Say Anything...

Rating:
Summary: Good Movies Must Be a Cusack Tradition
Review: "Say Anything" pinpoints a different kind of 80s love story movie, with less ridiculous attempts at comedy and more of a meaningfull plot. John Cusack spent most of the 80s spinning out classic teenaged comedy, but cuts down on the often needless immature and spastic humor in this movie. His trademark I think is his nervous and eager personality as the classic underachiever. Playing C student Lloyd Dobbler about to graduate from high school, he falls helplessly in love with the shy and lacking of self-esteem validictorian Diane Cort, played by Ione Skye. Lloyd lives with his sister Constance, a single mother and an un-credited part played by John's sister Joan Cusack, and focuses his life around kick-boxing. Lloyd and Diane wind up falling in love despite their differences, but are torn apart by the legal troubles of Diane's father, played excellently by John Mahoney. The movie centers around Cusack's determination to hold on to his relationship with Skye, doing everything it takes for them to stay together. The performances and original storyline are what make "Say Anything" great, and the movie is full of scenes that will never die. Scenes like Cusack holding a radio above his head outside Skye's bedroom window one night playing "In Your Eyes" by Peter Gabriel. No one by John Cusack could've done something better and more effective in a film. "Say Anything" in my mind is a new classic, a movie worth having when the box office keeps pucking up the same romantic attempt at garbage every year, I give the movie 5 stars.

Rating:
Summary: Hip Hip Hooray for Cameron Crowe
Review: "Say Anything" is one of the best films around on growing up. John Cusack and Ione Skye, under the direction of Cameron Crowe, give outstanding performances and never misstep as two teenagers who fall in love. John Mahoney is also good in a supporting role. I watched this movie about a month ago after not having seen it in a while and, again, was struck by how real and moving the dialogue was. In our age of dumb-downed teenage flicks, that's no easy feat.

Rating:
Summary: Say Anything you want...
Review: ...you can't deny the fact that "Say Anything..." is a truly exceptional film. Now, I know that stereotypical macho guys wouldn't want to watch any romantic movie at all (I don't count as a "macho guy" because I love James Taylor, I hate sports and my favorite movie is "Forrest Gump"; take what you want from that).

The best and most poignant thing about this movie is that it rings true. Cameroon Crowe has fashioned for us a beautiful story about a young couple that rings true. The script is full of memorable lines ranging from the funny ("I whish you had taken the keys out of your hand first, brother!") to the poignant ("Are you here because you need someone, or because you need me?...Forget it, I don't care") to the truly unforgettable. ("I gave her my heart, she gave me a pen."

However, at the center of the film is the amazing, unflappable, John Cusack. His Lloyd Dobbler is one of the most identifiable characters in contemporary cinema. He's at his best in his many stuttering, tragic monologues, his flow of consciousness tape recordings detailing his heartache, and especially in his "eighth and final call" to Diane: "Maybe I don't know you, maybe you were a mirage, maybe the world exploded in a supernova of food and sex and in that case it's not your fault". What does that mean? Nothing. And yet everything.

Finally: the supporting characters. There's nothing wrong with Ione Skye and John Mahoney; but they get all the press. We're talking Lili Taylor. "Joe lies, Joe lies when he cries": the passion Corey exudes over Joe, and the anguish she goes through, knowing he's so much beneath him, yet she reluctantly loves him anyway. We're talking Joan Cusack. Constance definitely needed more screen time; she was a fun character to watch, as all of Joan's characters are. In fact, all of the people who had any line at all, up to and including the guy who passes through and say's "Lloyd Dobler, all right!" to Diane at the party, are all perfect, just a testament to Crowe's directing abilities.

If none of that does it for you ask yourself this: what could possibly be cuter then a five-year-old punching a punching bag while being held by his 18-year-old uncle, being asked "What do we want?", and after a perfect pause yelling "Pain!"? I put it to you, and e-mail me if you get something better

Rating:
Summary: Teen Charmer
Review: A teen movie of the late 80's, I found this charmer, "Say Anything." John Cusak is the quirky misfit teen in love with the unattainable. The unattainable is the senior class brain, Ione Skye. Ione has a wonderful smile, which she uses to disarm. Her acting skills are limited however, so Cusak's antics move the story to the opposites-attract finale. John Mahoney, the dad in "Frazer" on TV, plays Ione's businessman, father in deep soup with the IRS. He wants her to go to England on a scholarship. She is wooed, charmed, and then makes it with shiftless Cusak. I must say that Mahoney is believable in a complicated character, both loving father and a secret embezzler. Ordinarily in these teen operas, parents are total dotes. There is the obligatory teen beer-bash, but this one is fairly realistic with kids that actually like each other, as opposed to bashes where kids are trying to be too cool. Nice little date flick for teens.

Rating:
Summary: You go Loyd Dobler / 80's classic
Review: An 80's teen angst romance. Kind of a sappy movie about a Clash t-shirt wearing kickboxing goofy good guy Loyd Dobler from Seattle who falls for Diane the valedictorian of high school played by Ione Skye. Just after graduation he gets enough courage up to ask her out on a date to graduation party. She sees his good nature and likes him and they start dating exclusively. He wants to spend as much time as possible with her. Now watching this you can see how much she brings Cusacks character Loyd at ease but her over bearing father has other plans for her to study abroad in europe. It seems the father played by Ed Mahoney has been planning this for a while commiting tax fraud and evasion to have the money to send her to europe. He tells her to stop seeing him. After this happens she realizes she needs Loyd in her life & they were meant for each other. Lili Taylor's great performance as a jaded friend of Loyd's who gives him love advice is enough to see this movie alone but Cusack is great as his quirky self. Cool movie about young romance and the uncertainties of the future after high school. Not my favorite 80's movie but a must see at least once. Pre Almost Famous directorial debut by Cameron Crowe.

