American Graffiti (1973)

This film was a pretty good one, though it was quite dated. Perhaps what is most shocking is that it was created by the same man who would become a household name with Star Wars (1977).
It is the final day of summer in 1962. Here, there are a group of friends, with Curt (Richard Dreyfuss) and Steve (Ron Howard) as the leads preparing to leave for college, though Curt is having second thoughts. Ironically, it should be the other way around, as Curt was offered a scholarship and has no current girlfriend while Steve, despite being class president is desperate to leave though he has a steady girlfriend, Curt's kid sister, Laurie (Cindy Williams, great in a weak role). However, crazy stuff happens to each guy throughout the course of their last night at home before leaving. Steve and Laurie break up and get back together several times throughout the night, but it is only after Laurie nearly gets killed that Steve realizes how much she truly meant to him, and while she weeps into his shoulder begging him not to go, Steve decides to stay at home, why search for something that you already have. Curt, on the other hand, accidentally has a run-in with the local gang and decides that escaping would be his best option, and he's probably right. So Curt ends up leaving while Steve stays put. Curt is probably also upset that a lovely blonde woman whom he has had his eye on, refuses to meet with him.
Though the leads are pretty good, it is the supporting characters who truly shine. There is John Milner, a rebel bad-ass (Paul Le Mat) who loves to drag race his car. He gets stuck with the younger sister of a girl he was trying to pick up. This girl is named Carol (Mackenzie Phillips), who is probably the most interesting character of the whole film. She is young and geeky, but worldly and knows the way of the streets. However, she is also quite annoying and nothing more than a pest to John, but eventually, he develops some sort of attraction toward her, though I'm not really sure what kind. John races the crazy Bob Falfa (Harrison Ford, before he became famous) who later picks up Laurie and gets frustrated with her and then drives off the road, but luckily does not die. Another supporting character is Terry (Charlie Martin Smith), who is younger than all the other guys. Steve entrusts him with his car and he uses this to his advantage and eventually manages to pick up the older and beautiful Debbie (Candy Clark, Oscar nominated). They mostly hit it off, though the night is not easy for them as the car gets stolen and Terry gets sick from the alcohol he drank. Still, this was an interesting plot line, though I didn't think Clark was worthy of her nomination; it should have gone to Phillips instead.
Though the movie doesn't make as strong as a point as it should have, it was far from a waste of my time and the soundtrack alone was worth it. However, Star Wars is considerably better entertainment, as this film has dated itself severely and it will only continue to dated itself with each passing year. Another problem is, you only see a snapshot of these people's lives, much as European films do, which is fine, though because of this, you don't understand the reason the characters act the way they act. I'll forgive that though, as the film was already enjoyable enough. Grade: A-