Say Anything... (1989)

Highly Overrated But Still Good

Disturbing yet enthralling

if their story seems completely bonkers, almost like a feverish work of fiction, you ain't heard nothing yet.

It is neither dumb nor smart enough to be fun, and spends way too much time with its boring human characters.

Say what you might but this movie did nothing for me. Maybe even was a tad bit boring. I was waiting for that wow moment the whole time but nothing happened. Deeply disappointed.

After watching a cheesy 80's movie in the beginning of my day, I felt no longer the urge to try and watch another one; I would compensate with just watching "The Breakfast Club" a multitude of times. But looking through my TV guide, I put this movie on and I was quickly hooked. No matter who you ask, it is hard not to fall for humorous and kick-boxing Lloyd Dobler (John Cusack). The best part I think, of all of these 80's movies is that the characters, whether they are cringe-worthy/cheesy or not, all fall for one another--no Twitter, Tinder, etc. Watch this movie, because I promise you will fall in love with it as much as I have.

Just before graduation, Lloyd Dobler (John Cusack) is convinced that he had a date with the valedictorian with a brain "trapped in the body of a game-show hostess" because they shared a table together while eating at the mall one day. After bantering back and forth with his best friends Cory (Lili Taylor) and D.C. (Amy Brooks) about the un-attainability of Diane Court's (Ione Skye) social position in relation to Lloyd's, he decides to go for it and call her. Perhaps no one is more surprised than Lloyd when Diane Court not only calls him back but agrees to go on a date with him. Diane accompanies Lloyd to an annual graduation party held at the home of a former student of the high school. Diane, who has largely been hidden away from her classmates studying and enjoying none of the social aspects of high school. Her classmates are glad to finally meet and get to know Diane in an informal setting, and Diane is pleased to finally feel as though she has friends in her life other than her hands-on father, James Court (John Mahoney). After much deliberation and internal conflict after being accepted to a fellowship program in England, Diane decides to keep seeing Lloyd, on a strictly platonic basis. Lloyd takes this understanding because to him, any time with Diane Court is better than time apart from Diane Court. Lloyd decides to make his summer ambition to spend as much time with Diane as possible before she leaves. Disappointed that his daughter has settled on a lesser-than-she "distraction", James quickly begins to care less about how Diane chooses to spend her time, as his own problems arise. Ultimately a decision must be made between the life Diane has always imagined, or has been imagined for her, and the one that is unfolding."I don't want to sell anything, buy anything, or process anything as a career. I don't want to sell anything bought or processed, or buy anything sold or processed, or process anything sold, bought, or processed, or repair anything sold, bought, or processed. You know, as a career, I don't want to do that." Lloyd may not know what he wants to do, but he knows what he doesn't want to do, and that may be more important. Lloyd Dobler is my favorite character, perhaps in cinema history. He's got a lot going for him, Lloyd is protective of his friends, he's introspective, independent, undaunted by going against social norms, he's willing and able to teach, as well as learn, and he's adaptable. Lloyd is also fully equipped with a myriad of characteristics that can't be taught. Lloyd is existential, and is constantly thinking about the world, Lloyd listens to people; he actually listens to people with the intent to hear what they are saying and respond/react to it. Lloyd is a person that genuinely wants those around him to be happy. He cares so deeply for his friends that he only wants the best for him. Maybe the best of Lloyd's innumerable endearing qualities is that he knows how to comfort people on an individual level. Who doesn't long for someone in their life that knows them so well, they know exactly how to make them feel better when they are down. That's Lloyd Dobler, and we should all be so fortunate to have someone like that in our lives. Maybe I just like this film so much because it came at the exact right moment that I needed it, or because I associate it with the best year of my life; either way, I am thankful for Say Anything... and of course, kickboxing, it really was the sport of the future.

Awh, this film is cute, you know. I wouldn't say it's amazing but for what it is, it's entertaining, I cared about the characters and I got frustrated when the plot didn't go the way I wanted it to. I wanna give this a rewatch now I know the plot so I can appreciate the other things which I don't think I did enough of i.e. music, side characters, acting etc. I was just in the mood to watch an old-school romance and that's what I got. The boombox scene (which is all I knew about this movie) wasn't as WHOAH as I expected but maybe that's what's so great about it, is that it wasn't a big overblown plot point but it still has a place in lots of audiences hearts. I think this could be a regular go-to film for me. John Cusack is a little cutie and his hopeless romantic character is a believable and real performance. As is Diane Court who's family struggles bring an unexpected struggle to the couple. The ending is so heart-warming and leaves you wanting a little bit more but that's what you want from a film. You're put in the characters shoes. You're happy and got what you want with the couple but you have no idea what's round the corner, just hope and love.