Fandango (1985) User Reviews (120)

One of Kevin Costners' best performances.

[Hey_Sweden · 7/10 · 2 June 2019]

"Fandango", defined at the outset as either a dance, the music for same, or a foolish act, is nothing if not very appealing, capturing a point in the lives of young mens' post-college lives when they have to decide What to Do Now. Gardner (Kevin Costner) prefers to remain rootless, although he and Kenneth (Sam Robards) have both been drafted to serve in the Vietnam War. Kenneth, however, was supposed to get married, and thinks that he has to call it off now. Together with their friends Phil (Judd Nelson), Dorman (Chuck Bush), and the barely seen Lester (Brian Cesak), they head off on the obligatory One Final Great Adventure before they go their separate ways.

This marked the feature filmmaking debut for young Kevin Reynolds, whose student film "Proof" was expanded for theatrical release under the sponsorship of Steven Spielberg (whose recently formed company Amblin produced the film). A truly great film it is not (not every episode is equally compelling), but it's still quite engaging and impossible to resist. It's certain to be relatable to people of a certain age, no matter what era they've occupied (the films' story takes place in Texas circa 1971).

The characters are generally quite interesting to watch, especially Costner, who shows that he can make the most of the situation when given a reasonably colourful role. (Still, his character remains refreshingly human, never turning into a cartoon or caricature.) Nelsons' work is equally impressive, although Phil is the kind of uptight, fastidious guy who could easily wear out his welcome. Fortunately, he becomes more endearing as the story plays out. And Robards is equally ingratiating. Bush doesn't get much to do that's interesting, however, and Cesak is stuck in the ultimate thankless role.

The lovely ladies present get their moment to shine, too: Suzy Amis, as Costners' unnamed girlfriend, Glenne Headly as Trelis, and Elizabeth Daily & Robyn Rose as two "jailbait" girls. Stealing the show for a large chunk of the running time is character actor Marvin J. McIntyre, who'd been in "Proof" and reprises his role here: eccentric diving instructor Truman Sparks.

Accented by lovely Alan Silvestri music and vibrant rural photography, "Fandango" adds up to an appealing way to spend just over an hour and a half. It can boast one striking finish, as the residents of a small town come to the aid of our heroes. In the end, it leaves us with pleasant smiles on our faces.

Seven out of 10.

nostalgic

[guillevica · 7/10 · 18 October 2019]

I saw this film this morning, I was transporting to those old films in which Spielberg is th executive producer, thisis a good movie, very nostalgic, this movie was never showd in Colombia and i am so happy to have the chance to watch it

Those were days

And to think that it was directed by the man behind "Waterworld"...

[lee_eisenberg · 7/10 · 1 October 2006]

On one level, "Fandango" may just seem like another nostalgia piece - in this case focusing on some college students in 1971 Texas. But it certainly has its moments. Kevin Costner and Judd Nelson make the most of their roles. If the movie has any problem, it's that it paved the way for director Kevin Reynolds to direct Kevin Costner in the brainless "Waterworld" (which itself paved the way for - gulp - "The Postman").

But one can ignore those and just bask in the fun here. You just may want to experience what the movie portrays. Also starring Sam Robards and Glenne Headly.

So, Scaramouche, Scaramouche, will you watch this "Fandango"?

Total gem

[michaelbassett · 11 October 2004]

There is something so magical about this film and how it captures a fleeting moment in every young man's life. It's sentimental in the best way, harking back to lost youth and that transitional moment into adult responsibility. Kevin Costner has never been more charming (indeed I don't think he has ever tried) and director Kevin Reynolds imbuse this with such a touching sensibility and bravura filming style it really pulls at my heart. I discovered it on TV a decade ago and have always treasured the copy I managed to make of it. Why not available on DVD? Every other piece of s**t is. Wonderful. Not for everyone, not perfect but wonderful. The final frame I even used as a background on my PC for a while and the credits song...perfect. "Have a nice life."

Pretty good...

