Movies & Television: 24543024538 › Item #124730113

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, &doublequote;a brain trapped in the body of a
game show hostess.&doublequote; 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. &newline;&newline;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 &doublequote;spend as much time as possible with your
daughter&doublequote; 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.&newline;&newline;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.