IMDb RATING
6.7/10
8.8K
YOUR RATING
Five college buddies from the University of Texas circa 1971 embark on a final road trip odyssey across the Mexican border before facing up to uncertain futures, in Vietnam and otherwise.Five college buddies from the University of Texas circa 1971 embark on a final road trip odyssey across the Mexican border before facing up to uncertain futures, in Vietnam and otherwise.Five college buddies from the University of Texas circa 1971 embark on a final road trip odyssey across the Mexican border before facing up to uncertain futures, in Vietnam and otherwise.
Don Brunner II
- Heckler #1
- (as Don Brunner)
Karl A. Wickman
- Helicopter Pilot
- (as Karl Wickman)
- Director
- Writer
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe movie is based on a short student film directed by Kevin Reynolds when he was in USC film school. The student film is basically just the skydiving sequence, based on a true story. Steven Spielberg, having seen the student film Proof (1980), recruited Reynolds to direct a full-length movie based on it.
- GoofsAccording to the date shown on the screen at the beginning, the movie takes place in May 1971. One of the first songs we hear at the frat house is Elton John's "Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting", which wasn't released until 1973.
- ConnectionsFeatured in A Night with Suzy Amis Cameron (2020)
- SoundtracksBadge
Written by Eric Clapton and George Harrison
Performed by Cream
Courtesy of PolyGram Special Projects, a Division of PolyGram Records, Inc.
Featured review
One of Kevin Costners' best performances.
"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.
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.
helpful•40
- Hey_Sweden
- Jun 2, 2019
- How long is Fandango?Powered by Alexa
Details
Box office
- Budget
- $7,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $91,666
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $50,437
- Jan 27, 1985
- Gross worldwide
- $91,666
- Runtime1 hour 31 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1
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