''Fandango'' is a 1985 American

comedy film A comedy film is a category of film which emphasizes humor. These films are designed to make the audience laugh through amusement. Films in this style traditionally have a happy ending ( black comedy being an exception). Comedy is one of the o ...

directed by Kevin Reynolds. It was originally a student film titled ''Proof'' made by Reynolds while he was attending

USC USC most often refers to: * University of South Carolina, a public research university ** University of South Carolina System, the main university and its satellite campuses ** South Carolina Gamecocks, the school athletic program * University of ...

film school. It was a parody of Greek life at his alma mater

Baylor University Baylor University is a private Baptist Christian research university in Waco, Texas. Baylor was chartered in 1845 by the last Congress of the Republic of Texas. Baylor is the oldest continuously operating university in Texas and one of th ...

. However, due to his father's presidency at Baylor, he did not wish to portray the Baptist institution in an unfavorable light and gave it the alternative distinction as the

University of Texas The University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin, UT, or Texas) is a public research university in Austin, Texas. It was founded in 1883 and is the oldest institution in the University of Texas System. With 40,916 undergraduate students, 11,075 ...

. The film is now a cult classic.

Steven Spielberg Steven Allan Spielberg (; born December 18, 1946) is an American director, writer, and producer. A major figure of the New Hollywood era and pioneer of the modern blockbuster, he is the most commercially successful director of all time. Sp ...

saw the film and helped fund a feature-length comedy/drama about five college students from

Texas Texas (, ; Spanish: ''Texas'', ''Tejas'') is a state in the South Central region of the United States. At 268,596 square miles (695,662 km2), and with more than 29.1 million residents in 2020, it is the second-largest U.S. state by ...

in 1971 who go on a "last road trip" together, celebrating the "privilege of youth" as they face

graduation Graduation is the awarding of a diploma to a student by an educational institution. It may also refer to the ceremony that is associated with it. The date of the graduation ceremony is often called graduation day. The graduation ceremony is a ...

marriage Marriage, also called matrimony or wedlock, is a culturally and often legally recognized union between people called spouses. It establishes rights and obligations between them, as well as between them and their children, and between ...

and the draft for the

Vietnam War The Vietnam War (also known by #Names, other names) was a conflict in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. It was the second of the Indochina Wars and was officially fought between North Vie ...

. ''Fandango'' stars

Kevin Costner Kevin Michael Costner (born January 18, 1955) is an American actor, producer, film director and musician. He has received various accolades, including two Academy Awards, two Golden Globe Awards, a Primetime Emmy Award, and two Screen Actor ...

(in his first starring role, although an earlier film where he had been the lead actor, '' The Gunrunner'' had actually wrapped in 1983 but was not released until 1989), Judd Nelson and

Sam Robards Samuel Prideaux Robards (born December 16, 1961) is an American actor, best known for his role as Henry Swinton in the film ''A.I. Artificial Intelligence''. Early life and education Robards was born in New York City, the son of actor Jason Roba ...

. The soundtrack features an original score by

Alan Silvestri Alan Anthony Silvestri (born March 26, 1950) is an American composer and conductor of film and television scores. He has been associated with director Robert Zemeckis since 1984, composing music for all of his feature films including the ''Bac ...

and music by

Pat Metheny Patrick Bruce Metheny ( ; born August 12, 1954) is an American jazz guitarist and composer. He is the leader of the Pat Metheny Group and is also involved in duets, solo works, and other side projects. His style incorporates elements of progr ...

and Lyle Mays, among others. The film was released by Warner Bros. and

Amblin Entertainment Amblin Entertainment, Inc., formerly named Amblin Productions and Steven Spielberg Productions, is an American film production company founded by director and producer Steven Spielberg, and film producers Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marsha ...

on January 25, 1985, and a DVD of the film was released on February 15, 2005. ''Fandango'' marked not only the directorial debut of Reynolds but also the feature film debut of

Suzy Amis Suzy Amis Cameron (born Susan Elizabeth Amis; January 5, 1962) is an American environmental advocate, and a former actress and model. Her acting career began in 1985, known for roles in '' The Ballad of Little Jo'', ''The Usual Suspects'' and ...

, previously known primarily for her work in modeling.

Plot

In 1971, at a fraternity house on the

campus in

Austin, Texas Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of Texas, as well as the seat and largest city of Travis County, with portions extending into Hays and Williamson counties. Incorporated on December 27, 1839, it is the 11th-most-populous city ...

