The Privilege of Youth

We could see the Donkey Lady!

This is one of those movies that I caught by random when I was really pretty young. Something about it was so captivating for being at a young age, and it took quite a few more viewings before I realized a good portion of it is just the visuals.

Everytime I see this movie, I get the powerful urge to just get lost in the desert. They did a great job of making texas seem like a low populated wasteland, but the kind of wasteland I could get lost in for the rest of my life.

After I added a few years of experience and wisdom to my own life, the real kicker for the movie is that final scene when Gardner salutes his friends for the last time in the Texas dusk and Wasted starts playing with the credits. This movie carved a huge gouge into my heart with just that scene.

That song has the power to make me cry at any time I hear it because it really means goodbye. It was always seen as strange to people around me that this movie had such a powerful impact on me, and after a few years it began to seem strange to me how my appreciation for the entire movie and power the song had over me, really affected those around me. When I'd get asked why I liked this movie so much, I'd had no choice in explaining every detail of how it made me feel, much of the time not even fully explaining the movie it self.

All the characters are constantly shrouded in fear of their future, even when they are trying their hardest to forget about it all for one last dance. It really feels to me like thats one of lifes constant struggles. To just forget about whatever problems you may face in the future and just take some time to enjoy the ride.

The thing that impresses me most is, it seems like I'm not the only one who might feel this way about this movie. For along time there, it was kind of difficult to explain it anymore to anybody. Many of the people I would talk with about film, saw Fandango as a B movie. To some extent I suppose I can understand where they are coming from. I guess had I not discovered this at the time in my life where my mind was complete sponge, looking for some kind of examples of how life and people are supposed to work, I might not think much of it either. The fact remains that I do, and always will.

From the spontaneous decision to just drive, to the lonely cut scenes of Gardner leaving her with the kite, to the carwash when they run out of quarters. I love every minute of this movie.

So what do you boys want for breakfast? Barbeque or chili?



(((FullTime Killer)))