Fandango (1985)

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.

Director:

Kevin Reynolds

Writer:

Kevin Reynolds

Stars:

Kevin Costner, Judd Nelson, Sam Robards

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Kevin Costner	...	Gardner Barnes
Judd Nelson	...	Phil Hicks
Sam Robards	...	Kenneth Waggener
Chuck Bush	...	Dorman
Brian Cesak	...	Lester Griffin
Marvin J. McIntyre	...	Truman Sparks
Suzy Amis	...	The Girl
Glenne Headly	...	Trelis
Pepe Serna	...	Gas Station Mechanic
Elizabeth Daily	...	Judy
Robyn Rose	...	Lorna
Stanley Grover	...	Phil's Dad
Jane A. Johnston	...	Phil's Mom
Don Brunner	...	Heckler #1
Michael Conn	...	Heckler #2

Storyline

It's 1971 at the University of Texas, Austin. College buddies, facing graduation, marriage, and the draft, skip out of their own graduation party and head to the Mexican border for some adventure, a buried secret, and one last go-around at "the privileges of youth".

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Plot Keywords:

based on short film | college | texas | trip | vomiting | 

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Taglines:

It's the privilege of youth.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 January 1985 (USA)

Also Known As:

Фанданго

Filming Locations:

Alpine, Texas, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$50,437, 27 January 1985, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$91,666

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros., Amblin Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

91 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The aerial chase scene between Truman's plane and a police helicopter was shot in and around Tulsa, Oklahoma. The scene is supposed to take place in Dallas, but the filmmakers couldn't secure permission to close a Dallas area freeway for shooting. The Oklahoma film authorities were more accommodating. Because of the complicated logistics, all of the flying shots had to be accomplished in single takes. According to an interview with Marvin J McIntyre, the shot where the police helicopter rises into frame next to the plane was accomplished by parking the plane next to a cliff. McIntyre sat inside pretending to pilot the plane, and the helicopter flew up below the level of the cliff, then rose into frame.

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Goofs

Right after the car screeches to a halt in front of the parachuting school sign, Hicks takes off his glasses twice.

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Quotes

Philip: Texas is really ugly, you know. I mean, what could anyone possibly like about this state?
Dorman: I like the way it's shaped.

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Connections

Referenced in Canibais e Solidão (2006)

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Soundtracks

Spooky
Written by 'Buddy Buie' (uncredited), James Cobb (uncredited), Harry Middlebrooks (uncredited) and Mike Shapiro (uncredited)
Performed by The Classics IV (as Classics IV)
Courtesy of Liberty Records

User Reviews

Great guy flick...and more.

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!!