Comparing American Graffiti with Dazed And Confused.

It's easy to parallel American Graffiti with Dazed And Confused. Both movies are period pieces set a decade (or two in the case of Dazed) prior to the one in which they were released.

In terms of quality I'd say both are about equal overall, although I'm admittedly a bigger fan of Dazed. Dazed to me is the greatest HS movie ever. It perfectly captures teen life even if you didn't go to HS in 1976 (I went between 1993 (the year of Dazed's release) and 1997). It's held up way better than most of John Hughes teen films. But Graffiti stands as the best thing George Lucas ever did (no offense to the original Star Wars trilogy). It's far better than the average Hollywood nostalgia piece, far more thoughtful.

However, I'd say there is a major difference between the two films. The difference? One is nostalgic. One is not.

Graffiti is ultimately nostalgic. It looks back to the era before the JFK assassination, before Vietnam and political corruption. Even with the postscript, we end the film on an optimistic note.

Although it has been somewhat co-opted by the nostalgia crowd, Dazed has a somewhat darker tone and is not as nostalgic. It's fun to be sure. But recall a scene where Randall says "If I ever say these were the best years of my life, remind me to kill myself". Or when Marissa observes "The 70s, oh god, they obviously suck". Plus dazed has the hazing aspect and a sense that many of these kids are basically roaring around, hoping for some escape from small-town Texas.

Both cover similar subject matter. But they aren't the same film. They can both be enjoyed and re-watched (i own both) and that's a great thing. But a total comparison doesn't really work.

___
2 ways you can go on this job. My way or the highway. Now what's it gonna be Mr. Pink?