 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
American Graffiti
- Review Date: April 11, 2005
- PG
- Genre: Drama
- 1973
Common Sense Media says
Coming-of-age classic still a must-see for teens.
Parents say
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that American Graffiti holds up beautifully for teens. Because it's set in the '60s, there is smoking and loads of drinking. There's a fistfight, some off-screen gunshots, drag racing, a car explotion, and a small amount of profanity ("s--t," "damn," hell"). Teens challenge authority, drink and drive, talk about sex, make out, and there's one shot of a boy's naked backside (in a drive-by mooning).
What's the story?
AMERICAN GREAFFITI is a coming-of-age dramedy set in Modesto, Calif. Steven (Ron Howard) and Curt (Richard Dreyfus) are leaving for college. Over the course of a long last night, Steven and Laurie (Cindy Williams) resolve to date others, while Curt chases a mysterious blond woman (Suzanne Sommers) in a T-bird. Meanwhile, Steven's friend Toad takes Steven's car and romances the somewhat dim Debbie. Another friend, John Milner, wants to drag race hot-shot Bob (Harrison Ford). Unfortunately, Milner gets saddled with a whiny 13-year-old for the evening (Mackenzie Phillips). Teens tangle with a gang, destroy a cop car, get into another car crash, and consult with DJ Wolfman Jack. With varying degrees of anticipation and fear, the teens leave high school behind.
Is it any good?
The music! The clothes! The stars! The cars!! An unknown George Lucas, four years before he would make Star Wars, set a standard for teen movies. American Graffiti's cast is uniformly strong. Most of the young actors are famous now -- Ron Howard, Harrison Ford, Richard Dreyfus, Suzanne Sommers, Mackenzie Phillips. And the soundtrack, virtually a greatest hits collection from the era, includes recordings from such early rock legends as Chuck Berry, Buddy Holly and Fats Domino. The songs are beautifully woven into the restless teenage world.
Like the characters themselves, America in 1962 was on the brink of enormous changes, and Lucas captures that momentous feeling tinged with uneasiness. Children may ask, "Was it really like that?"
Explore, discuss, enjoy
Families can talk about how older teens feel about leaving home, and moving away from everything they know.
How does American Graffiti compare with contempory movies about high school kids? How is it different? The same?
Which characters do you most identify with?
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Teen, 16 years old
April 9, 2008
AGE
Excellent classic
If you like classic movies, American movies, or consider yourself a Lucas film, you owe it to yourself to see this film. It sometimes comes on TCM if for some reason you don;t feel like renting it (though I say sometimes because I saw it on TCM in early 2005, but know it has come on a few times after tat also).
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Kid, 12 years old
April 9, 2008
AGE
George Lucas, You Are a Genius!
I'm telling you I read the book, which was like reading the screenplay because it had the directions and who was saying what. In the future I do mean to actually watch the film. I loved it!!!! I mean I have to see it, I am obsessed with the 50's and 60's.
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Teen, 14 years old
August 23, 2011
AGE
Pretty strong for even a 70s PG.
My rating: PG-13 for language, teen drinking/smoking, some sensuality and an image of rear nudity.
What other families should know:
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Teen, 13 years old
September 21, 2010
AGE
A must for George lucas fans and kids
I like this movie. It has humor, style, love, and action. It's likes Grease(1978)only better. I highly reccomeded it
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Teen, 15 years old
April 30, 2012
AGE
Realy good, clean movie
nothing bad at all in this movie, let your kids watch it.
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Kid, 9 years old
August 20, 2012
AGE
Phenomenal for 11+
Great movie. Some smoking, a man's arm is on fire for a second(no wound shown, portrayed from afar, not graphic or explicit) mild language
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Teen, 14 years old
February 10, 2013
AGE
Iconic 60's movie has substances and sensuality.
American Graffiti is a classic film about a group of high school graduates who partake in some questionable behavior one night, while considering what they will do with there futures. Certain characters steal liquor, rob arcades, make out, and almost everyone smokes. A brief scene shows a woman mooning, and swearing includes s**t, ass, and b**chin'( sometimes used to describe a woman). Best for teens, a bit mature for anyone younger.
What other families should know:
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| Topics: | friendship, high school |
| Studio: | Universal Pictures |
| Director: | George Lucas |
| Cast: | Cindy Williams, Harrison Ford, Richard Dreyfuss |
| Genre: | Drama |
| Run time: | 110 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | April 11, 1973 |
| DVD release date: | March 1, 1992 |
| MPAA rating: | PG |
| MPAA explanation: | mature themes and sexuality |
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