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Harrison Ford’s career heavily involved George Lucas’Star Warsfranchise, butthey are not the films that he has to thank for his career.Ford’s iconic Han Solo character in the multi-billion dollar franchise did make him a household name. However, his first prominent role was inAmerican Graffiti. Ironically, the film is not just Ford’s first major project. It is also the first film Lucas ever directed, which is pretty impressive consideringAmerican Graffitichanged Hollywood forever.
The impact ofAmerican Graffitiwas so significant after its release that it even got its own sequel,More American Graffiti. However, Bill. L Norton directed this one instead of George Lucas. Harrison Ford, on the other hand, had a small cameo. The film released in 1979, so Ford and Lucas were working on the blockbuster sequelStar Wars: The Empire Strikes Backat that point. Even though this franchise is a cultural phenomenon, it is still necessary to look back at one of George Lucas' andHarrison Ford’s best moviesto see how they got their feet into Hollywood.
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American Graffiti Is Now On Prime Video - What It’s About
The Film Takes Its Audience Back To 1962
American Graffititells the story of a group of high school best friends on their last night together before two of them head off to college. The film features a superb soundtrack to enhance the 1962 setting and truly brings out the feeling of being a young adult during this time. Unfortunately,American Graffiti’s unexpected endingfeatures a main character death and significantly tones down the playful atmosphere. However, havingboth a thrilling adventure and an emotional ending makes the film stand out in the coming-of-age genre.
Harrison Ford and George Lucas also worked on theIndiana Jonesmovies together.
Now thatAmerican Graffitiis streaming on Amazon Prime Video, more audiences can watch this fun yet saddening story unfold, not to mention how more viewers can see how the film is drastically different from other projects George Lucas and Harrison Ford worked on together. Sure,Star Warsalso features some coming-of-age themes with exciting adventures. However,American Graffitiis not only significantly more realistic but also showcases experiences many people go through. Thefilm is not just about a lively night with friends;itis also about the everyday experience of saying goodbye.
How American Graffiti Launched Harrison Ford’s Career
His First Onscreen Acting Role
Harrison Ford does not have as big of a role inAmerican Graffitias he does inStar Wars. Nonetheless, he stillmade a great impression as an actor while portraying Bob Falfa.In his first appearance inAmerican Graffiti, Ford wears a cowboy hat while challenging Paul Le Mat’s John Milner for a street race. Bob Falfa is clearly full of himself and just wants to show off. Yet, Ford’s charisma as Bob makes the character more likable than he should be. This charisma would play into most of Harrison’s following roles.
Thankfully, George Lucas picked up on his worthiness and now Ford is the legendary Han Solo.
Harrison Ford’s portrayal of Bob Falfa proved himself as an actor worthy of more roles. Thankfully, George Lucas picked up on his talents and now Ford is the legendary Han Solo. Without this role inAmerican Graffiti,it is possible Ford would never have become such a notable actor in Hollywood.Indeed, he is an excellent actor and perhaps would have been given a role eventually. Then again, even some of the best actors have trouble finding the right role for them to get into Hollywood.
American Graffiti Is Still Worth Watching Today
The Coming-Of-Age Themes Still Hold Relevance
Of course,American Graffitiis far from the first coming-of-age film. The movie still established particular qualities of the genre that have shaped it in the way it is today. Not every coming-of-age trope from the movie has been seen in all the genre’s films in the last 51 years. Even so,some of the most prominent ones come fromAmerican Graffiti.Examples of these tropes include the coming-of-age summer movie. IfAmerican Graffitidid not popularize these tropes, the coming-of-age genre would be considerably different today.
American Graffitiwas released in 1973.
Even for movie watchers who usually do not like coming-of-age films,American Graffitiis still a must-see. Thefilm’s themes do not just shape a genre, they relate to life.Growing up and moving on from one’s childhood is such a universal experience that guarantees the film will make its new viewers reminisce about this time of their lives. Of course, this reminiscing could spark some heavy emotions. It should, as that is one of the points ofAmerican Graffiti.
Harrison Ford’s connection to the coming-of-age genre because of his role inAmerican Graffitigenuinely shaped his career. He is a major part of the film’s influence on the genre, proving how his role was more than just his entrance into Hollywood. It washis first way of making an impact through cinema.Ford paying homage to the film with hisBob FalfaMore American Graffiticameoshowcases that he recognizes the everlasting significance of the movie.Star WarsandIndiana Jonesmight be cultural spectacles, but so isAmerican Graffiti.
American Graffiti
Cast
American Graffiti is a coming-of-age film directed by George Lucas in 1973. Produced by Francis Ford Coppola and starring Richard Dreyfuss, Ron Howard, Harrison Ford, Paul Le Mat, and Charles Martin Smith, the movie centers on a group of teenagers on the last night of summer vacation before they head off to college and begin their adult lives.