[RevRonster · 6/10 · 27 July 2013]

I never heard of this film until my college roommate told me to check it out. I didn't find the movie overly hilarious in its humor department or overly dramatic in its drama sections BUT I really enjoyed this movie. It's entertaining enough where I didn't feel robbed watching it and it will definitely be a movie I will watch again.

The story is fun and interesting, Kevin Costner is great in his role and, for a directorial debut, it's pretty damn fantastic.

The movie has its obvious problems but I never found them to be to distracting from the heart of the story that involved some friends trying to escape the reality of being drafted into a war that will forever be remembered as the one where Lt. Dan lost his legs.

Despite some issues, the movie is fairly decent and even has some pretty cool airplane stunts in it that would, in today's age, probably be achieved with computer effects. Overall, I enjoyed this one.

The best comedy of Warner Bros.

[afonsobritofalves · 7/10 · 6 October 2018]

Without a doubt, one of the best comedy productions that Warner Bros. A true masterpiece we should all see at least once, full of good jokes; In addition, this film has a fantastic soundtrack, a cast, bonuses characters and a really good argument. One of the best productions of Steven Spielberg. Highly recommend.

Still one of the best

[GTinsdale · 10/10 · 10 January 2005]

A very underrated and under-seen film - thanks to the clods at Amblin (presumably because no one in the cast resembled an alien). Great acting, writing, and directing (from Kevin Reynolds). One of the only films Costner has ever acted in where he didn't resemble a stick of wood. I love this movie through and through. The sky diving scene (which is apparently what the film is built around, Reynolds' student film 'Proof') is fantastically funny from beginning to end. Marvin J. McIntyre is a true hero. GREAT soundtrack from beginning to end. The opening credits alone are worth the price of the rental. And the climax scene at Waggner's wedding is one of the most romantic and sensitive wedding scenes ever committed to film.

Don't miss it.

A Desert Fellowship?

[vertigo_14 · 7/10 · 11 April 2004]

Despite what a previous viewer had written, even women can enjoy Fandango. I'm one of them.

The story is set in 1971, during that despicable Vietnam war. Five college buddies (one of whom you never see much of as he is passed out for nearly all of the journey) known as the Groovers, most of whom are a bunch of pretty wild, carefree guys, are ready for just one final adventure before the group disbands and goes their separate ways. They're off to the desert to dig up 'Dom,' which symbolizes the beginning and end of the Groovers. Their adventure into the desert forces some pretty tough realizations about themselves and their futures.

Kevin Costner is the leader of the group, Gardner Barnes. And for him, life is just a party. Judd Nelson is Phil Hick's, a real nerd and a nagger as he is the group's overactive superego. Sam Robards is Kenneth Wagner, a quiet indecisive guy who makes a habit out of avoiding responsibility. Chuck Bush, my favorite Groover, is Dorman, a large quiet guy with a great sense of humor. And, lastly, there is Lester (Brian Cesak) who appears mostly as the guy dozing on the backseat dash.

The Groover's desert adventures/life's lessons are pretty zany and make the movie absolutely hilarious. And that goes triple for the scene where the Groovers bet Phil Hicks, straight-laced rule abider, to jump out of a plane and prove that he is not a giant "Weenie." His pilot is one of the funniest characters in the whole movie -- a sincere pothead named Truman Sparks, who is the parachute school teacher. I think it's the best sequence in the whole movie.

All the while, the Groovers know this is going to be their last chance at pure fun as two have been drafted (Gardner and Ken) and one enlisted (Phil) into that damned deathtrap, the Vietnam War, which appears to be a constant reminder every step of the way of the Groover's adventures.

It was a funny movie the second time I saw this movie. I never liked it much the first time around because I don't really like Kevin Costner movies. I thought he did a fine job here as charming Gardner Barnes.

One of the best of the genre; fantastic yet oddly underrated

[sydtech · 10/10 · 30 May 1999]

I stumbled across this movie years ago while flipping thru the channels late one night, and instantly fell in love with it. It's easily one of the best movies of the genre; there's an emotional resonance here that's hard to come by in any movie, let alone one that *appears* to be a standard coming-of-age/buddy/road-trip flick.

