Say Anything (1989)
This film is one of my favorites from the 1980’s series of post high-school days. I think that this one is a standout among others. This is one of John Cusack’s best performances as Lloyd Dobler an underdog type guy who tries to slip by with his wits and kickboxing skills – until he discovers Diane Court played by the lovely Ione Skye. She bedazzles him with her charm and intellect which leads to the basis of the story.
These two characters represent to many people who grew up in the 1980’s a certain era of time, and how things happened throughout school and thereafter. John Cusack’s character is best friends with several young women played by Lili Taylor, Pamela Adlon, and Amy Brooks. I thought all of them complimented one another as friends, and Cusack worked well with them.
If you let yourself drift into this movie, you feel apart of their little world and that is a very cool thing. It’s another one of those type films – you forget you are watching a movie and peering into the lives of these characters. John Cusack’s sister Joan is also in this playing guess what? That’s right, his sister. You can’t get more authentic than that. She however was uncredited in this particular role as Constance Dobler. Notably John Mahoney plays Diane Court’s father James. You will also see briefly Jeremy Piven, Eric Stoltz, Bebe Neuwirth (Lilith from the television series Cheers) Kim Walker and Lisanne Falk are also in this who both appeared in the movie Heathers (1988) together. Dan Castellaneta appears as Diane’s teacher and Lois Chiles as her mother both of them were uncredited. The actor Philip Baker Hall is in this and actress Katie Layman is the Saleswoman at the store.
This movie has an iconic scene in it with John Cusack’s character Lloyd Dobler holding up a stereo above his head with the song done by Peter Gabriel titled “In Your Eyes” that becomes a theme for this film in many regards. A fabled line is muttered while he is inside a phone booth talking with rain pouring down outside. He says: “I gave her my heart and she gave me a pen”. This is absolutely a brilliant film. Do yourself a favor and get this one if you have never seen it before. This movie is a must watch.
Tags: Amy Brooks, Bebe Neuwirth, Best Picks, Comedy, Dan Castellaneta, Diane Court, Drama, Eric Stoltz, Ione Skye, Jeremy Piven, Joan Cusack, John Cusack, John Mahoney, Katie Layman, Kim Walker, Latest Reviews, Lili Taylor, Lisanne Falk, Lloyd Dobler, Lois Chiles, Old Releases, Pamela Adlon, Philip Baker Hall, Romance, Say Anything
