American Graffiti
Today we go back to a classic from the seventies as we continue our look at the best coming of age movies of all time.
And the movie that is under the spotlight is George Lucas' classic American Graffiti, which was released back in 1973.
This is a great coming of age movie that takes place all on one night back in 1962 and was influenced by Lucas' own teenage years.
The movie paid tribute to an era of optimism as a group of teenagers are looking to the future and wondering what it will bring them.
American Graffiti is almost like the last night of being a teenager as it follows some high school grads who spend one final night together before they go off to college.
This is just a movie that is brimming with life and possibility as Lucas really does capture the era and the feelings of the youth of that time.
Like any movie in this genre it does tackle some more serious issues and yet Lucas does that with a real sensitivity - not to mention wit and humour.
And while he has captured the era beautifully Lucas doesn't wallow in sentimentality - yes it has a nostalgic feel to it but he never takes it too far.
But, like all great coming of age movies, American Graffiti transcends the time and it really does have a powerful message for teenagers whether they were watching it when it was released or watching it today.
This is a movie that is almost a calm before the storm as it is set before the Vietnam War and the assassination of John F. Kennedy and the film does feel like something that will change everyone's lives is just around the corner.
With American Graffiti Lucas captured the time and the feelings of the youth of that time so well. He has created a group of interesting and well developed characters that are easy to relate to no matter what era you are in.
American Graffiti remains one of the best coming of age movies and is a must see for any teen.
Click here to buy American Graffiti on DVD
The Perks of Being a Wallflower is out now
FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw
Tagged in George Lucas