Quentin Tarantino's Favorite 80s Movie? This Kevin Costner Hidden Gem He Saw 5 Times
This coming-of-age comedy-drama captures the spirit of friendship, adventure and self-discovery in a way that still resonates today.
The lists of Quentin Tarantino 's favorite films are a separate point in his creative biography. Some of the films included in these lists only get attention because the creator of Pulp Fiction and Kill Bill respects them.
The trend is basically the same: the director is very fond of the cinema of the 70s and 80s – the period in which his vision was formed, the time when cinema was in vogue, which largely shaped Tarantino's directing style.
In addition, Quentin is not shy about declaring his love for both universally recognized masterpieces and very modest genre works.
Quentin Tarantino Praises Kevin Reynolds' Fandango
One such forgotten project is Fandango, an adventure comedy that was originally a student film by Kevin Reynolds, who would go on to direct Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves and The Count of Monte Cristo.
In an interview with Vanity Fair, Tarantino admitted that Fandango was one of the best directorial debuts ever:
“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 f*cking week, all right? [...] And Kevin Costner is so great in that movie.”
Fandango deserved more attention 40 years ago, and it still deserves more attention today. It's a graceful and action-packed nostalgic road movie about five college graduates'.
What Is Fandango About?
Troublemaker Gardner Barnes convinces four of his friends to take a road trip across Texas on their first weekend out of college.
The madcap antics of the recent college graduates are essentially a farewell to their carefree youth, a brief respite before entering adulthood.
Even 40 Years Later, Fandango Is Still Hilarious
Fandango, as the first frame informs us (the dictionary entry for Pulp Fiction will begin similarly), is firstly a Spanish folk dance, and secondly a silly action.
Both meanings will be used in the movie, but mostly the second one: it is a more melancholic work, but still a comedy – in a way, a predecessor of The Hangover.
The entire second act is taken up by the story of a parachute jump that one of the characters dares to make from a crumbling plane piloted by a hippie with a joint, and the pre-flight briefing is a small comedy masterpiece in itself.
Fandango Is the Perfect Mix of Touching and Funny
Visually, Fandango is a love letter to the American Southwest, with stunning cinematography that highlights the beauty of open roads and desert landscapes. The mix of comedy and heartfelt moments creates a balanced tone, making it both funny and emotionally engaging.
It may not have been a blockbuster, but Fandango has aged gracefully, offering a nostalgic yet universal story about youth, dreams, and the bonds that shape us. For fans of road movies, '80s cinema, or heartfelt storytelling, Fandango is a must-see – it is a movie that proves some journeys never get old.