It's also (in my humble opinion) probably Kevin Costner's finest piece of work next to 'Dances With Wolves'. Costner's role as Gardner is one that seems perfectly suited to him; I can imagine anyone else being able to pull it off.

The soundtrack is *perfect*, especially the wedding sequence - besides being a great flick, this movie turned me on to Pat Metheny! The soundtrack, unfortunately, was never released, although I liked the movie enough to assemble the tracks individually.

This is one of those rare movies that leaves one with a nice afterglow, even after many viewings....much like 'Diner' or 'American Graffiti'. I've seen 'Fandango' way too many times to count, and am on my second or third VHS copy - I'm hoping this comes out on DVD sometime soon....

Split personality no brainer can't make up its mind

[=G= · 6/10 · 9 August 2001]

"Fandango" tells of a bunch of college buddies who take a last blast road trip before jumping headlong into adult life. The film is a concatenation of situations which run the gamut from comedy to romance to action to drama giving itself a disjointed "feel" while diluting its worth in any one genre. Entertaining nonetheless, "Fandango" will work best for young males audiences.

Waterworld was Better

[Bob_Zerunkel · 3/10 · 14 July 2009]

If you like movies about a man in turmoil, acted by a man with little expression, then this is your movie. Keanu Reeves could take lessons from Costner about how to shout and keep your voice at a conversational volume. If you're one of those people who finds deep meaning in anything Costner says, then boy, oh boy, will you be happy with this poorly written American Graffiti knockoff about 5 guys who choose to be losers for no apparent reason.

On a positive note, the aging post-hippies are right: the music is exceptional.

Costner, once again, in a movie about a man with conflicted emotions. What a stretch!

Fantastic coming-of-age road movie

[delcielo · 10/10 · 14 February 2005]

Five friends (the self-named "groovers") go on one final fandango before graduating college and going on to life, war, marriage, etc. Their destination is the Texas desert where they plan to dig up Dom, the friend they buried on the night their group was formed.

The film is a wonderful mix of poignant life lessons and slapstick hilarity. The crew consists of slacker Gardner, life-troubled kenneth, weenie extraordinaire Phil, overweight divinity student Dorman, and unconscious Lester (the fifth groover). As they wind their way through the Texas scrub on their last adventure, each of them faces the approaching life after college in his own way, reacting to his fears and the failings of his friends in the draft years of the Vietnam War.

An unknown Kevin Costner pulls off the role of Gardner Barnes with an easy perfection that would convince you there must be something of Gardner in him. He's utterly convincing as the footloose rascal on a mission to evade life.

The other performances are respectable, including that of Judd Nelson in the role of uptight ROTC cadet Phil Hicks who despises the moral ambiguity of the other characters while starving for their affection.

Though this movie is not a well-known blockbuster, it holds up well against others of the same genre. Definitely worth the price of a rental, and with the February 2005 DVD release, a good addition to your collection. Good music, good humor, and great fun.

Fairly dull pseudo-nostalgia

[Groverdox · 6/10 · 26 November 2018]

"Fandango" is a nostalgia flick about a group of college graduates who have a little road trip right before they have to face oblivion in the form of Vietnam and marriage.

It's mostly pretty dull. Only two of the four characters connect: Kevin Costner in an early starring role, and Judd Nelson as a proto-nerd. The other two don't do much, even though one is played by Sam Robards - son of Jason AND Lauren Bacall.

The movie does boast one fantastic sequence when Nelson goes parachuting with a hippie-hermit who packed laundry instead of a parachute.

The sky-diving scene partly resurrects a really ordinary flick

[subiaco · 2/10 · 29 January 1999]

I have to agree with another user comment that (i) this is one of the few Kevin Costner performances that one is able to stomach and (ii) the sky-diving scene is a classic, but as for the rest of this "B-grade" drivel.. the less said the better. College failures go on a mega-tour of Texas in order to avoid a wedding, avoid the draft, tell their mate what a "wheenie" he is and find & trash a bottle of hot Dom Perignon! This is funny??? The soundtrack is good??? Saturday Night's Allright For Fightin' is about the only decent track in it. Not a good effort!

