ada
the leading man is my tpye
Konterr
Brilliant and touching
Dorathen
Better Late Then Never
betelguese_1
The ultimate coming-of-age guy movie. Incorrectly marketed as a simple road trip flick (with one of the worst trailers of all time), this movie sends five characters (a scoundrel, a groom, a soldier, an accountant, and a preacher) into the abyss that is adulthood in the time of the Vietnam War.The cinemaphotography is outstanding, the soundtrack is amazing, and the journey makes the viewer realize that they too have a question to answer: are you a Gardner or a Wagner?This is my favorite Kevin Costner role...from a time when he played a character instead of playing Kevin Costner.I've watched this movie a 100 times. Watch it once and you will be hooked.
Lechuguilla
Five Texas college dudes head out in 1971 for the deserts of Mexico in an old Cadillac. The guys call themselves "the groovers"."Fandango" offers the Baby-Boomer generation a bit of nostalgia toward their own college days, reflections about Vietnam, and the attendant cultural turbulence so characteristic of that era. As such, the film's tone trends sentimental and melancholy, despite the overt ruckus the guys kick up.Their road adventure is a metaphor for an unknowable and scary passage through life. Their Mexican destination symbolizes their expectation of success, American style. The first ten minutes remind us of the chaos and high-jinx in "Animal House" (1978). After that, it's off into the wilds for one last joyride.Though the underlying premise is deeply thematic, the characters are not especially likable. They exhibit a lot of stupidity; their personalities are irritating; and the actors who play these guys overact.The desert landscape renders pleasing visuals. And the group's adventure at a rundown, tacky-looking "parachute school" out in the middle of nowhere is moderately funny. Here, they become students once again, but this time they are under the dubious tutelage of a flighty hippie instructor named Truman, who explains to them how to jump, using inane technical jargon while writing gibberish on a makeshift chalkboard.I wish the characters had been more likable, and their adventure a little more realistic. Still, the story and accompanying themes are intense and valid. And if you're in the proper nostalgic mood, "Fandango" can be quite a trip.
Argyle302
This is probably my favorite movie of all time. Kevin Costner's roll of Gardner as a carefree rebel pays homage to legends such as Marlon Brando and James Dean of past. Judd Nelson is brilliant as a young ROTC student "dying" to become a soldier of war. My favorite part is when they arrive at the parachute jumping school. Truman is a such a great character that adds great comedy to the film. And who can forget the drunk they drag along with them. What, he might have 2 lines in the entire movie!? Awesome! It all comes to the beautiful wedding they conjure up out of nothing down in Mexico somewhere. If you have never seen this movie, you must see it! It is more of a guy flick, but I think females would still enjoy it also. It is a great road trip movie! Magnifico!!!!!!
arlen_dag
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.
