Audience Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Binding: VHS Tape
EAN: 9786301412766
Format: Closed-captioned
ISBN: 6301412761
Label: 20th Century Fox
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox
Number Of Items: 1
Publisher: 20th Century Fox
Release Date: 2000-05-23
Running Time: 100
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Theatrical Release Date: 1989-04-14

In this charming critically-acclaimed tale of first love, Lloyd (John Cusack), an eternal optimist, seeks to capture the heart of Diane, an unattainable high school beauty and straight-A student (Ione Skye). He surprises just about everyone-including himself-when she returns the sentiment. But Diane's over-possessive, divorced Dad (John Mahoney) doesn't approve and it's going to take more than just the power of love to conquer all.
Seven years after he earned his first screen credit as the writer of Fast Times at Ridgemont High, former Rolling Stone writer Cameron Crowe made his directorial debut with this acclaimed romantic comedy starring John Cusack and Ione Skye as unlikely lovers on the cusp of adulthood. The casting is perfect, and Crowe's rookie direction is appropriately unobtrusive, no doubt influenced by his actor-loving, Oscar®-winning mentor, James L. Brooks. But the real strength of Crowe's work is his exceptional writing, his timely grasp of contemporary rhythms and language (he's frequently called "the voice of a generation"), and the rich humor and depth of his fully developed characters. In Say Anything... Cusack and Skye play recent high school graduates enjoying one final summer before leaping into a lifetime of adult responsibilities. Lloyd (Cusack) is an aspiring kickboxer with no definite plans; Diane (Skye) is a valedictorian with intentions to further her education in Europe. Together they find unlikely bliss, but there's also turbulence when Diane's father (John Mahoney)--who only wants what's best for his daughter--is charged with fraud and tax evasion. Favoring strong performances over obtrusive visual style, Crowe focuses on his unique characters and the ambitions and fears that define them; the movie's a treasure trove of quiet, often humorous revelations of personality. Lili Taylor and Eric Stoltz score high marks for memorable supporting roles, and Cusack's own sister Joan is perfect in scenes with her onscreen and offscreen brother. A rare romantic comedy that's as funny as it is dramatically honest, Say Anything... marked the arrival of a gifted writer-director who followed up with the underrated Singles before scoring his first box-office smash with Jerry Maguire. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Rating:
Summary: 3 stars out 4
Comment: The Bottom Line:

Though Ione Skye is not a terribly good actress and the script seems too willing to leave its young lovers to focus on other, less appealing characters, Say Anything is a smarter-than-average teen movie that easily outstrips most of John Hughes' work.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: If you like John Cusack, you will love this movie
Comment: This is one of the most down to earth romantic movies I have ever seen. Who would not love to be the object of Lloyd Dobbler's affection. I can see this movie over and over again and never tire of it. John is an incredible actor and is so real, it stings at times.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: don't want to sell anything, buy anything, or process anything
Comment: Cameron Crowe directed this little movie, and he has created a feminist statement. It is from the romantic comedy, subdivision teen, genre, but it is a story told from a female perspective. It is like a female fantasy, new age sensitive guy--but the problem is, in real life the girl would never go for the guy, even though in the fantasy movie they do, in real life, not so much. But if you can suspend your disbelief long enough, it is an entertaining little tale.

Lloyd Dobler (John Cusack) met Diane Court (Ione Skye) in a mall food court, but she is way out of his league. She has a fellowship and she is headed for the Ivy League. Lloyd Dobler has only feeble dreams of kick boxing glory, but though he is hopelessly outclassed, he goes for her anyway.

Her father, Jim Court (John Mahoney), presents Lloyd's main obstacle. Hey, it's Martin Crane, from the Frasier TV Show. His character here is much meaner than Marty Crane:

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Jim Court: You're not a permanent part of her life. You're a distraction.

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He is so protective of his daughter; you'd think he was jealous. He just wants the best for her, though. But what he does to get it, you don't want to know. That is the skeleton in his closet.

Lloyd is a post-modern, sensitive male. He even has female friends--chief among them Corey Flood. She and D.C. (Amy Brooks) offer moral support and advice:

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Corey Flood: Diane Court doesn't go out with guys like you. She's a brain.
D.C.: Trapped in the body of a game-show hostess.

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But Corey has a few issues of her own. She has more baggage than a three-wheeled cart stuck on a Jet Blue tarmac. She has written 65 songs about Joe, her ex-boyfriend, and she carries a guitar to parties where she makes her friends listen to them all. In spite of their advice about the hopelessness of pursuing Diane Court Lloyd soldiers on. He is persistent, I'll give him that. And it pays off:

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Corey Flood: Did you sleep with her?
Lloyd Dobler: I admit nothing.
D.C.: Lloyd, it's us.
Corey Flood: Look at his face. He did the deed.
D.C.: You're an inspiration, Lloyd. You should go on the 700 Club or something.

