“For Tarantino, this Kevin Costner movie is a modern Stanley Kubrick-worthy film.”

Tarantino Hails This Forgotten Kevin Costner Road Movie as a Modern Kubrick-Level Debut

Quentin Tarantino has never been shy about his cinematic obsessions, often championing underseen gems with the kind of passion that redefines how we view them. One of his most striking endorsements? A dusty 1985 road trip film starring a young Kevin Costner — and directed by Kevin Reynolds — which Tarantino boldly declared as worthy of comparison to Stanley Kubrick’s early masterpieces.

“Fandango”: The Hidden Classic

Back in a 1994 Vanity Fair piece, Tarantino spotlighted Fandango, a debut feature from then-unknown director Kevin Reynolds. Set in 1971, against the backdrop of the Vietnam War, the film follows five recent college grads as they journey from Texas to Mexico on a trip that straddles the line between carefree adolescence and the heavy weight of adulthood. Known in France as Une Bringue d’enfer, the film blends irreverent humor with aching nostalgia — and gave Kevin Costner one of his earliest starring roles.

Tarantino’s Take: Genius or Provocation?

For Tarantino, Fandango wasn’t just a charming coming-of-age story — it was something far more rare: a directorial debut that echoed the precision, ambition, and emotional depth of a young Stanley Kubrick. He labeled Reynolds the “Stanley Kubrick of his decade,” and placed Fandango among the most impressive first features in modern cinema. It’s the kind of bold comparison only Tarantino could get away with — and perhaps the kind only he would make.

Reynolds & Costner: A Creative Crossroads

While Fandango may have faded from popular memory, its impact rippled through Reynolds’ career. He went on to direct major titles like Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, the war drama La Bête de guerre, and the ambitious Waterworld — all of which continued his collaboration with Costner. Reynolds also contributed to the script of Dances with Wolves and later helmed the Emmy-winning Hatfields & McCoys miniseries, cementing his place as a director with a taste for sweeping, emotionally grounded storytelling.

Why “Fandango” Still Matters

More than just a nostalgic footnote, Fandango remains a poignant portrait of youth, fear, friendship, and freedom — captured with a directorial confidence rarely seen in debut films. Tarantino’s praise might seem extreme to some, but it forces a reevaluation of a movie that many have overlooked. For those who love road movies or emotionally resonant coming-of-age tales, Fandango is an essential rediscovery.