Great guy flick...and more.

[jshankbu84 · 27 April 2000]

I hate to sound like a broken record, but this is my favorite movie of all time. I lost track a long time ago as to how many times I have seen this movie on tape. What a GREAT MOVIE. Kevin Reynolds clearly has this nailed down. Fandango is a movie about 5 fraternity brothers in the early 1970's who call themselves the 'Groovers', who decide to take off on a 'fairwell fandango' as a college graduation right of passage. We learn that they did the same 'fandango' earlier in their collegiate years, and in part, the purpose of this trip is to dig up a relic of that first adventure as the way to close out this chapter of their lives. Along the way, they take part in some wild adventures, deal with being drafted into the war in Vietnam, and meet some unique characters, all of which become the subject of the movie.

I love this movie for a number of reasons. #1, it takes me back to my collegiate days, and the craziness that seemed to define them. #2, it allows me to appreciate the people that populated each and every moment of college, as the characters in Fandango are eerily reminiscent of the fraternity brothers, classmates and band members that I spent 4 years of my life with. #3, it makes me realize that life is fairly short, and if we do it right...we'll be the better because of it.

The music in the movie seems tailored for every scene, even though there are cuts from great artists like Blind Faith, Elton John and Pat Metheney. In particular, the Metheney works in the film stand out. I cannot help but think of the wedding and final scenes when I am listening to Metheney's cuts from his 'Wichita Falls' and 'Works' tapes.

I would highly recommend this movie to anyone who wants to strip off the baggage in life for an hour and a half one weekend, flip the pages back a few years(or more) to the days that were more innocent and raw, and think about the people that were so important to you as you grew up into adulthood. And if you happen to like the shape of Texas like I do, you'll appreciate this movie even more.(see the movie and you'll know what I am talking about) Go ahead....take this wild ride for all its worth. You will not regret it!!

Prefer to Remember

[RARubin · 6/10 · 17 April 2006]

Here's another youth film recommended to me because I'm writing a book on the subject. Fandango is John Hughized by Kevin Reynolds seven years after Animal House defined frat life in the 1960-78 period. Judd Nelson plays the rich kid with the Flounder like Cadillac to destroy on a road trip. Nelson is a nebbish, future Viet Nam bound Officer. He's trying to improve his resume while fighting self-doubt and cowardice. Weren't we all? I liked the Texas, Austin angle in Fandango. Kevin Costner, thin and handsome with a drawling twang essentially propels himself to stardom in this vehicle as the worldly, cynical, fast talking frat boy leader. Chuck Bush is another Texas hunk who has dumped his girl at the alter although she had a fling with the Costner character sometime in the near past. Suzy Amis looks pretty, but does not have one line in the film.

These college films depict with comical exaggeration hedonistic behavior during the last period in youth where one can act like a child and it's rather expected. So while mom and dad dream of the kid's future career as an accountant, the kid is drunk with his girlfriend on top of a pile of beer cans. Ah, those formative years. The trouble is: films like Fandango are not about the choices of adulthood; these films glorify the unforgettable friendships of fleeting childhood, and that's what we old farts prefer to remember.

Above average, that's all

[woodsie-4 · 6/10 · 8 June 2006]

As most people commenting here, I stumbled on this film while channel-hopping late one night, and I was pleasantly surprised. Sadly, that doesn't mean that Fandango is a good film, just that it was a cut above normal 3am-midweek fare, but in Mexico, the competition is rank awful.

Fandango is a breezy coming-of-age roadmovie that barrels along at a decent pace, which ticks the boxes and holds the interest but slips too often into cliché and simplistic juxtaposition to deserve the over-heated praise I see in the rest of the comments. Just because a movie slips through the net, doesn't automatically make it a 10 star attraction! And yes, Kevin Costner does a decent enough turn, which is to say he isn't toe-curlingly bad as he becomes in his later films, but how far can you praise an actor for being bearable, for once? It's interesting to see that the movie was born from a shorter work, as this is how it comes across - a series of set-pieces that are internally too long and not strung together convincingly enough. Better editing would have made a more coherent story come together, as it is we are left with four engaging if one-dimensional characters forced to dance from one scene to another to the tune of the director's hard-ground organ.

