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| Fandango
Year: 1985
Directed:
- Kevin Reynolds
Actors/Actresses:
- Kevin Costner
- Judd Nelson
A HIDDEN TREASURE THAT RUNS THE ENTIRE EMOTIONAL SPECTRUM
The saddest comment on this movie has to be that it was insufficiently promoted. I don't even remember hearing about this picture when it was released. I am fortunate that a friend shared it with me years later. I wish I'd seen it on the big screen.
This is a movie about lost innocence and youthful adventure, missed opportunities and second chances, tough decisions and Rites of Passage. Men will appreciate it for its sense of adventure... women will embrace it for its tenderness... everyone should enjoy it for its comical moments, its breath-taking scenery, and its excellent soundtrack. Thank you, Steven Spielberg, for taking a chance on this one.
Watch for the birds behind Costner's character as he delivers his plea in the bar scene. I don't know if they were set up to be in that shot or not, but I thought it was very symbolic of that particular moment in the characters' lives. I, personally, like to think that it just happened that way.
As for Leonard Maltin's claim that this film was uneven, well... I think he's right. But this was, after all, a movie about life, and life tends to be "uneven".
Watch this movie...it's the privilege of youth!
I'll join the other reviewers who say that this is probably the best coming-of-age movie ever made. Or in the top five at least. This low-budget movie has so many great scenes that the $100 million movies made today (the kind Kevin Costner makes now) wouldn't even think of. The three leads give the best performances of their careers - in no other movie does Kevin Costner appear to be so into his character and not 'acting'. Watching this movie really makes one yearn for their youth. I realize now (at 38) that youth IS wasted on the young! I've always loved this movie - seeing it for the first time when I was in my early twenties. But now I watch it in a different way. I realize that some parts of life should be frozen in time somehow, in order to enjoy them again and again. The best scenes in the movie:<BR>1) The opening scene when Gardner Barnes (Kevin Costner) rips Suzy Amis' half of the picture off and says "Almost, darling, but not quite."<BR>2) When Gardner and Kenneth (Sam Robards) are laughing and having a great time having a bottle rocket fight in the cemetery and fall in front of a recently buried Marine killed in Vietnam. This scene is so poignant. Gardner's comment, "Sorry, friend." leads into a great scene. Gardner and Kenneth turn and look at the lights and smoke from the bottle rockets and realize that a battle in Vietnam must be something like that.<BR>3) The dance scene at the end - has an instrumental song ever been put to better use than "It's For You" by Pat Metheny? And the way the others in the crowd fade out little by little...a great scene.<BR>4) The entire parachute school sequence - enough said!<BR>5) The end scenes...I get teary eyed each time I watch this ending...I used to wish a sequel would be made but now I realize that the ending couldn't be improved upon. I think having Kenneth and the Girl (Suzy Amis) leave without telling Gardner goodbye makes sense. The final scene with Gardner making a toast to his friends (which we viewers know he'll probably never see again) is a classic.<BR>6) Aw, heck...the whole movie. I can watch this film over and over (and have, probably 50 times in the last 15 years or so) and never tire of it. Don't miss it. It is truly a wonderful film.
A Underrated Coming of Age Classic
This first collaboration between director Reynolds and star Costner has always been little known and under rated by critics. The Groovers, five college grads in the early 70's, take a final wild road trip before facing real life for the first time. There are several extremley funny episodes that pit the characters views of life and values against each other. For me though, the dramatic undertone and bittersweet sacrifice of Barnes, the groups carefree leader, in the name of friendship, makes this film unforgettable. It always reminds me of my old friends and wild days. The last scence is one of my favorites. Anyone who remembers the lost passion of youth and friendships that you thought would always last will love this movie as much as I do.l
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