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American Graffiti

(1973, Rated PG, Drama, Starring Richard Dreyfuss, Harrison Ford, Cindy Williams)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 11, age appropriate for kids over 13; suggested age 13.
  • Is it any good?

    5.0
  • Common Sense says

    Coming-of-age classic still a must-see for teens.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 13 and Up

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Drag racing. Drunk driving. Teens disrespect authority (cops are mocked, for example). Non-white children don't exist in this slice of early sixties America that George Lucas chooses to portray. One girl says she is not allowed to listen to Wolfman Jack because her parents (mistakenly) assume he is black.
  • Violence:

    Fisticuffs. Gunshots during a robbery.
  • Sex:

    Flashing bare bums. Back seat necking and petting.
  • Language:

    Not an issue.
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    One boy gets a stranger to buy alcohol at a liquor store and then gets so drunk that he throws up. He also drives after drinking.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About American Graffiti

Parents need to know that this movie 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, and some language you might not want your kids using at the dinner table. Teens challenge authority, drink and drive, talk about sex, make out, and yes, there's the odd shot of the naked backside.

Read our full review by Randy White

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about how older teens feel about leaving home, and moving away from everything they know. Which characters do you most identify with? Where do you expect to go after high school?

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    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.

  2. Teen Reviewer Age 17
    Lives in Texas
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 4.0

    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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