No wonder Spielberg shelved it, that was a talent where if properly nurtured, would become a him. Kevin Reynolds, he's an old soul who loves play, he's too jumpy to make a 'good' picture, but he's too good where it's inherently good in spite of him. Same time the anarchy of wanting to discover the screen. To blow things up. It's a magic work, and one for its virtuoso mastery of staging the budding filmmakers should study with its hopscotch theatrics engaging your eyes as much as camera work, sometimes both at once. You admire these directors who are so alive on screen they couldn't be doing anything else, fate brought them before our eyes. Very much of all the 70s wunderkinds, and nice they nurtured the generation following. The other thing, and why I believe it's a classic is there is an 'other' thing when the original thing is so good to begin with... is there at the end with the marriage you see the Costner and what lay ahead, like the screen awakens to him, to the one we all know well, but the screen hadn't until that moment. Suddenly there forecasts an entire generation of his pictures. The myth begins, and he knows he's got it. You get into his work, the stars or performers more typically defined as great leave you wanting by comparison. He is just singular and larger than life in a way none can quite compare.

On one level, "Fandango" may just seem like another nostalgia piece - in this case focusing on some college students in 1971 Texas. But it certainly has its moments. Kevin Costner and Judd Nelson make the most of their roles. If the movie has any problem, it's that it paved the way for director Kevin Reynolds to direct Kevin Costner in the brainless "Waterworld" (which itself paved the way for - gulp - "The Postman").

But one can ignore those and just bask in the fun here. You just may want to experience what the movie portrays. Also starring Sam Robards and Glenne Headly.

So, Scaramouche, Scaramouche, will you watch this "Fandango"?

"Fandango", defined at the outset as either a dance, the music for same, or a foolish act, is nothing if not very appealing, capturing a point in the lives of young mens' post-college lives when they have to decide What to Do Now. Gardner (Kevin Costner) prefers to remain rootless, although he and Kenneth (Sam Robards) have both been drafted to serve in the Vietnam War. Kenneth, however, was supposed to get married, and thinks that he has to call it off now. Together with their friends Phil (Judd Nelson),Dorman (Chuck Bush),and the barely seen Lester (Brian Cesak),they head off on the obligatory One Final Great Adventure before they go their separate ways.

This marked the feature filmmaking debut for young Kevin Reynolds, whose student film "Proof" was expanded for theatrical release under the sponsorship of Steven Spielberg (whose recently formed company Amblin produced the film). A truly great film it is not (not every episode is equally compelling),but it's still quite engaging and impossible to resist. It's certain to be relatable to people of a certain age, no matter what era they've occupied (the films' story takes place in Texas circa 1971).

The characters are generally quite interesting to watch, especially Costner, who shows that he can make the most of the situation when given a reasonably colourful role. (Still, his character remains refreshingly human, never turning into a cartoon or caricature.) Nelsons' work is equally impressive, although Phil is the kind of uptight, fastidious guy who could easily wear out his welcome. Fortunately, he becomes more endearing as the story plays out. And Robards is equally ingratiating. Bush doesn't get much to do that's interesting, however, and Cesak is stuck in the ultimate thankless role.

The lovely ladies present get their moment to shine, too: Suzy Amis, as Costners' unnamed girlfriend, Glenne Headly as Trelis, and Elizabeth Daily & Robyn Rose as two "jailbait" girls. Stealing the show for a large chunk of the running time is character actor Marvin J. McIntyre, who'd been in "Proof" and reprises his role here: eccentric diving instructor Truman Sparks.

Accented by lovely Alan Silvestri music and vibrant rural photography, "Fandango" adds up to an appealing way to spend just over an hour and a half. It can boast one striking finish, as the residents of a small town come to the aid of our heroes. In the end, it leaves us with pleasant smiles on our faces.

Seven out of 10.