MovieChat Forums > American Graffiti (1973) Discussion > 'You want to end up like John?'

'You want to end up like John?'

posted 10 years ago by ARosser14
16 replies | jump to latest

That line irritates the hell out of me and sours me a bit on the Steve Bolander character. Nothing against Howard or how it was written, I'm sure there are plenty of folks who have a positive or indifferent view of his remark to Curt.

Me, though, it aggravated me. That preppy wimp. I wonder what Milner would have done had Steve had the guts to say it within earshot. Would he have given him a knuckle sandwich? Given him the wedgie from hell? Say "Pfft, shut up Opie?"

Being like John, to me, wouldn't have been such a bad deal. The kid was already a local legend. Ever since I first watched the film all the way through I've maintained that The Fonz wishes he were 1/10th as cool as John Milner.

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"They name streets after guys like that: One Way and Dead End." - Tony Stewart

[–] ck1-5 10 years ago

While I agree with your asessment concerning John Milner vs. The Fonz, I understand where Steve was coming from. I knew guys who tried to live the "Milner" life and stayed with it for too long; unfortunately, that sort of existence has an experation date, like it or not. It's ironic, however, that for all of his "I've gotta get out of here" attitude, Steve's the one who ended up settling for remaining in his hometown, marrying his high school sweetheart, and selling insurance.

[–] ARosser14 10 years ago

I get what you mean. Everyone grows up someday I guess, unless they're fortunate enough to make it as a professional bad-to-the-bone type (in John's case, had he lived perhaps he could have become a championship NHRA drag racer). In their small town, though, eventually you have to. I suppose it just annoys me to have it pointed out by that uppity, preppy little twerp. Haha. In all seriousness, though I guess it is the clear utter contempt Steve has for John (who is obviously my hands-down favorite character, no close second) but clearly doesn't have anything resembling the intestinal fortitude to mention it to his face that rubs me the wrong way.

And yes, it was pretty funny how he was all gung ho at the beginning and then he's the one who sticks around. I was glad he did, it made for a sweet scene with him and Laurie, but early on, damn he irritated me.

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"They name streets after guys like that: One Way and Dead End." - Tony Stewart

[–] ck1-5 10 years ago

What I liked about John was that he was REAL; growing up, I actually knew guys like that. The Fonz, on the other hand, was a total work of fantasy.

[–] 10 years ago

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[–] ARosser14 10 years ago

You know what, Exopterygota (That's a mouthful by the way)? You may be right, now that I think of it. He did seem a bit disenchanted at points. Thanks for blowing my post to hell. Haha.

I guess I see him as the would-be race driver and my love of motorsports and the maverick style of racers particularly of that era kicks in so I start romanticizing the guy's lifestyle. Looking at it from your perspective takes the shine out of it. I'll probably keep looking at it my way because I'm a hopeless romantic (not in a relationship/love sense or anything like that, for the record, unless we're talking Johanna Long or Danica Patrick...) when it comes to racing and race drivers and their stories, but thanks for the alternative "real world" perspective.

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"They name streets after guys like that: One Way and Dead End." - Tony Stewart

[–] ck1-5 10 years ago

Milner's "The whole strip's shrinkin'" comment gives some insight in terms of his dilemma......obviously, the strip's not really "shrinkin'", it's more like he is growing, as in outgrowing his small world that, just a few years ago, seemed so exciting and complete. Deep down, he knows that he needs something more, but doesn't know what.

[–] 10 years ago

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[–] JoeKarlosi 10 years ago

I think Bolander was wrong. Sure, when you're 17 you "don't want to stay 17 forever". But once you're in your 50s - believe me, you wouldn't mind feeling 17.

Milner had the right idea. Life is short... enjoy yourself. Once you succumb to the "rules" of towing the line and acting all "grown up and mature" and forsaking your hobbies and interests, and losing your inner child -- you're on the road to death.

[–] akroagate 10 years ago

You're right on the money, JoeK.

What I wouldn't give to feel 17 again.

Time of your life, huh, kid?

[–] ck1-5 10 years ago

On the subject of "forsaking your hobbies and interests", I still have the '64 GTO that I bought in 1981. Whenever I run into an old friend from those days, the first question is invariably, "Do you still have your GTO?". When I answer in the affirmative, they always seem to be relieved that I didn't sell it and buy a minivan.

[–] kag2 10 years ago

I got the impression that Milner was about 3 years older than the others, a burnout, drag-racer going nowhere, no ambition beyond being the top drag-strip dude, barely passing his classes at the Junior College, etc. And that Steve could see Milner was heading nowhere.

Not that Milner needed to be a college man. Nothing wrong with being an auto mechanic, and drag racing weekends at the local race track.

[–] capablecarl 9 years ago

Steve could tell life was just leaving John behind, as it tends to do with that type. John's prospects weren't good. Sure he was still a cool guy, but his best years were definitely behind him.

[–] Marmadukebagelhole 9 years ago

He's a teenaged boy. They have opinions and are quite happy to volunteer them. Have you seen IMDb message boards?

Taking personal offence at a line in a piece of fiction is a wee bit excessive.

Glasgow's FOREMOST authority Italics = irony. Infer the opposite please.

[–] kentor404 9 years ago

It fits in with one of the main underlying themes of the movie. '50s America was dying, and 1962 represented what could be called the last year of innocence for that generation with the JFK assassination, Vietnam, and all of the turbulence of the '60s and '70s right on the doorstep. That theme runs all through the movie (the last night of the last summer of the last year of innocence), and the Milner character in many ways represents what was (the '50s) and not what was about to be (the "real" '60s). He seems to sense that his world is slipping away with comments about the strip shrinking, Buddy Holley dying, some of the old gang going off to college, the junkyard scene, and the knowledge that if it's not Falfa it will be someone else, and sooner or later he won't be "the fastest in the valley". There is a desperation in his character to hold onto what he knows is slipping away.

[–] capablecarl 7 years ago

Great post Kentor 404.

Evolve, adapt, or die. John would at best, reluctantly do one or all of these.

[–] liscarkat (16476) a year ago

In the movie, it was stated that Milner was twenty-two. His recreational activities--building hot rods, cruising, racing, picking up girls--were perfectly appropriate for a guy his age. There was nothing sad about it.

I agree, Steve was a "preppy wimp".