Fandango | Kevin Costner, Judd Nelson

Fandango | Kevin Costner, Judd Nelson | Fandango

DVDs:

Fandango

	Fandango Kevin Costner, Judd Nelson Warner Home Video, 2005 average customer review:based on 116 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

An unknown Kevin Costner is magnetic in this entertaining road picture that bypassed most theaters when it was released in 1985. On the eve of their college graduation in 1972, five students go off for one last road trip together to righteously celebrate the privilege of youth. Kevin Reynolds expanded his grad-school film to make this one, which he also directed, and it caught the eye of Steven Spielberg, who made Fandango one of his first projects at the newly formed Amblin. Costner's charisma is undeniable in his first lead performance as Gardner Barnes, the free bird of the group. Barnes applauds buddy Kenneth's (Sam Robards) decision to cancel his wedding and now is talking him into dodging the draft. But lost love drives Gardner, too, and we see dreams of an abandoned beauty (Suzy Amis). Others in the car include stick-in-the-mud Judd Nelson (in his best performance), who is gung ho for fulfilling his duty in Vietnam, and the soft giant Dorman (Chuck Bush). Reynolds's aggressive camera style and great use of music (Elton John's "Saturday Night's Alright (for Fighting)" and Blind Faith's "Can't Find My Way Home" bookend the picture) make this film zing along. Reynolds and Costner went on to film (and fight off-screen) two more pictures, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves and Waterworld, but they were never better together than in this first film. Being hungry Hollywood unknowns does have certain advantages. --Doug Thomas

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My favorite movie

This movie inspires me on so many levels. It is funny in places, but in others touching. The parts with the "firefight" in the cemetery, the plane landing at sunset and Kevin Costner on the hill as the lights turn off from the wedding were already mentioned. They're excellent. But the part the touches me the most is when the two characters are standing in front of the burned out cantina and the birds fly off in the background. That's their innocence. I was young then. I graduated from college and I also remember going to good bye parties at the La Hasenda as each of my friends became 1-A and was drafted. That is, until I got drafted myself. Give it as a gift to someone from that era. I know it'll touch their heart too.

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Fandango

One of my favorite movies of Kevin Costner. It's a funny, feel-good movie with some silly moments that crack you up. And a great selection of songs in the movie, too.

BEEN THERE!

IF GARDNER IS STILL ALIVE, HE IS TURNING 60 THIS YEAR AND LOOKING BACK ON HIS LIFE AS WE ALL SOMETIMES DO. AS DID GARDNER, I WALKED AWAY FROM THE WOMAN I SHOULD HAVE MARRIED WHEN I GRADUATED FROM COLLEGE, AND TO THIS DAY WONDER HOW IT COULD HAVE BEEN....THIS MOVIE RESONATES WITH ME ON SO MANY LEVELS THAT TIME AND SPACE DO NOT ALLOW. IT IS A TALE OF A SIMPLER TIME THAT WE CAN NEVER CAPTURE AGAIN, AND YET IS AS FRESH TODAY AS IT WAS WHEN IT WAS MADE. I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR THE DVD FOR YEARS, HOPING MY VHS LASTED THE DURATION. SIT DOWN WITH AND OLD FRIEND....LAUGH, CRY AND JUST HAVE A PLAIN GOOD OLE TIME! ....AND IF IT MAKES YOU FEEL JUST A LITTLE IRRESPONSIBLE, WELL AS GARDNER SAYS, "SOMEONE HAS TO BE!"

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I've seen it 20 times...

... and finally bought my own copy! Wonderful music and great casting make this a modern American classic!

Fandango for real!

I first saw this film one late night on HBO in the late 80's. As the opening credits started to roll I just started smiling because it was like watching my friends and I at that same age. Fandngo for real if you would. From the "Car Surfing" to the "Roman Candle" fight in the cemetary the film was basically showing a biography of our lives. Five friends who were closer than brothers, didn't always get along but were always there for each other. We too would go on unplanned road trips and do crazy things like that. It brought back a lot of great, fun memories.

I like the fact that the film wasn't over produced and is a bit gritty. The soundtrack is phenominal and the cast fit the characters perfectly. It portrays that small transition area between being a crazy college "kid" and finally "growing up" and learning that all our lives change as we become responsible adults. Just a fun little movie that I think many people could relate to. - Riley Connell

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