In summary, bright and breezy and yes, occasionally reflective, but unbalanced and unconvincing.

A Personal Favorite

[dafoat · 10/10 · 21 June 2018]

This movie holds a special place in my heart. I watched it for the first time in high school with one of my best friends. We spent our college years endlessly quoting it to each other. I revisit it every few years, and always take away something new. It's wonderfully acted, and brilliantly edited and shot. It perfectly captures that bittersweet moment when youth ends and adulthood begins. Its swagger hides a real vulnerability and melancholy. Really a lovely little film.

Funny and poignant

[flakcfan · 7/10 · 6 June 2002]

This treasure can be hard to find, but worth the while of anyone who does. A great up-and-coming cast (including a very young Kevin Costner) collectively delivered performances that were funny and poignant. You don't have to have grown up in this era to appreciate this movie!

About to leave your 18th year and your friends behind you, riding an old 50ies beauty to nowhere and learning to fly...

[fedtho · 9/10 · 27 December 2001]

It starts looking cool enough, I thought, although not overwhelmingly original: under a blue, blue sky, four young guys, as different as can be, drive to seemingly nowhere in a beautiful car from the roaring fifties. Singing, drinking, screaming. It looks like they're having a lot of fun, which of course will prove to be a doomed mood: their lives are suspended between youth and whatever comes next, just like them driving in the middle of Texas' desert landscapes with the unlikely goal of attending one of the mates' wedding... Everything is on the verge of changing for them; their friendship, the way they lead their lives, the way they consider the future.

What Kevin Reynolds achieves here masterfully is making the whole thing look, at first, like just another buddy-movie. Yet I think there is a lot more to it. Fun, slapstick, grotesque situations, and still, every time or so, we're given a hint that those people have no idea where they're going, that they try to ignore the (real) world that's waiting for them.

The one most representative of that borderline state and who remains, by default, the big brother telling the others where to go next, is Gardner Barnes, played by Kevin Costner. Very young-looking (to whoever, like me, hasn't seen him in a picture made 16 years ago), he radiates a kind of natural quality, telling us he may just be the most frightened and unsure one of those four mostly-losers. Anyone who has apreciated Costner in at least one movie should definitely have a look at this one.

There'll never be anything even remotely tragic in this story, nor any solid insight into any of those old kids. Not even into Gardner, the one with a haunting love on his mind, who claims he's never token a woman seriously. Some moments might strike you as either clichee, heavy or childish... Yet, after the finale, Reynolds has gotten us where we're supposed to be: feeling the dry cut apart from the time where our dreams where, to ourselves, a solid option for what our future might look like. The loss of what kept the world together until this very moment.

I should add that, having listened precisely in my beginning twenties to the Pat Metheny Group like mad, I was totally taken away when the whole wedding scene appeared to be choreographed around two of his magic compositions.

This movie has something fresh, universal, sincere. It's full of ideas and benefits from a truly inventive photography as well as a from a perfectly well-tuned rythm.

Anyone on a day where he feels up to re-live those cheers AND nostalgia, in the company of a bunch of excellent actors, would do himself a favor by taking a while to watch it. And, maybe, reconciliate with that little mix of sadness and joy we think we should have left behind us.