, Gardner Barnes (Kevin Costner) is throwing darts at a picture of himself and his ex-girlfriend Debbie (

). He rejoins the graduation party going on downstairs, but not before tearing the picture in half. Gardner is a member of a clique called the Groovers, whose other members include Kenneth Waggener (

), engaged to be married, and

ROTC The Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC ( or )) is a group of college- and university-based officer-training programs for training commissioned officers of the United States Armed Forces. Overview While ROTC graduate officers serve in al ...

geek Phil Hicks ( Judd Nelson). Phil's parents arrive at the fraternity house just in time to see another Groover named Lester (Brian Cesak) pass out (and remain unconscious for most of the film). They also meet the strong, quiet

seminary A seminary, school of theology, theological seminary, or divinity school is an educational institution for educating students (sometimes called ''seminarians'') in scripture, theology, generally to prepare them for ordination to serve as clergy ...

student Dorman ( Chuck Bush). Kenneth interrupts the festivities by announcing his student deferment has expired and he is now to be drafted into the

. Gardner is not surprised: his own notice came weeks before. Kenneth also reveals he has decided to call off his engagement to Debbie on account of being drafted. Gardner reacts with some joy and relief. The Groovers decide to celebrate their last days before the draft by going on a road trip, intending to visit a notorious roadhouse, then "dig up" someone - or something - named Dom near the

Rio Grande The Rio Grande ( and ), known in Mexico as the Río Bravo del Norte or simply the Río Bravo, is one of the principal rivers (along with the Colorado River) in the southwestern United States and in northern Mexico. The length of the Rio G ...

. They drive all night before making a rest stop. Some, including Phil, resist continuing, but Gardner presses them on. Phil's car runs out of gas and the Groovers must decide whether to walk to the nearest town or hitch. Phil is adamant about not leaving his car behind, when someone gets the idea to lasso a train passing on the railroad track parallel to the road. Dorman successfully attaches the front bumper with some fence cable to the back of the train, but the car's front end is pulled off, leaving the car in place. The Groovers push the car to a garage in the nearest town and eat at a

Sonic Drive-In Sonic Corporation, founded as Sonic Drive-In and more commonly known as Sonic (stylized as SONIC), or "The Drive-In," is an American drive-in fast food restaurant Chain store, chain owned by Inspire Brands, the parent company of Arby's and Buf ...

. They meet up with some townie girls (one of whom is played by

Elizabeth Daily Elizabeth Ann Guttman, (born September 11, 1961) better known as E. G. Daily and Elizabeth Daily, is an American actress and singer. Daily is best known for her animation voice roles as Tommy Pickles on '' Rugrats'' and its spin-off ''All Grow ...

) and eventually end up playing in a cemetery operated by one of the girls' undertaker father, where they come upon a fallen Vietnam War soldier's tombstone. They sleep at the former movie set of '' Giant''. The next morning, with the car repaired with a front end from a different make and model, the Groovers continue. Phil wants to go back, prompting Kenneth to shout angrily at him. Gardner confesses they only let Phil hang with them because they felt sorry for him. Humiliated, Phil retorts that he will take on any challenge. The group sees a sign for a

parachute A parachute is a device used to slow the motion of an object through an atmosphere by creating drag or, in a ram-air parachute, aerodynamic lift. A major application is to support people, for recreation or as a safety device for aviators, w ...

school giving jumping lessons. Gardner cons the hippie-ish instructor Truman Sparks (Marvin J. McIntyre) into giving Phil a free lesson. Phil is terrified but goes up into Truman's aircraft. However, he is carrying Truman's dirty laundry instead of a parachute. The boys try desperately to warn him from the ground without success. Fortunately, Phil is able to open the emergency chute on his stomach with much prompting from Truman by walkie-talkie. The Groovers get a picture for their efforts; Phil gets some of his wounded pride back. After discovering the charred, abandoned remains of the roadhouse, the Groovers press onward. At last they reach a bluff overlooking the Rio Grande and dig up Dom – which turns out to be a magnum of Dom Pérignon champagne. Each takes a drink before Gardner toasts to "freedom and youth." Kenneth is disheartened, having second thoughts about calling off the engagement. Pondering on the nature of love, Gardner decides to make things right. He calls Debbie, gets her to re-accept the engagement, and arranges for Truman Sparks to fly her from

Dallas Dallas () is the third largest city in Texas and the largest city in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, the fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States at 7.5 million people. It is the largest city in and seat of Dallas County ...

to the border town and back. Through some trickery, reminiscent of

stone soup Stone Soup is a European folk story in which hungry strangers convince the people of a town to each share a small amount of their food in order to make a meal that everyone enjoys, and exists as a moral regarding the value of sharing. In varyin ...

