Fandango poster & wallpaper

Brian Cesak, Chuck Bush, Glenne Headly

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 fo...( read more  read more... )r 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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75% liked it

4,872 ratings

PG, 90 min.

Directed by: Kevin Reynolds

Release Date: January 25, 1985

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DVD Release Date: February 15, 2005

Stats: 246 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (246)

  • DrBenway
    May 2, 2009
    DrBenway
    A refreshing coming of age film dealing with college graduates in 1972. This is an ideal movie for a lazy sunday afternoon with Kevin Costner coming off as completely charming and Judd Nelson in one of my personal favorite roles. Nice soundtrack and hilarious scenes evenly balan...( read more)ced with drama concerning the journey to visit their old friend, Dom.

    Fandango is reminiscent of American Graffiti on a smaller scale but with the same sense of nostalgia and impending lost youth. It's definitely worth renting for a special moment at the beginning of Costner's and Reynolds careers when they were both young unknowns. It's refreshing to be reminded at how subtle and flexible Costner could be then, and at how good a debut the film was for Reynolds.
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  • kenstachnik
    January 28, 2008
    kenstachnik
    Easy Rider meets Animal House with Kevin Costner and Judd Nelson.

    What's not to enjoy?
  • bbcfloridabound
    January 3, 2009
    bbcfloridabound
    I was amazed at how you this all star cast was, One thing wasn't 1985 a little late to be filming movies about going off to the Vietnam war, I mean we pulled out of there in 1973, so what was the real point of this movie. It was funny, like the sky blue Cadillac with the truck fr...( read more)ont clip. I watched it because I am checking out all of Suzy Amis Movies and this was her first after he start on Miami Vice Episode 2 or 3 1st Season (She played penny). Anyway she was the girl in this movie and still very pretty. I'd rent it and save the $3.00 its only worth.
  • dking131
    September 21, 2009
    dking131
    A must see for any one that has been to college and on a road trip.
  • nicnic761
    November 26, 2008
    nicnic761
    classic made me laugh
  • dark4une
    June 22, 2008
    dark4une
    This has to be one of my favorite road trip movies, I have watched it so many times I can't count it picks me up when I'm feeling down.
  • brothahawk
    June 7, 2008
    brothahawk
    So... can i get some showtimes?
  • lebowski1190
    June 2, 2008
    lebowski1190
    Great coming of age film that's gone unnoticed, but will always have a cult following.
  • hcbieler73
    April 28, 2008
    hcbieler73
    This is an awesomely funny movie starring a very young Kevin Costner and Judd Nelson... What makes this movie so great is that is does not have to go over the top to be funny. And the music just makes the film.....the best scenes in the move are set to such great songs as Carol K...( read more)ing's 'It's too late' and Steppenwolf's 'Born to be Wild'
  • phoenixhearted
    April 24, 2008
    phoenixhearted
    this was filmed close to where i live...i saw most of it, im suprise my mother doesnt own this one.

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Fandango Trivia

  • What actor starred in the movie Fandango.  Answer »
  • What movie is this quote from? "There's nothing wrong with going nowhere, son, its a privilage of youth."  Answer »
  • Which Brat Packer starred in these movies? Fandango New Jack City Cabin by the Lake Making the Grade  Answer »
  • The movie's wild stripper-thon is all boozing, brawling, and booty-shaking, plus a pimpish cat named Fandango.  Answer »
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