Rating:
Summary: Save the speeches for Malcolm X
Review: Between that line and the "Joe lies" song, there are some classic moments in this script.

But it's not as good as "Better Off Dead" or "One Crazy Summer." I know, I know, it's a better movie in many regards. It's just not as weird nor is it as much fun.

Also, freshman year of college, my downstairs neighbor played "In Your Eyes" on repeat about 80 times one night. So, yes, there are things about it that make me sick.

Rating:
Summary: Crowe's Directorial Debut
Review: Cameron Crowe had written two screenplays, the brilliant Fast Times At Ridgemont High and the uneven, but enjoyable The Wild Life, but Say Anything marked his debut behind the camera. The movie centers around the unlikely relationship between the brainy, but beautiful Diane (Ione Skye) and the goofy, but loyal Lloyd (John Cusack). Diane is a brain who has gotten a scholarship to attend school in England, while Lloyd is entering the sport of the future, kickboxing. Diane lives a sheltered life, spending most of her time with her father (a pre-Fraiser John Mahoney) and Lloyd is her chance to experience life outside the bubble. Of course Mr. Court disapproves of their relationship, but he has bigger problems awaiting. Ms. Skye and Mr. Cusack are absolutely terrific together and their is real chemistry between them. Mr. Cusack in particular shines in the film. He is extremely funny , but shows a real human side. You really feel for him when Diane breaks off the relationship with him. Mr. Crowe, as usual, has written a sharp, witty and inciteful script and he uses music to perfection. Peter Gabriel's "In Your Eyes" perfectly captures the films signature moment when Lloyd stands heartbroken outside Mr. Court's nursing home with a boom box blaring the song to Diane inside. On the surface, Say Anything looks to be another 80's teen movie, but dig a little deeper and you'll find one of the better crafted films of the decade.

Rating:
Summary: I wanna touch the light, the heat I see in your eyes......
Review: Ever wanted a person you knew would never give you a chance? Ever had fate surprise you with that person's love? The second part doesn't happen very often in tales of unrequited love, but it happened for Lloyd Dobler (played honestly by John Cusack).
"Say Anything" is a universal story of love surviving the odds. Lloyd struggles for smart, popular Diane Court's attention, and he gets lucky when he finally steps away from simply watching her and makes her laugh. He is always himself, even when their relationship eventually hits rocky spots. This is an admirable, human idea that is not often portrayed in romantic films. Cusack helps us root for the main character by making him one of us. While the other characters in the film question whether Lloyd is good enough for Diane (played by Ione Skye), the audience might wonder if Diane is good enough for Lloyd.
Another important theme from this movie that is worthy of mentioning is family trust. In nearly every teenage drama, the teenager does things to irritate/upset/worry the parents. The conflict between Diane and her father (Frasier's John Mahoney) is unique. Mr. Court expresses displeasure at being "betrayed" by his daughter while at the same time he has been dishonest with her. Both parents and children make mistakes. Thank you Cameron Crowe for not making teenagers the scapegoats.
The most remarkable thing about this film is its simplicity. There is the right amount of drama and romance so that it's not too schmaltzy and not too heavy. It's just a clever little movie about love.
Pivotal scene (aside from the stereo in the front yard): when Lloyd and Diane are trying to get back together. Diane admits, "I need you." Lloyd asks, "Do you say that because you need somebody or you need me?" He quickly adds, "Forget it. I don't care."

Rating:
Summary: Still a favorite!
Review: I first saw this film at the movies when I was in my late 20s. It reminded me so much of my own summer after HS graduation, I went back to the theater to see it the very next day (dragging 2 friends along)!

The script and direction are perfect, and this was deservedly Cusack's breakout role. This movie rises miles above the typical "teen flick" to deliver rich, three dimensional characters who are funny and heartbreaking at the same time.

Besides Cusack, the standout performance in this film belongs to Lili Taylor. Any female who suffered through the pangs of teenage first love can relate to her hilarious, endlessly morose songs about Joe.

Lloyd Dobler is the guy that every girl wishes she had met when she was 17. Ione Skye is appropriate beautiful, but her performance seemed a little wooden to me. I also was less than thrilled with John Mahoney's portrayal of the father - a little too broad and two dimensional, I would have liked to see a more subtle actor in this part. (Dennis Hopper's performance as the dad in "Pretty in Pink" comes to mind)

But those are minor complaints. Cusack's performance and Crowe's vision are a combination for the ages. Even all these years later, the film is not dated, and I still love it. I'm so glad it's finally on DVD and can't wait to check out the "extras."

Rating:
Summary: I still cry .......
Review: I love this movie, it still give's me the goose bumps and I still cry when he holds that boom box up playing that song, it's still so power full. I think every woman wants a man that will do that! Excellent movie, you must buy it!