“American Graffiti” captures the essence of high school friendships

The summer after you graduated high school was probably filled with parties and hanging out with your clique of friends until it was time to leave for college in the fall. On the last night before you and your friends parted ways, you most likely had a last hurrah, getting together one last time.

In 1973, George Lucas, the creator of the popular “Star Wars” series, created perhaps one of the best feel-good high school films of all time.

“American Graffiti” is about a group of high school graduates hanging out for the last time. The movie is set first in the popular local diner, where the friends are gathering for food before they go car-cruising. Throughout the night, relationships change and friendships are tested, and all the while, the young adults cruise around town listening to the popular radio host Wolfman Jack.

This film was known not only for featuring celebrities like Harrison Ford and Ron Howard. It was also nominated for five Oscars including Best Director, Best Actress in a Leading Role, Best Picture, Best Writer and Best Film Editing. Besides these, the film won nine awards and seven other nominations.

The film made a grossed $115 million, a huge amount in the 1970s and still today. At first, Universal Studios did not think the film would be a success and held it for six months before finally releasing it. To its surprise, the film ended up becoming a hit.

From multiple location changes to crew members being arrested, Lucas had a challenge ahead of him. The day before filming began, many crew members were arrested for growing marijuana. Then, after just two days of filming began, they were asked to move due to complaints of loud noises and blocking businesses.

Despite all of this, Lucas had to deal with actors such as Ford who refused to simply cut his hair, and Lucas ultimately had to give him a hat for filming.

Lucas also wanted to incorporate 80 classic rock songs, but due to budgeting issues, he was only allowed to use 45 of the songs, excluding some of the most popular artists of all time, like Elvis Presley.

When I first watched this film I instantly fell in love. Maybe I was born in the wrong era, but when I was in high school that is exactly  how I wanted to hang out with friends — at a popular public place allowing the chance to socialize with others. It is strange to me to see how young some of the actors in “American Graffiti” were at the time.

I would recommend this movie to anyone who enjoys older music, a good comedy and catching a glimpse of just what it was like in the 1970s.