, he sets up a beautiful wedding for Kenneth and Debbie. Debbie and Gardner share one last dance after the wedding. After the ceremony, Phil gives Kenneth and Debbie his car as a wedding present. Lester goes to hitch a ride "anywhere" and Phil and Dorman shake hands before leaving. Perched atop a cliff overlooking the town and watching the wedding reception, Gardner lifts a beer in salute to his friends.

Cast

as Gardner Barnes * Judd Nelson as Phil Hicks *

as Kenneth Waggener * Chuck Bush as Dorman *

E. G. Daily Elizabeth Ann Guttman, (born September 11, 1961) better known as E. G. Daily and Elizabeth Daily, is an American actress and singer. Daily is best known for her animation voice roles as Tommy Pickles on ''Rugrats'' and its spin-off ''All Grown ...

as Judy * Brian Cesak as Lester Griffin * Marvin J. McIntyre as Truman Sparks *

as Debbie * Glenne Headly as Trelis * Stanley Grover as Phil's Dad * Jane A. Johnston as Phil's Mom *

Marco Perella Marco Perella (born May 18, 1949)Texas Birth Index, Harris County, May 18, 1949. is an American character actor and author, who has played a variety of small roles in motion pictures shot in Texas. He is best known for his role in '' Boyhood'' (2 ...

as Jester * Pepe Serna as Gas Station Mechanic

Production

Principal photography began in the spring of 1983 at a number of locations, primarily in Texas, including

Alpine Alpine may refer to any mountainous region. It may also refer to: Places Europe * Alps, a European mountain range ** Alpine states, which overlap with the European range Australia * Alpine, New South Wales, a Northern Village * Alpine National P ...

Austin Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of Texas, as well as the seat and largest city of Travis County, with portions extending into Hays and Williamson counties. Incorporated on December 27, 1839, it is the 11th-most-populous city ...

, El Paso, Fort Davis, Lajitas,

Marathon The marathon is a long-distance foot race with a distance of , usually run as a road race, but the distance can be covered on trail routes. The marathon can be completed by running or with a run/walk strategy. There are also wheelchair div ...

, Marfa, Monahans, Pyote, Pecos, and

San Elizario San Elizario is a city in El Paso County, Texas, United States. Its population was 13,603 at the 2010 census. It is part of the El Paso metropolitan statistical area. It lies on the Rio Grande, which forms the border between the United States a ...

Big Bend Ranch State Park Big Bend Ranch State Park is a state park located on the Rio Grande in Brewster County, Texas, Brewster and Presidio County, Texas, Presidio counties, Texas. It is the largest state park in Texas. The closest major town is Presidio, Texas, wher ...

in Texas (where Dom was located) and

Tulsa, Oklahoma Tulsa () is the second-largest city in the state of Oklahoma and 47th-most populous city in the United States. The population was 413,066 as of the 2020 census. It is the principal municipality of the Tulsa Metropolitan Area, a region wit ...

, were also prominent in the film."Fandango Movie Locations As They Appear Today."
''ultimatefandango.com.'' Retrieved: February 10, 2012. The skydiving sequence in ''Fandango'' is shot-for-shot taken from Kevin Reynolds's

thesis film, ''Proof'' from 1980. Spielberg had seen a copy of ''Proof'' and offered to produce the project, which became ''Fandango'', through his company, Amblin Entertainment.Maslin, Janet
"At the Movies: Fandango (1985)."
''

The New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''the Times'', ''NYT'', or the Gray Lady) is a daily newspaper based in New York City with a worldwide readership reported in 2020 to comprise a declining 840,000 paid print subscribers, and a growing 6 million paid ...

,'' January 25, 1985. The supposed backdrop of downtown Dallas where Truman Sparks flies to is actually Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 1984. The aerial sequence was filmed with the assistance of the Commemorative Air Force (then known as the Confederate Air Force), which has its main headquarters in Texas. The screen credits note: "Special thanks to the Confederate Air Force for their assistance in making this motion picture."

