Say Anything...

Year: 1989 (USA)
Genre: Romantic Comedy/High School Movie
Directed: Cameron Crowe
Stars: John Cusack, Ione Skye, John Mahoney, Lili Taylor, Amy Brooks, Pamela Adlon, Jason Gould, Loren Dean, Glenn Walker Harris Jr.
Production: Gracie Films

Say Anything… (1989) is one of those rare late-eighties, early-nineties romantic comedies that can appeal to both men and the fairer sex. You know the type: When Harry Met Sally… (1989) Pretty Woman (1990) Sleepless in Seattle (1993) et al. Yet Say Anything… is one of the few exceptionally good and mature love stories that takes place in the torrid-love-affair-overload land of high school. Well maybe not, it more takes place in the insular time between high school and college but let’s not split hairs for the sake of the kids.

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John Cusack plays an eccentric yet well-meaning goofball whose been pining for the school’s valedictorian for a good long while. His friends played by Amy Brooks and a singularly jejune Lily Taylor think she’s out of his league; “brains stick with brains,” she says while strumming her guitar. Yet Lloyd Dobler takes a chance anyway and to his great surprise gets a yes from Ione Skye’s ethereal ingénue. They then are given the summer to bond before she goes to college in England.

Love means never having to say...agh! Water in my nose!

The start of the movie lulls you into a false sense of knowing. Of course Lloyd Dobler is going to end up going out with Diane Court. Everyone including her father (John Mahoney) doesn’t think it’s going to work out. Their names are even phonetically at odds. Diane? Lloyd? Might as well call them Joe and Princess Ann. Yet this movie isn’t about falling in love, it’s about being in love and believe me there is a big difference.

Dobler and Diane grow to love one another by relating to each other and have a mutual interest in learning about each other. Lloyd looks out for her and accepts the goals she has made for herself and adapts accordingly. While we do see less adaptation from Diane it’s hard for her to accommodate Lloyd when his life plans are so up in the air. Yet even with his tacit inkling towards a career in kickboxing you can tell Diane would be there to support him when push comes to shove. They have a good thing going and quickly shed the clique dynamics of high school in exchange for something more real.

Real and less volatile as evidenced by the juxtaposition of Lily Taylor’s obsession with a two timer named Joe (Loren Dean). That single relationship informs her worldview and is the impetuous for her songwriting yet at first glance he clearly isn’t worth the heartache. It’s a childish obsession at odds with Lloyd’s commitment based interconnection with Diane. When Diane describes her first sexual experience with Lloyd to her father, it wasn’t a decision wholly based on a whim. She put thought into her adult decision and Lloyd was right there, chomping at the bit like guys would, but still being an adult about it.

Diane is given abundant support by her loving father who is displeased with her choice in boyfriend. Lloyd might be sincere but his ambitions are nebulous which would concern any protective father. Yet don’t think for a moment John Mahoney’s Mr. Court is the bad guy, even if the subplot involving money laundering feels skivvy. The very fact that Diane could confide in him when she loses her virginity should be evidence enough of their special bond. Even Lloyd picks up on the supportive relationship saying “You two are amazing, you know? The way you talk…I’m not even like that with anybody.”

Now call me daddy!

Say Anything… is a romantic comedy in the classical sense. In one exchange Diane says “Nobody thinks it will work do they?” to which Lloyd retorts, “No, you just described every great success story.” Yet director Cameron Crowe probes deeper than frivolity. It’s a love story that examines love through sacrifice, commitment, compromise and growth. There are many films that express the elation of falling hear over heals, the serendipity of forming close bonds and the promise of romance. But few ever give you the true meaning and consequence of love. Ultimately it’s not about a sentimental letter or sending flowers, mostly it’s about holding someone’s hands and telling them things are going to turn out alright.

What do you mean It's Always Sunny is being canceled?

Final Grade: C-