some cult films. Kathleen Quinlan and Debralee Scott had bit parts, and also went on to play more prominent roles.
The idea of going to a "gate" to get on a plane originated from going outside and literally walking through the gate in the chain link fence and out to your plane. That's what my hometown airport was like. The movie is a chronicle of what things were like in 1962, so the sexist and racist stuff isn't supposed to "age well."
I hadn't thought of that, it makes sense! My local airport you also board by walking out of the hangar and climbing up a ladder, so similar to the older style of boarding planes.
The cruise culture depicted in this film lasted up til the turn of the century. I was in high school in the late 90s and Friday/Saturday nights were always spent cruising up and down the strip in my local town, hanging out in parking lots with friends, etc. It was also not uncommon for us to park cars and ride with others because..well...we were still kids and money was tight.
Unfortunately, the advent of the Internet, social media, and cell phones are primarily what killed the cruise culture, because back in the day it was the only way we could socialize. Nowadays, kids can socialize without leaving the comfort of their homes.
Also, the constant music in the background is a reflection of the times when teenagers listened to the radio in their cars, at home, etc. If you look closely in the film, a song is only playing in scenes where a radio is nearby. For instance, when Toad & Debbie leave Steve's car by the creek, the music fades as they walk away from it.
You're right, I didn't notice that about the music, what a great touch! I love the attention to detail in this film.
I remember most of this age sitting at home in chat rooms. I guess the internet did cause cruise culture's demise!
One good thing about the lockdowns in my area - I never saw any neighborhood kids other than getting in and out of cars. Now they are all out on bikes cruising the block or outside playing in their yards!
@@alexachipman Great thing about being addicted to mountain biking - social distancing didn't disrupt my fun days 😁🚵♂️
@@sixstanger00 Same with hiking - I am grateful this area has so many trails!
You’re right, most of the movie was filmed in Petaluma, and the drag race scene was filmed on Frates Rd. on the south end of town.
Nice, I plan to do a vlog at some point going around Petaluma looking for locations.
@@alexachipman Neat. I live in Napa and I was eleven when this movie came out. My big brother took me to see it and during the race scene at the end I remember thinking, “that sure looks like that road that goes into Petaluma.” lol
Not only did this movie make it possible for Lucas to make Star Wars, but it inspired the "horny nerds" genre of Animal House, Porky's, Revenge of the Nerds. Animal House even parodied the scene at the end with the cards saying what happened to the characters later in life. John Hughes eventually morphed the "horny nerds" genre into something much closer to the original spirit of American Graffiti starting with Sixteen Candles. He was telling realistic stories about teenage life in the '80s. American Graffiti is like a John Hughes teen film set in the early '60s.
It is a great movie , not to mention the soundtrack. The 70s saw a revival of the 50s ( Grease, American Hot Wax, The Buddy Holly Story).
The film captures America in a period of transition. It takes place in 1962 and yet much of the fashion and look of the film is what we associate with the 50s. John Milner makes reference to this when he complains how rock and roll is changing and the strip is shrinking. He angrily turns off the Beach Boys and says rock and roll has been going down hill ever since Buddy Holly died.
The Beatles would appear on Ed Sullivan in less than a year and a half. Kennedy would be dead and Vietnam would take our innocence.
Also each of the main characters are based loosely on George Lucas during different phases in his life. He was a dorky freshman with glasses, He was a hot rod enthusiast, He was the serious guy with a girlfriend, he was unsure if he should go off to college.
Most of the events in the film sound like the kinds of tall tales friends tell each other about the crazy stunt some friend of friend did to so and so. For a guy who is cinematically minded, I can see where a young George would think, "It would be awesome if I could film some of these stories"
Beautifully said, thank you!
George had to tell Richard to stop hopping, like a lot!
My absolute favorite movie. I could and have watched it every day for days. I especially like Debbie, she's so damn cute. Also the relationship between John and Carol.
Debbie is adorable! I wish there had been more sequels.
