Kinda crazy that this is sandwiched between George Lucas’s THX 1138 and Star Wars. Produced by Francis Ford Coppola, a chill coming-of-age story for the early 60s with a group of friend (partly) newly outta high school and wondering what’s next, with first major role by Richard Dreyfuss as a hesitant young lad, Ron Howard totally not playing Richie Cunningham with his girlfriend from Laverne and Shirley, some good comedy by Toad and an early role by Harrison Ford. It’s a unique snapshot of Americana, complete with a drive-in restaurant, fast cars, and some radio Disc Jockeying of some oldie but goodie tunes to help the movie along.
The last night of the “Summer” of 1962 for a group of friends as two of them are set to fly out of town to college the next morning. Each has their own shenanigans and dramas play out, one is even called a big weenie! Oh My, the language! But those punks also drop some shits, fly some middle fingers, and stick it to the cops! All in a night of good mostly clean fun. Except maybe for the vandalisms. and theft. and drag racing. and underage drinking. Punks, I tells ya! Even in 1962!
It’s funny to think about a couple of high school seniors “reminiscing” about their times in life. Sheeit. They some young pups, and it shows. But nice perspectives on the never-ending question of what the fuck am I supposed to do in life? Young dumb & full of...vigor...for 17 years old, who the fuck knows? Richard Linklater did a good job of the same for the 70s with Dazed and Confused, a lot of the same beats as this, a night in the life of/slice of life. Nothing terribly heavy, a good soundtrack, and just watching how their lives play out in their respective tangents as they face life’s next big chapter. Wolfman Jack approves!
