Say Anything (1984) – 8/10 – Charming film mixed with humor, romance, and great performances
Say Anything is a 1980s high school film starring John Cusack, who plays Lloyd, and Ione Skye, who plays Diane. Lloyd is not particularly smart and doesn’t know what he wants to do with his life, but he has charisma, is a gentleman, and is good with people. Diane is a beautiful high school valedictorian with dreams of attending Oxford, but relatively unknown because of her focus on studies. Two very different people from two very different worlds. However, Lloyd musters up the courage and asks Diane out over the phone (her dad picks up in a comedic conversation). The two fall in love in this charming, clever, fresh film. It avoids the typical cliches and leaves you happy with a satisfying touching feeling of closure. Both characters are also very likable, innocent, and full of life. Cusack and Skye were meant to play their respective roles and together. That chemistry is wonderful from start to finish.
Would I recommend it? Yes. I think it is a very much underrated gem. One of the top 5 high school films of the 1980s.
