More American Graffiti
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| More American Graffiti | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster |
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| Directed by | Bill L. Norton |
| Produced by | George Lucas |
| Written by | Bill L. Norton |
| Starring | Candy Clark Bo Hopkins Ron Howard Paul Le Mat Mackenzie Phillips Charles Martin Smith Cindy Williams |
| Music by | Eugene Finley |
| Cinematography | Caleb Deschanel |
| Editing by | Tina Hirsch |
| Distributed by | Universal Pictures |
| Release date(s) | August 3, 1979 |
| Running time | 110 min. |
| Country |  |
| Language | English Icelandic |
| Budget | $3 million |
| Gross revenue | $8.1 million |
| Allmovie profile | |
| IMDb profile | |
More American Graffiti is the 1979 sequel film to George Lucas's hit film American Graffiti. Whereas the first film followed a group of friends during the summer evening before they set off for college, this film shows us where the characters from the first film end up a few years later.
Most cast members from the first film returned for this sequel, including Candy Clark, Ron Howard, Paul Le Mat, Cindy Williams, Mackenzie Phillips, Charles Martin Smith and even Harrison Ford turns up again but in a cameo appearance. The notable exception is Richard Dreyfuss.
The film made considerably less money than the first film, and its critical reception was nowhere near as positive as it had been for American Graffiti.
Contents |
[edit] Plot
The film is set over four consecutive New Year's Eves, 1964-1967, and scenes from each of these years are intercut with one another as though the events are happening simultaneously. The audience is protected from being confused by the conceit through the use of a distinct cinematic style for each section. For example, the 1966 sequences echo the movie of Woodstock by using split screen techniques and multiple angles of the same event shown simultaneously on screen, whereas the 1965 sequences (set in Vietnam) are shot hand-held, on grainy super 16 mm film and designed to resemble war reporters' footage. Each section takes pains to recreate the sensibilities and style of its era, and there are references to Haight-Ashbury, the campus peace movement, and the accompanying social revolt.
Given the eventualities of the characters revealed at the end of the original and again at the end of the sequel, most of these ideas are explored in More American Graffiti. John was revealed to have been killed by a drunk driver in December 1964. With his sequence set on New Year's Eve 1964, it is believed, while not shown, that his tragic end comes after his racing win on the last day of the year. The anniversary of John's death is mentioned in both the 1965 and 1966 sequences. Terry's classification as "missing in action" is explored in greater detail. Having faked his own death, Terry is believed to be dead by his superiors in 1965 and by friends Steve and Laurie in 1967. The at-times tumultuous relationship of Steve and Laurie escalates, further strained by Steve's responsibilities as an insurance agent, without their mutual love being cast aside. And free-spirited Debby, now a major player in Smiths' absence, is chronicled in a long, strange trip that ends with country-and-western music stardom. The drag racing scenes for More American Graffiti were filmed at the Fremont Raceway, later Baylands Raceway Park, in Fremont, California.
[edit] Cast
- Candy Clark as Debbie Dunham
- Bo Hopkins as Little Joe
- Ron Howard as Steve Bolander
- Paul Le Mat as John Milner
- Mackenzie Phillips as Carol / Rainbow
- Charles Martin Smith as Terry "The Toad" Fields
- Cindy Williams as Laura Bolander
- Scott Glenn as Newt
- Mary Kay Place as Teensa
- Wolfman Jack as Himself
- Rosanna Arquette as Girl in Commune
- Jonathan Gries as Ron
- Naomi Judd as Girl on Bus
- Delroy Lindo as Army Sgt.
- Harrison Ford (uncredited) as Officer Bob Falfa
[edit] Production
The movie was written and directed by Bill L. Norton who was picked by Lucas as being suitable due to his California upbringing and experience with comedy. Lucas was involved in the production by acting as the executive producer, editing both Norton's screenplay and the finished motion picture, and even manning a camera for sequences set in the Vietnam War.
[edit] External links
- Official site
- More American Graffiti at the Internet Movie Database
- More American Graffiti at Allmovie
