Fandango
Fandango is a 1985 American coming-of-age comedy-drama film directed by Kevin Reynolds in his feature-length debut, following five college roommates known as the "Groovers" on a final road trip across Texas and into Mexico in 1971, as they evade impending adult responsibilities such as weddings, jobs, and the Vietnam War draft.[1] The story centers on Gardner Barnes (Kevin Costner), a laid-back skydiving enthusiast unsure of his future, who joins his friends—Phil Hicks (Judd Nelson), Kenneth Waggener (Sam Robards), Dorman (Chuck Bush), and Lester (Brian Cesak)—for a carefree adventure in a battered Cadillac convertible, blending humor, friendship, and reflections on youth amid the era's social upheavals.[2] Originally expanded from Reynolds' 1980 USC student short film Proof, which featured the skydiving sequence, the movie was produced by Amblin Entertainment under Steven Spielberg's company, with producers Tim Zinnemann, Kathleen Kennedy, and Frank Marshall, and released by Warner Bros. on January 25, 1985.[1] The film stars a pre-stardom Kevin Costner in one of his early leading roles, alongside Judd Nelson and supporting actors including Suzy Amis and Glenne Headly, and features cinematography by Thomas Del Ruth and a score by Alan Silvestri, capturing the dusty Texas landscapes and the countercultural spirit of the early 1970s.[1] Critically received as a nostalgic road movie, it explores themes of transition and camaraderie, earning a 70% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on contemporary reviews that praised its ensemble chemistry and Reynolds' assured direction, though it underperformed commercially upon release.[3] Over time, Fandango has gained cult status for its authentic portrayal of post-college limbo and its soundtrack, which includes tracks by the Pat Metheny Group, resonating with audiences interested in 1980s cinema's take on the Vietnam era.[2]Background and Recording
Conception and Title Origin
Fandango! originated as a 20-minute student short film titled Proof, written and directed by Kevin Reynolds while attending the University of Southern California (USC) film school in 1980. The short parodied fraternity life, inspired by Reynolds' experiences at Baylor University but relocated to the University of Texas setting used in the feature. Steven Spielberg, impressed by Proof—particularly its skydiving sequence—funded its expansion into a full-length feature through his Amblin Entertainment company.[1][2] The title Fandango! refers to a lively dance, echoing the film's themes of youthful exuberance and a climactic dance scene, while capturing the road trip's spirited adventure across Texas and into Mexico. This choice aligned with the story's blend of comedy, drama, and the countercultural vibe of 1971, reflecting the characters' final "dance" with freedom before adulthood.[1]Recording Sessions
The film's production employed a straightforward approach, expanding the short film's core skydiving scene while shooting new material to develop the road trip narrative, with Reynolds directing and writing the screenplay. The cast included Kevin Costner as Gardner Barnes, Judd Nelson as Phil Hicks, and supporting roles by Suzy Amis and Glenne Headly, under producers Tim Zinnemann, Kathleen Kennedy, and Frank Marshall. Cinematography was handled by Thomas Del Ruth, with a score composed by Alan Silvestri.[1][2] Principal photography took place in spring 1983, primarily in Texas locations including Alpine, Austin, El Paso, and Big Bend Ranch State Park to capture the dusty landscapes, with additional filming in Tulsa, Oklahoma, doubling for Dallas in aerial sequences facilitated by the Commemorative Air Force. A four-day reshoot occurred in March 1984 to refine the script and performances. The production wrapped before its limited release by Warner Bros. on January 25, 1985.[2][4]Musical Content
Track Listing
The musical content of Fandango! primarily consists of an original score composed by Alan Silvestri, with additional contributions from Pat Metheny and Lyle Mays. No official commercial soundtrack album featuring all elements was released at the time of the film's premiere, but a limited-edition CD of Silvestri's score was issued by Intrada Records in 2013, containing 25 tracks from the scoring sessions plus three bonus tracks by the Pat Metheny Group.[5] Disc one- "Road Trip" – 1:41
- "Desert Trek" – 1:01
- "The Train" – 2:52
- "Grave Stone" – 1:31
- "Desert Dream" – 1:51
- "Fatal Fall" – 0:27
- "Plane Take-Off" – 6:12
- "Suspended" – 1:12
- "The Dome" – 1:45
- "Cemetery Dance" – 0:54
- "The Old Man" – 1:23
- "End Credits" – 3:58
13. "Saturday Night's Alright (For Fighting)" (source) – 4:57
14. "Badge" (source) – 2:45
15. "It's Too Late" (source) – 3:54
16. "Spooky" (source) – 2:45
17. "Born to Be Wild" (source) – 3:27
18. "Can't Find My Way Home" (source) – 3:14
19. "El Brazo Mocho" (source) – 2:48
20. "Ay Te Dejo en San Antonio" (source) – 2:42
21. "September Fifteenth" (Pat Metheny/Lyle Mays) – 4:37
22. "Farmer's Trust" (Pat Metheny/Lyle Mays) – 6:35
23. "It's for You" (Pat Metheny/Lyle Mays) – 8:14
24. "Shostakovich: Symphony No. 8" (excerpt, source) – 2:30
25. "Taking Off" (Milton Brown and His Musical Brownies, source) – 2:38 Bonus tracks (Pat Metheny Group from Offramp, 1982)
26. "Last Train Home" – 3:35
27. "Minuano (Six Eight)" – 9:21
28. "Are You Going with Me?" – 8:41 A four-song 12-inch EP featuring select source music was released in Japan in 1985.[6]