Fandango (1985)

You won't be disappointed!

There are better movies of two hours length. I loved the actress'performance.

It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.

The storyline feels a little thin and moth-eaten in parts but this sequel is plenty of fun.

"Fandango" is one of those hard films to review and rate. Half part of the footage is funny and entertaining, but the other half is just boring and pointless. How to analyze a film like that?When you're going to watch a movie involving single guys traveling around, you'd expect it to have lots of fun-- and probably parties with girls. But here things don't happen that well. The only enjoyable things these guys did was trying to get a ride from a train in movement-- which didn't work, but happened to be a funny scene-- and a parachute jump out. These, along with the car discussion scene, are the only moments that I felt entertained and interested in the story. The rest of the time I could barely pay attention to what was happening, since the plot was quite weak. There's one guy of the group of friends that doesn't even talk; her job is only drink and toast beer-- and show his big paunch. However, we have a feel good ending which reminded me of some friends I haven't seen in a while-- but that's another story.

"There's nothing wrong with going nowhere, son. It's a privilege of youth": I think this quote may best summarize "Fandango", which gives much to think about, also in comparison to what is considered the first of all road pictures, "Easy rider". The myth and the out of time fashion of these road trips along US highways, still today pulsing with sense of liberty, is an element of attraction for the public of every time, mainly if accompanied by some good and emotionally powerful music. "Easy rider" was set in the 60's, when the myth of liberty was at its height, it was the celebration of the hippie era, of an ideology and watching it after 40 years, conveys a sense of tenderness towards the ingenuity of these bikers going nowhere, believing in freedom from all constrictions but unconscious of what they were really looking for. "Fandango" is set in 1971 but shot in 1985, US and universal history have taught a lot of things, and what is evident there, mainly in contrast with "Easy rider", is the deep consciousness of these mates, they perfectly know what they are looking for, they want to escape from what is hanging over their future lives, knowing that the myth of life on the road has lost all credibility. It is more a celebration of youth, of an age when you think that friendship and fun will last for ever, but you know that time must come to an end, and you need to do something, in this case an unforgettable road-trip, in order to postpone that end and escape from the forthcoming adulthood. Fandango, although extremely funny, almost irreverent, in situations and dialogues, leaves traces of deep nostalgia, and melancholia, pervaded as it is by such fear about life, in terms of responsibility, burdens, troubles. The skydiving adventure meant as the most extreme searching for life, and a desperate way to exorcise the coming of adulthood, is the most effective moment of the movie. Fandango shows some clichés, which however are part of this kind of movies, it is deeply American in the passionate way it celebrates life, freedom and the feeling of being "born to be wild", through a strong visual impact. However, it is undoubtedly entertaining, moving, thought-provoking, and emotionally engaging: really worth seeing, at least only for the wonderful locations, which frame very good performances, mainly a young and deserving Kevin Costner.

If you like the movie.....check out ultimate fandango.com and visit our chat site. We are planning Ultimate Fandango 2010 to tour the movie locations in West Texas on the 25th anniversary of the release. Come join us. I first saw this movie in 1986 and it is still my favorite movie today. I was raised in West Texas and have been to the locations where the movie was filmed. I have friends that were in and worked on the movie. There has been no better coming-of-age comedy made since we were introduced to Kevin Costner in Fandango. Judd Nelson also turned in his best career on-screen performance as an about-to-be-Army Lieutenant reluctantly providing the vehicle for "The Groovers" last road trip. The quest to"dig up Dom" would seal forever these friendships and "the privileges of youth" they shared during their time at Texas University. Many flat out hilarious moments are provided in Fandango, along with some thought provoking and even chilling glimpses into young adult life in 1970's war torn America. See Fandango because you like great performances in a well done comedy. Watch it every few years just to remind you how much fun it was to be 22 years old when seeing past the day in front of you was completely optional.

I first saw this movie as a young, nine or ten year-old impressionable kid, so there are some sentimental attachments to this. This movie is very clever. As a comedy, it's amazing; some of the ideas (the parachute scene, for example) are absolutely genius. On top of all this is an amazing soundtrack, in which each song fits each scene eerily beautifully. When I first saw this movie I had just started guitar lessons and was leaning toward hard rock. This movie turned me on to some other heavy, tear-jerker type songs in "It's too late" (Carole King) and "Can't find my way home" by Blind Faith. Beautiful stuff. One of the few Elton John songs I like, "Saturday night's alright" as well as "Spooky" are perfectly placed. But nothing is placed as perfect as Pat Metheney's "It's for you". Now, I was a hard rocker and had only heard of Metheney when I saw this. This tune is so beautiful and haunting on it's own, and where it is in the movie, I almost dare you not to cry. Someone I know thought the movie was also sad, so it'ts unique. I would still classify it as a comedy more than anything. Funny stuff.