Reception

In her review of ''Fandango'' for ''

'',

Janet Maslin Janet R. Maslin (born August 12, 1949) is an American journalist, best known as a film and literary critic for ''The New York Times''. She served as a ''Times'' film critic from 1977 to 1999 and as a book critic from 2000 to 2015. In 2000 Maslin ...

praised Kevin Reynolds' "way with the sight gags and off-the-wall humor that make this a notable debut. And he brings a good deal of feeling to the moments in which the film's twin specters – Vietnam and maturity – intrude upon the frantic festivities."Maslin, Janet
"Fandango (1985); Screen: 'Fandango,' Coming of age in 1971."
''

,'' January 25, 1985. Retrieved: February 9, 2012. ''

The Globe and Mail ''The Globe and Mail'' is a Canadian newspaper printed in five cities in western and central Canada. With a weekly readership of approximately 2 million in 2015, it is Canada's most widely read newspaper on weekdays and Saturdays, although it ...

'' also praised the direction: "Reynolds shows an uncanny confidence with the camera, a sureness which is backed up by a powerful visual sensitivity and an ear for language, especially the vernacular of Texas, where the film is set."Fraser, Matthew. "Not just another teen comedy." ''The Globe and Mail,'' March 12, 1985. Leonard Maltin called ''Fandango'' "fresh and likeable, if uneven."

Quentin Tarantino Quentin Jerome Tarantino (; born March 27, 1963) is an American film director, writer, producer, and actor. His films are characterized by stylized violence, extended dialogue, profanity, dark humor, non-linear storylines, cameos, ensembl ...

was quoted in ''Empire'' as follows: "''Fandango'' is one of the best directorial debuts in the history of cinema. I saw ''Fandango'' five times at the movie theater and it only played for a fucking week, all right." Modern reappraisals have focused on the storytelling and character development, surprising for a directorial debut. Reviewer Bryan Pope critiqued the DVD version as, "Breezy and confident, and with a wing dinger of a soundtrack, ''Fandango'' is the definition of a sleeper. Before the final credits roll, its characters will have downed a few beers, faced fears, forged new friendships, tested old ones, and searched with some success for the answers to life's important questions. And, yes, one of them will even have danced the fandango under the Texas sky."Pape, Brian
"Review: 'Fandango'."
''DVD Verdict Review,'' 2005. Retrieved: February 10, 2012. Steven Spielberg admitted that the film "wasn't really released," but wouldn't say more than that. Asked to comment on Spielberg's hesitance to release the film, director Kevin Reynolds' agent simply responded: "He's tired of talking about Steven Spielberg, and he's busy." Although Spielberg was disappointed with the finished film and did not have his name on the product, Amblin Entertainment is still credited. ''Fandango'' did not receive a widespread release, grossing less than US$100,000. However, through television and video, ''Fandango'' grew in popularity and, in July 2010, fans held a 25th anniversary celebration at the filming locations. Suzy Amis and Sam Robards followed their characters' fates and married in 1986. Reynolds and Costner would later go on to work together on two more films, '' Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves'' (1991) and '' Waterworld'' (1995). Reynolds was Costner's uncredited second unit director and set advisor for the western epic and Costner directorial debut '' Dances with Wolves'' (1990).Reynolds, Kevin
"Reynolds tells which Kevin really directed 'Dances With Wolves'."
''Los Angeles Times,'' March 31, 1991. Retrieved: February 10, 2012. Reynolds and Costner collaborated once again on the History Channel mini-series '' Hatfields & McCoys'' (2012).

References

Notes Citations Bibliography * Keith, Todd. ''Kevin Costner the Unauthorized Biography.'' London: Icon Books, 1991. . * Maltin, Leonard. ''Leonard Maltin's Movie Guide 2009''. New York: New American Library, 2009 (originally published as ''TV Movies'', then ''Leonard Maltin’s Movie & Video Guide''), First edition 1969, published annually since 1988. . * McBride, Joseph. ''Steven Spielberg: A Biography.'' Jackson, Mississippi: University Press of Mississippi, 2011. .

External links

* * * * *
Fandango
at

Apple TV An apple is an edible fruit produced by an apple tree (''Malus domestica''). Apple trees are cultivated worldwide and are the most widely grown species in the genus '' Malus''. The tree originated in Central Asia, where its wild ancesto ...

{{DEFAULTSORT:Fandango 1985 films American aviation films 1985 comedy films Amblin Entertainment films Films about fraternities and sororities Films set in Texas Films set in 1971 Films shot in Texas American comedy road movies 1980s comedy road movies Warner Bros. films Films directed by Kevin Reynolds Skydiving in fiction Films scored by Alan Silvestri Features based on short films 1985 directorial debut films Films produced by Tim Zinnemann 1980s English-language films 1980s American films