My favorite scene toad and Debbie at the reservoir. Remember your first time, how awkward it was? Oh, get off my hair. And the stories of all of them. A beautiful story really. You got that right, it's about getting invested in the stories.
As an Ace I never had a first time, but I imagine it would be super awkward!
@@alexachipman Quick Question: How are the central characters introduced to us? What are some of the specific challenges posed to the central characters and how do they confront and overcome these challenges?
You do know that this movie was based on George Lucas and his friends when he was a teenager. He was a street racer and his car flipped during a race, and he ended up in the Hospital for three months. Then he decided to go to film school.
Yeah, the structure of this is more like a documentary, like we’re just following them around and seeing how their world is.
My parents met while cruising in the late 60’s in Iowa, and cars were something that fascinated them and a number of relations.
Also, if you look at it, John and Carol bantering in his deuce coupe is like a precursor to Han/Leia bickering in Star Wars.
@@80MWH I see it as Han and Luke bantering. Like when Luke asks "what's that flashing" and Han slaps his hand and scolds him, "Shut your mouth, kid, or you're going to find yourself floating home." Of course, if this movie was made in the Disney era of Lucasfilm, Carol would be teaching John how to drive and fix his car because he was somehow too stupid to figure it out.
Don't forget Petaluma also has the Butter and Egg Days Parade! Damn I know too much about Petaluma from watching *This Week in Tech* LOL
I lived in Petaluma for years and we only looked at Butter & Eggs Day as that time to stay home no matter what because downtown turns into utter madness. I went one year just to see what all the fuss was about.
I was once told George Lucas based Terry on the parts of himself that were awkward during his teenage years. The John Milner character allegedly represents how George Lucas saw himself after he got his first Hot Rod... until he crashed it, survived, and then went to film school.
And Dreyfuss was the George who went off to college. Also, Ron Howard was the George who his father wanted him to be, the kid who stayed home to work in his father's business.
I wholeheartedly recommend Lost in Translation (2003), if you haven't seen it yet. It's another great movie "without a plot".
Thanks! I saw it a few years back and enjoyed it!
They shot in both Petaluma and Modesto.
And Marin :)
I've got candy Clark autograph
Loved this film and the second one.
The second one is fantastic as well - beautifully done!
Another great movie that really doesn't have a plot, just teens hanging out and cruising/partying, is 1993's Dazed and Confused.
Thanks! I will add that to the list!
You are not reaching at all. They included elements from American Graffiti in The Mandalorian. American Graffiti is the movie that allowed George Lucas to Get Star Wars Greenlit.
This is one of my all-time favorite movies and I found it touching watching this video of you seeing it for the first time. I thought you "got" all that there is to "get" out of it. PS You know what you might like to check out, from the same year? "Paper Moon" by Peter Bogdonavich, which won Tatum O'Neal the Oscar....the youngest Oscar recipient ever! Highly recommended.
Thank you so much for the recommendation!
@@alexachipman If you don't like that movie, you can call me a peppercorn! :D I practically guarantee it. PS: I'm going to watch some of your other videos, I've just discovered these "first time watching" videos, and I really like it when I discover a person who I can "rewatch a favorite" movie with, someone who hasn't seen it.....you basically made me feel like I re-watched "Graffiti" (a movie I've seen probably five hundred times!) in just eleven minutes! It would be decadent at this point for me to rewatch it by myself! So thanks, I'm definitely going to check up more of your channel (and will probably bombard you with movie recommendations, as is my obnoxious way!). Thanks again, Alexa! :)
Freedom (right before drugs came in). You only had to worry about drunk drivers.
Made on a shoe string budget, it is one of the highest grossing movies of all time. It is also considered one of the best 100 movies of all time. It depicts the end if an era, as within a year President Kennedy would be assassinated and The Beatles would change Rock music forever. I grew up in a drinking town, but the bigger town 10 miles away had a circuit just like this. At times we would drive the circuit, just like this. The Only difference was it was 1968,69 and the music on the radio was 60s music and the muscle cars. I drove a 1969 Nova SS 396...
