American Graffiti

1973110 minutesPG

5.9

Arcplot Score

📝 Unconventional

Unverified

⭐ 7.4IMDb

🍅 95%Rotten Tomatoes

Ⓜ️ 97/100Metacritic

🎬 7.0TMDb

📊 8.5Popularity

🏆Nominated for 5 Oscars. 9 wins & 13 nominations total

Genre: Comedy, Drama

Directed by: George Lucas

It's the proverbial end of the summer 1962 in a small southern California town. It's the evening before best friends and recent high school graduates, Curt Henderson and Steve Bolander, are scheduled to leave town to head to college back east. Curt, who received a lucrative local scholarship, is seen as the promise that their class holds. But Curt is having second thoughts about leaving what Steve basically sees as their dead end town. Curt's beliefs are strengthened when he spots an unknown beautiful blonde in a T-bird who mouths the words "I love you" to him. As Curt tries to find that blonde while trying to get away from a local gang who have him somewhat hostage, Curt may come to a decision about his immediate future. Outgoing class president Steve, on the other hand, wants to leave, despite meaning that he will leave girlfriend, head cheerleader and Curt's sister, Laurie Henderson, behind. Steve and Laurie spend the evening "negotiating" the state of their relationship. Meanwhile, two of their friends cruise around town for the evening. Steve has left his car to meek and mild-mannered Terry "Toad" Fields to look after during his absence. The wheels give Toad a new sense of confidence, which he uses to try and impress Debbie Dunham, a more experienced girl generally out of his league. And John Milner, who is seen as the king of the street race in his souped-up yellow deuce coupe, tries to get rid of precocious pre-teen, Carol Morrison, who has somehow become his passenger for the evening, while dealing with the challenge of bold out-of-towner, Bob Falfa.

Box Office

Budget:$0.8M

Revenue:$140.0M

Profit:$139.2M

Arcplot Score Breakdown

Beat Timing Precision5.3/10

Emotional Arc Impact5.5/10

Thematic Consistency7/10

Overall Score5.9/10

Beat Sheet

15 plot points

Opening Image

1 min

Theme Stated

5 min

Set-Up

12 min

Catalyst

20 min

Debate

30 min

Break Into Two

42 min

B Story

50 min

Fun and Games

60 min

Midpoint

75 min

Bad Guys Close In

88 min

All Is Lost

97 min

Dark Night of the Soul

102 min

Break Into Three

106 min

Finale

109 min

Final Image

110 min

Emotional Arc

+100-10

Plot Points

Opening Image

1 min

Small town in Modesto, California. Cruising teenagers at night. Car culture and friendship immediately established. Nostalgic 1960s energy. Summer ending, everything feels temporary.

Theme Stated

5 min

Curt: "One night, everything can change." Theme of transition, youth, and inevitability of growing up. Characters facing choices and uncertainty about the future.

Set-Up

12 min

High school graduates planning to leave town. Steve, Curt, Terry, and Laurie navigating love, friendship, and rebellion. Car races, diner scenes, and parties establish group dynamics and individual desires.

Catalyst

20 min

Curt receives message that he might leave for college. Steve considers leaving town for adventure. Small events hint at major life changes approaching.

Debate

30 min

Characters debate whether to stay in Modesto or chase dreams elsewhere. Friendship tested. Romance uncertain. Nostalgia vs. future prospects. Identity and choice in balance.

Break Into Two

42 min

Group heads out for a final night of cruising. Decisions become real. Adventures begin. Car races and flirtations escalate. Transition to adulthood starting.

B Story

50 min

Curt’s relationship with Laurie. Steve and Jane’s unresolved romance. Teenage bonds tested against approaching adulthood. Emotional stakes rise.

Fun and Games

60 min

Diner antics, drag racing, and parties. Friends have last carefree adventures. Humor, nostalgia, and tension mix. Youthful exuberance and recklessness on full display.

Midpoint

75 min

Curt and Laurie confront feelings about separation. Steve realizes leaving town may break bonds. Emotional stakes peak. False victory: fun night seems endless but reality intrudes.

#10

Bad Guys Close In

88 min

Car crashes, misunderstandings, and fights. Relationships strained. Reality encroaches on fun. Summer ending, choices looming.

#11

All Is Lost

97 min

Curt says goodbye to friends. Steve leaves for uncertain future. Nostalgia fades; fear and sadness replace carefree energy.

#12

Dark Night of the Soul

102 min

Reflection on youth passing. Realization that growing up is inevitable. Characters contemplate what they are leaving behind.

#13

Break Into Three

106 min

Curt reconciles with Laurie, accepting future. Steve finds courage to pursue his own path. Synthesis of nostalgia and new beginnings.

#14

Finale

109 min

Friends part ways. Last night remembered fondly. Personal growth achieved. Choices accepted.

#15

Final Image

110 min

Early morning streets of Modesto empty. Characters moving toward adulthood. End of summer, end of innocence, bittersweet closure.