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Fandango (1985)
Rate:
7
Viewed:
6/18
6/18:
Fandango is the film Kevin Costner makes his motion picture debut in a leading role which is my primary reason
for picking it up in the first place.
Another trigger for my motivation is after reading Don Graham's book about the making of Giant. He recounted the
characters of Fandango taking a pit stop in Marfa, Texas, where George Stevens' picture was filmed at. Not knowing the
facts beforehand, the Groovers were informed by a local gas station attendant (which is, by the way, Pepe Serna). Needless to
say, the sight of the Victorian mansion has left me surprised, and the skeletal edifice still stands to this day.
From the get-go, it's obvious Kevin Costner was going to be a bona fide movie star. He's pretty good
here, and the film is a lot of fun to watch which has a keen script. Marvin McIntyre, who plays Truman Sparks,
made sure of it by recreating parts from Zabriskie Point with Easy Rider music.
However, the last twenty minutes stinks but is somewhat salvaged by Kevin Costner's quiet sensitivity. I don't see the point
of having a fifth guy if he's going to act like "Bernie" the entire time. Judd Nelson's character sucks, too, poisoning the
atmosphere by complaining incessantly. Only if he would shut the hell up, the movie might be better.
Having no experience in acting, Chuck Bush, who plays the avid reader Dorman, entered a 7-11 store in Austin, Texas, and came
out of it with a deal to appear in Fandango. I guess the Lana Turner approach of being discovered by Hollywood is still
alive and well. Also, life imitates art as Sam Robards and Suzy Amis, who looks like a cross between Jodie Foster and Sissy
Spacek, would be married in real life, having done so in the film.
All in all, shot at many locations in Texas, Fandango is a well-made, easygoing coming-of-age picture.