LIFE AND ART: The author and his friend reflect on the privileges of youth (left), celebrated in Fandango (right). Opposite page: the movie’s cast (left) and the road trip’s cast of characters (right).
YONDER
The search for DOM by
RON CISNEROS
FAR WEST TEXAS is a land perfectly suited to contemplation, reminiscing and reflection. Its breathtaking vistas, vast skies and ruggedness inspire a sense of awe so powerful you’ll find yourself exploring not just the region around you but also the meaning of your very existence. It’s a place where you can come of age, no matter what age you’ve already attained. It’s also a region that beckons you to partake in one of the great privileges of being an American: the classic road trip. In 1985, a Baylor University graduate named Kevin Reynolds had his directorial debut in a film called Fandango. Starring Kevin Costner in his first lead role, the movie is the story of five friends, known as the Groovers, who are students at the University of Texas in the early 1970s. With two of them facing the draft and the others ready to embark on the journey of adulthood, the Groovers
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AU THENTIC TEXAS
set out on a final adventure together — a road trip to West Texas to go out in the desert and dig up Dom. [Spoiler alert.] Fandango blends two common movie themes: the coming-of-age story and the ultimate road trip. It’s fitting then that the movie is set in Far West Texas. Shot in locations like Alpine, El Paso, Pecos, Marfa, Fort Davis, San Elizario and Big Bend State Park, the film is a 91-minute moving postcard, enticing the viewer to explore the beauty of the region. The film itself was a commercial flop when released but has attained cult status. Cast members reunited on the film’s 30th anniversary and did a tour of the movie location sites. Unfortunately, I found out about the tour after it had taken place. Even more unfortunate, I discovered I had driven by Dom’s (fictional) burial site many times over the years, completely unaware I was yards away
MOUNTAIN TRAIL REGION
COURTESY RON CISNEROS;
F
An infatuation with Fandango results in a Far West Texas road trip