Such a gem of a movie! That’s great how you were able to experience something similar!
@@alexachipman Interesting Now, as I restore cars for a hobby, I Own a LOT of the Cars depicted in the movie. 1955 Chevy, 1957 Chevrolet Nomad, 1964 Chevrollet Belair and a 1966 Chevelle SS 396. The big differeance was they were ALL listning to Wolfman Jack on he radio, if we were not listening to CCR, the Stone or Beates on 8 track tape player, we were listening to Larry Lujack and WLS Music Radio out of Chicago on the car radio . That was the one differanc between our HS experience and the movie. The Big Differance was the Vietnam War, In the movie they did not have to deal with it (they do in "More American Grafftti") while we did on a daily basis. I was drafted and fought in Vietnam in 1970-71..
@@jmweed1861 Restoring cars sounds like an incredible hobby - I absolutely love vintage cars and go to museums for them at every opportunity. I agree that More American Graffiti leaned more into the Vietnam aspect, which is one of the reasons I prefer it.
@@alexachipman Yes while in HS, besides taking Trig. Calc, Physics. Chemistry, German, Eglish and History, I also took Auto Mechanics, so we were always working on our cars. So, it was easy to get into that hobby, as I restore the cars I grew up with.... Yes More American Graffti was closer to the 60s I grew up in. I had two older bothers (11 & 12 years older than me) and this was closer to them. They did NOT have to deal with the Civil Rights Movement, the Assinations of John and Bobby Kennedy and Martin Luther King , the Vietnam War Protest Riots and Kent State Shootings and the Riots in Chicago at the Democratic Convenion in 1968 and of Course The Draft and the War Itself. Which we did....
@@jmweed1861 People talk about 2020 being an eventful year, but that era sounds like it had way more going on! I am glad you made it through!
Shirley Feeny and Richie Cunningham in the same film. Great film. Saw it when it came out.
I would call this a coming of age, heroes journey film.
Have you seen Almost Famous? Its a youtube free movie
I am not sure - it sounds vaguely familiar. I will watch a clip of it to see if I recognize anything, and if not, I will add it to the list!
I've met candy Clark n john milner I had a blast with them at a car show n cruise
classic!
Not only does "American Graffiti" launch George Lucas, without "American Graffiti"" there is no "Happy Days" then there's no "Mork And Mindy" and then there's no "Popeye" "Aladdin" "Death To Smoochy" or "Dead Poets Society".
Okay, maybe those movies exist, but they stink without Robin.
"Death to Smoochy", what a reference! A criminally underrated movie, with one of the great Robin Williams' best performances. I'd put it right up there with "World's Greatest Dad" as one of his best films.
Robin had appeared on a few comedy specials before playing Mork. I suspect he would've been discovered one way or another. His career as Mork was pretty much a dead end anyway. None of his movies were real hits until Good Morning, Vietnam, 5 years after Mork and Mindy ended. And a lot of the movies before then had him playing oddball, misfit, cartoony characters like Mork. Good Morning, Vietnam got him his first Oscar nomination and was the movie that made Robin's career. And it did that as a departure from the type of characters he had been playing before.
You should check out "More American Graffiti"
Thanks!
You should watch George Lucas's first movie THX 1138. It's abstract and experimental but I think it's a nice movie that I think you'd probably enjoy.
You know what, I've never seen it! I'll see if I can track down a copy to watch!
Your favorite car is Laurie's Edsel?
Another American Graffiti is good too. Dazed and Confused is my American Graffiti.
Just think, 🤔 Harrison Ford was ready to give up acting when he got this part.
Great film by George Lucas.
Question. Do you care mare about an animal being injured or a classic car being wrecked.?
Don't tell Star Wars fans this, but I don't believe George Lucas ever did anything better than American Graffiti.
Lies!
@@jedijones Since my post, my post has been firmly established by The Top People.