Fundango

[thesar-2 · 7/10 · 19 July 2009]

What a gem I accidentally caught on cable one night. Well, sort of. I tuned in at about 20-30 minutes into 'Fandango' and watched about 15 minutes of it, enough to rent from net-flix and of course, watched the entire movie. I'm amazed on how little it made (per boxofficemojo.com ) as it really was a good movie. A very pre-'Thelma & Louise' (note: road trip, on way to Mexico, running from something, and of course the car and location – Texas) and pre-'The Hangover' (note: guys who don't want to grow up, drinking, getting into trouble, seeking adventure and 1 member "out" for nearly the length of the film), 'Fandango' follows 5 boys/men for a weekend getaway (almost literally) in Texas, after some being drafted to Vietnam in the early 1970s. Each with their unique personalities, everyone did a great job of acting and showing depth. The one impractical stand out was Costner and as young as he looked in this film (1985), it reminded me of the film coming out later in the year – 'Back to the Future' with Michael J Fox certainly not looking the age they're portraying. But aside from that, it was interesting enough learning about these young men, wants, needs and growth. The best and most humorous of the bunch, was Bush's barely-a-word-spoken character Dorman who seemed just along for the ride. For about 90% of the film, you really feel you're with them for the ride. (Spoilers) The only unfortunate downfall of the film was the highly unrealistic closing involving a Carrot-Top flight/chase scene and an entire town involved in a surprise wedding. Also, regardless of the time it was set/produced, it thoroughly all but encourages drinking and driving, or even smoking pot while flying. Humorous, perhaps, but still not a good advertisement.

The only thing alive in this movie is the soundtrack

[Idocamstuf · 5/10 · 8 May 2003]

This movie started out very well, but about 20 minutes into the film it started to get very boring. Im surprised it has 1400 votes, because the box office and business says it only made $75,000, I thought movies that make that little money are the ones that have like 90 votes. Anyway, this movie really has no point and thats one thing that makes a movie bad. Although the soundtrack was very impressive, including classic songs from Elton John, Carly Simon, Bryan Adams, and many more. Not totally unwatchable but close. ** out of ****(the second star is for the soundtrack.

Wonderful. Absolutely Wonderful.

[isabel-10 · 10/10 · 2 June 1999]

Love it - Even tho it's hard to say exactly WHY...

It might be the fantastic soundtrack, the great shots, the skydiving scene, the wedding scene that makes me cry, the use of 'Can't Find My Way Home" by Blind Faith (one of my favorite songs) -- but this film is in my top 5 of all time.

Occasionally you have to suspend your disbelief to the point of it being painful, but the honesty, the great acting, and the unpretentious feeling of the film and the actors completely draws me in every time.

Go rent or buy it. Now. If you ever wanted to throw away all of the pressures and responsibilities of life, only to find yourself choosing to go back to them, you'll love this movie.

Nice film...

[eschmidt-3 · 7/10 · 3 October 2005]

If you liked Kevin Costner in Tin Cup and (to a degree) Bull Durham, this movie is where those characters were born. It's a raw buddy film that nicely shows the desperation of young men who can see the ending of an era rapidly approaching. They are forced to decide if their college persona will define them for the rest of their lives. While you have to like Gardner (Costner) and get caught up in his charms, you clearly see his tragic flaw. He is Peter Pan and the other Groovers are the Darling children. He can't grow up and is consequently headed for a life much harder than his obvious intellect and natural leadership qualities could otherwise offer him. There are some funny scenes, some painful scenes, and several extremely poignant scenes. In the end, choices are made and the era comes to a somewhat unceremonious end. By the way, toward the end, some of the music from Pat Metheny's album, "As Falls Wichita, So Falls Wichita Falls" makes a perfect cameo.

Finally, if you watch this film, and you're under 40, you better not be much under 40

Simply annoying.

[squadmp · 1/10 · 8 June 2006]

I really fail to understand why some believe this is a good movie. From the very beginning you can feel that you are simply up to a film without any sense.

This movie is about five friends (even though one of the simply plays no role in the film) that go in a trip to find "Dom", something they hid long ago near the border with Mexico.

The idea of the movie is neither original nor is it well developed. You constantly get a feeling of despair because the plot is dumbly unbelievable. The events that this group goes through are totally unchained one from another, without mentioning that the whole idea of their trip and the stubbornness of one of the members of the group is simply annoying. I must admit that the movie gets a little better while approaching towards the end, but that doesn't make it a good film at all.

I don't recommend watching or renting this movie unless you're up to seeing a very predictable, no depth-in-plot film.