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Movies / On DVD / Say Anything
Say Anything

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Say Anything (1989)

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Reviews Counted:38

Fresh:38

Rotten:0

Average Rating:8.1/10

Consensus: One of the definitive Generation X movies, Say Anything is equally funny and heartfelt -- and it established John Cusack as an icon for left-of-center types everywhere.

Runtime: 1 hr 47 mins

Genre: Dramas

Synopsis: The quintessential '80s teen romance, this film has retained its poignancy into the next century with its ability to entertain and amuse while remaining intelligent and packed with real emotion... The quintessential '80s teen romance, this film has retained its poignancy into the next century with its ability to entertain and amuse while remaining intelligent and packed with real emotion that anyone can empathize with. John Cusack plays Lloyd Dobler, a high schooler on the cusp of graduation who devotes himself to the pursuit of Diane Court (Ione Skye), the aloof class valedictorian who happens to be beautiful as Corey (Lily Taylor), Lloyd's best friend puts it, "a brain trapped in the body of a game show hostess." When Lloyd calls Diane to invite her to a graduation party, she doesn't know who he is, but she's charmed by his nervous chatter and surprises everyone by accepting. Lloyd at first even manages to charm Diane's overprotective father Jim Court (John Mahoney) as well, with whom Diane is very close, though Jim can't see why his daughter is wasting her time with Lloyd. The party scene in SAY ANYTHING ranks among the best ever, with Eric Stoltz making a cameo as the party host, Lily Taylor as the ultimate lovelorn rock chick, and even Chynna Phillips putting in an appearance. After their successful first date, Diane asks Lloyd to dinner with her father and some of his associates; there, when asked his plans for the future, Lloyd lets loose a speech way ahead of its time, which slackers everywhere will be able to appreciate. Unfortunately, Jim Court does not, and Lloyd's professed intention to "spend as much time as possible with your daughter" strikes a chord of horror for him; he wages a campaign to sabotage the relationship, which almost succeeds. But when Jim's secrets come to light, Diane is forced to question who it is she can really trust in her life. Cameron Crowe's film, which he made when he was only 21, is told with honesty, humor, and emotion that never crosses into the realm of the sappy. Cusack's character, who might verge on the cheesy or the stalkeresque if played by someone else, manages to be a unique, charming, stand-up guy with a heart of gold, while retaining a bit of a dark side that rounds him out. Outstanding performances are turned in by all involved, and this film proves once again Crowe's place as the spokesman for teen love and romance in general. [More]

Starring: John Cusack, Ione Skye, John Mahoney, Lili Taylor

Starring: John Cusack, Ione Skye, John Mahoney, Lili Taylor, Pamela Segall, Jeremy Piven, Bebe Neuwirth, Eric Stoltz, Chynna Phillips, Loren Dean, Joan Cusack, Jason Gould, Polly Platt, Lisanne Falk, Lois Chiles, Don "The Dragon" Wilson

Director: Cameron Crowe

Director: Cameron Crowe
Screenwriter: Cameron Crowe
Producer: Polly Platt
Composer: Richard Gibbs, Anne Dudley

[See More Credits]

Reviews for Say Anything

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1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 >> >|
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One of the very best teen movies.

Full Review Source: Channel 4 Film | comment Comment
01/30/09
Richard Luck
Richard Luck
Channel 4 Film
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Rewarding if slightly off-beat, and genuinely funny.

Full Review Source: Empire Magazine | comment Comment
07/17/07
Mark Salisbury
Mark Salisbury
Empire Magazine
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

he love story is as old-fashioned as the jokes are old hat, but Crowe's amusing script and unforced direction allow the actors to develop reasonably authentic characters from stereotypical roles.

Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
02/09/06
Derek Adams
Derek Adams
Time Out
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Say Anything was a singularly three-dimensional teen romance after a decade of broad gags and breakfast-club stereotypes in John Hughesland.

Full Review Source: Slant Magazine | comment Comment
11/19/09
Bill Weber
Bill Weber
Slant Magazine

Cusack and Skye's relationship develops nicely and believably, but Crowe has not written an entirely convincing character for the latter to play.

Full Review Source: Variety | comment Comment
07/17/07
Variety Staff
Variety Staff
Variety
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

At last, a teenage love story with real characters instead of cliches, poses, and attitudes.

Full Review Source: Chicago Reader | comment Comment
07/17/07
Jonathan Rosenbaum
Jonathan Rosenbaum
Chicago Reader

John Cusack has unwittingly become Generation X's romantic screen icon.

Full Review Source: Combustible Celluloid | comment Comment
09/23/06
Jeffrey M. Anderson
Jeffrey M. Anderson
Combustible Celluloid

Great dialogue, dead-on performances from all three leads, Cusack, Skye and Mahoney, a nice romance, cool soundtrack and some funny lines.

Full Review Source: JoBlo's Movie Emporium | comment Comment
05/12/06
JoBlo
JoBlo
JoBlo's Movie Emporium

No review available.

comment Comment
10/27/05
Cole Smithey
Cole Smithey
ColeSmithey.com

No review available.

comment Comment
10/13/05
Emanuel Levy
Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com

No review available.

comment Comment
04/21/05
Thomas Delapa
Thomas Delapa
Boulder Weekly

Even as a cynical, anti-romantic teen, I loved this movie.

comment Comment
04/08/05
Luke Y. Thompson
Luke Y. Thompson
New Times

No review available.

comment Comment
01/02/05
Philip Martin
Philip Martin
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Cameron Crowe crafts one of his best films around the end-of-high-school ennui and the uncertainties that come with that time in your life, but Say Anything... is aging faster than you might think, despite its many classic lines and moments.

Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com | comment Comment
11/25/04
Christopher Null
Christopher Null
Filmcritic.com

No review available.

comment Comment
09/24/04
Rob Blackwelder
Rob Blackwelder
SPLICEDWire

No review available.

comment Comment
01/23/04
Carol Cling
Carol Cling
Las Vegas Review-Journal

...one of the best movies about young love ever made.

Full Review Source: Reel Film Reviews | comment Comment
08/01/03
David Nusair
David Nusair
Reel Film Reviews

A far cry from the standard Hollywood teen romance.

Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide | comment Comment
07/30/03
TV Guide's Movie Guide

Writer and director Cameron Crowe has taken the hackneyed subject of teenage love and given it some freshness.

Full Review Source: Spirituality and Practice | comment Comment
07/10/03
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
Spirituality and Practice

No review available.

comment Comment
05/21/03
Ryan Cracknell
Ryan Cracknell
Movie Views
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 >> >|
all

Latest News for Say Anything

October 26, 2009: Say Anything... Turns 20 Opens in new window
Here's something to make you feel old, kids of the '80s: Cameron Crowe's "Say Anything..." turns 20 this year. Hoist those boom boxes! More...

August 31, 2007: Go Back To School With Fast Times At RT High!
It's time for a history lesson here at Rotten Tomatoes. But don't worry, you won't be tested on anything. To paraphrase the Ramones' "Rock 'n' Roll High School," we just wanna... More...

October 13, 2005: Critical Consensus: "Domino" Topples, "Elizabethtown" Disappoints
This week, the wide releases regale us with tales of beautiful bounty hunters ("Domino"), existential romance ("Elizabethtown"), and masses of deadly... More...

June 24, 2005: Get Comfy and Settle Down with "Elizabethtown"
Click here to enjoy a long and lovely sneak peek of "Elizabethtown," which is the new film by writer/director Cameron Crowe. Starring Orlando Bloom ("The Lord of... More...

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