Watch Van Nuys Boulevard
- R
- 1979
- 1 hr 34 min
Van Nuys Boulevard is a classic 1979 American film directed by William Sachs. The film is set in the late 1970s in Van Nuys, California, a suburb in Los Angeles renowned for its cruising culture. The film revolves around Bobby (Bill Adler), a young man who lands in Van Nuys with no money and a broken-down car. He quickly learns about the local cruising culture and becomes infatuated with it.
Bobby stays in a motel and starts cruising down Van Nuys Boulevard, which is a popular spot for local youths to show off their cars and flirt with members of the opposite sex. He quickly falls in love with a beautiful blonde named Moon (Cynthia Wood), and together they explore the boulevard and its various hangouts. The film captures the atmosphere, sound, and thrill of cruising in the late 70s with amazing authenticity.
As Bobby gets involved in the local cruising culture, he makes friends and enemies along the way. He befriends Chooch (David Hayward), a charismatic and daring young man who is the king of the boulevard. Chooch takes Bobby under his wing and shows him the ropes of cruising. Together, they compete with other groups of young men in races and pranks.
However, not everyone is friendly to Bobby. He makes an enemy of a local tough guy, Kilo (Dennis Bowen), who is also interested in Moon. Kilo and his gang of associates frequently harass Bobby and Chooch, leading to several confrontations, including a high-speed car chase down the boulevard.
Van Nuys Boulevard also features an impressive soundtrack, which captures the sounds of the late 1970s, including Boz Scaggs, The Commodores, and Foghat. The music is an integral part of the film and helps to set the tone for the cruising culture.
Throughout the film, Bobby becomes increasingly infatuated with Moon and, as they spend more time together, he starts to fall in love with her. However, their budding romance hits several bumps along the way, including Moon's relationship with Kilo, who is determined to keep Bobby away from her.
As the film progresses, Bobby becomes more entrenched in the cruising culture, and his relationship with Moon becomes more complicated. However, he also begins to discover who he is and what he wants out of life. He realizes that the cruising culture is not all it's cracked up to be, and that there is more to life than drag racing and showing off.
Overall, Van Nuys Boulevard is a fun and nostalgic trip back in time to the late 1970s. The film captures the atmosphere and thrill of cruising, while also telling a compelling story about young love and self-discovery. The characters are likable, the soundtrack is fantastic, and the action scenes are thrilling. The film is a must-see for anyone interested in American car culture, or anyone looking for a fun and entertaining ride.