Murrieta Man Sways New York Times To Laud 'American Graffiti'

MURRIETA, CA — Was it a message from a Murrieta resident that pushed a New York Times writer over the cinematic edge?

Maybe.

"If my email inbox is any indication, several essential California movies have yet to be added to our California watch list," New York Times writer Soumya Karlamangla recently admitted to her readers.

In her March 14 article, "We’re Adding to Our California Movie List," Karlamangla said "American Graffiti" and "The Big Lebowski" were among her new picks.

It appears Brian McMahon of Murrieta helped inspire Karlamangla to consider "American Graffiti" after he offered her a great description of the movie.

"Set in 1962 in the agriculture-adjacent Central Valley town of Modesto, this low-budget masterpiece captures life just prior to the socially disruptive '60s," McMahon was quoted as saying. "Frequently referred to as a 'coming-of-age' story, I suggest this last summer evening with a group of recent high school graduates captures an important life decision we have all made at one time or another: Stay within the comforts of home, or head out into the unknown."

According to Karlamangla, readers recommended 215 films to her that reflect California. She finally watched George Lucas's "American Graffiti" (1973) for the first time and said she "thoroughly enjoyed it."

Set in Modesto in 1962, the film studies the cultural period that coincided with Lucas's early adulthood. It tells the story of a group of teenagers and their adventures over the course of a single night. The film was nominated for several Academy Awards and won a Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture—Musical or Comedy.

Patch could not track down McMahon to discuss the movie further, but it's nice to read that his voice was heard all the way from Murrieta.

P.S. Spot on re "American Graffiti."