American Graffiti is the ultimate teen movie. It was the one that paved the road for all of the great 80's contributions to the genre, and we owe everything that we love about the teen film culture to George Lucas' 1973 film. Think about this for a second. Has there even been an Oscar nominated teen film since Graffiti scored FIVE 35 years ago?? None come to mind (and I'm too lazy to look it up at this exact moment). It is unprecedented as far as being not just a great teen movie, but a great MOVIE in general.
Now, upon watching it again, I have recalled my great liking for Paul Le Mat, playing the rebel with a heart of gold, John Milner. He's just such a great character. The guy who was king of the town with no future to look forward to. He is just the right balance of street smart and book dense that he enacts emphathy from any one who watches the film. The fact that Paul Le Mat plays him just adds to his appeal. We know where Richard Dreyfuss ends up in the movie world, and so we don't necessarily relate with him. We know where Ron Howards ends up in the movie world, and because he went bald, we don't necessarily relate with him (and really, when you think about, he's kind of a dick for most of the movie).
And then of course, there's Charles Martin Smith, who...well, no one likes to admit that they relate to him because he's just a big loser. Don't get me wrong, he's probably the most like any person from the real world, but it that of Milner whom every WANTS to be. They know he doesn't have any sort of future, but he has the car. He has the sex appeal. He has the suave deposition. He is who we all wish to be in the world of American Graffiti. And since Paul Le Mat never really did anything better than this movie, no one has any preconceptions of what to think of him. He's a blank slate in the movie world.
Between him and Mackenzie Phillips as his annoyingly bratty sidekick Carol, the movie just never misses a beat. "Your car is uglier than I am!! (Pause) That didn't come out right." That still makes me laugh even when I think about. Oh Mackenzie Phillips. What perfect delivery you had.
So that's what I love today. Carol, the 13 year old who is older than the rest, the greaser persona of John Milner and his kick-ass, piss yellow Deuce Coup. Well, him and Bob Falfa anyway. Yeah...Bob Falfa is great too. He's such a dick.
Oh Harrison Ford.
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