American Graffiti

Time plays tricks even on masterpieces, and so it is with George Lucas’ breakthrough hit. American Graffiti remains a sharply written, beautifully acted pre-Beatles coming-of-age piece featuring soon-to-be-household names (Richard Dreyfuss, Harrison Ford). But you may also be distracted, since the romantic leads (Ron Howard, Cindy Williams) went on to star in Happy Days and Laverne and Shirley (both of which ripped off American Graffiti big time). Still, if that doesn’t bother you, this wide-screen version looks and sounds just great, and the period touches are as evocative as ever. Most poignant scene: Dreyfuss and Wolfman Jack talking alone in a radio station. Best line: ”Get your cooties off of me!” A