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They are not the only ones who are baffled by the headway Lloyd is making with Diane Court:

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Mike Cameron: I don't know you very well, you know, but I wanted to ask you - how'd you get Diane Court to go out with you?
Lloyd Dobler: I called her up.
Mike Cameron: But how come it worked? I mean, like, what are you?
Lloyd Dobler: I'm Lloyd Dobler.
Mike Cameron: This is great. This gives me hope. Thanks.

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This story is boy-gets-girl, boy-loses-girl, so you know the boy just simply must get-girl-back. But not without a lot of pain and anguish on the boy's part:

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D.C.: Lloyd, why do you have to be like this?
Lloyd Dobler: 'Cause I'm a guy. I have pride.
Corey Flood: You're not a guy.
Lloyd Dobler: I am.
Corey Flood: No. The world is full of guys. Be a man. Don't be a guy.

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Lloyd finally has his epiphany, and sets out after Diane with renewed purpose:

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Lloyd Dobler: The rain on my car is a baptism, the new me, Ice Man, Power Lloyd, my assault on the world begins now.

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In summary, this was a very solid effort by director Cameron Crowe. The young John Cusack totally carries the film, an unlikely but irrepressible leading man, a veritable force of nature. Ione Skye, the daughter of Scottish singer Donovan, has the rock star daughter looks of a Liv Tyler, but with brains, or she can at least pass for a valedictorian. She hits all the right notes, and looks smart doing it. Lili Taylor really stood out in her small part of female pal. And great laughs at the contrast when he hangs out with the guys. They give stupid advice, much worse than he gets from his female friends. My favorite character here is Mark (Jeremy Piven).

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Lloyd Dobler: I got a question. If you guys know so much about women, how come you're here at like the Gas 'n' Sip on a Saturday night completely alone drinking beers with no women anywhere?
Joe: By choice, man.
Mark: Yeah. By choice.

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Lloyd might not know what he wants to do, other than hang out with Jim Court's daughter, but he knows what he doesn't want:

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Lloyd Dobler: 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.

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Cameron Crowe ... Director

Almost Famous (2000)

Jerry Maguire (1996)

Singles (1992)


John Cusack ... Lloyd Dobler

High Fidelity (2000) .... Rob Gordon

Being John Malkovich (1999) .... Craig Schwartz

The Grifters (Miramax Collector's Series) (1990) .... Roy Dillon

Sixteen Candles (1984) .... Bryce


Ione Skye ... Diane Court

Wayne's World (1992) .... Elyse

River's Edge (1986) (as Ione Skye Leitch) .... Clarissa


John Mahoney ... James Court

"Frasier" .... Martin Crane (263 episodes, 1993-2004)
- Goodnight, Seattle: Part 1 (2004) TV episode .... Martin Crane
- Goodnight, Seattle: Part 2 (2004) TV episode .... Martin Crane
- Crock Tales (2004) TV episode .... Martin Crane
- Detour (2004) TV episode .... Martin Crane
- And Frasier Makes Three (2004) TV episode .... Martin Crane
(258 more)

Reality Bites (10th Anniversary Edition) (1994) .... Grant Gubler

Barton Fink (1991) .... W.P. Mayhew


Lili Taylor ... Corey Flood

The Notorious Bettie Page (2005) .... Paula Klaw

Factotum (2005) .... Jan

High Fidelity (2000) .... Sarah Kendrew

Pecker (1998) .... Rorey Wheeler

I Shot Andy Warhol (1996) .... Valerie Jean Solanas

Prêt-à-Porter (1994) .... Fiona Ulrich

Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle (1994) .... Edna Ferber

Dogfight (1991) .... Rose

This movie is like having a conversation with a close friend, someone you can "Say Anything" to.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Decent romantic drama.
Comment: People love this movie but Say Anything is the kind of teen film that fades with time. The soundtrack is the true winner but I felt kind of felt disappointed after watching this John Cusack flick. He is a great actor and so is Ione Skye who plays his love interest but I feel writer/director Cameron Crowe's writing is overrated, not sure why he gets so much attention. This film is good just not as tender-hearted as I thought it would be.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Enjoyable
Comment: I was actually surprised, after watching this film, of how mediocre it was. I guess my expectations were so high, as my older sister (born in the mid-70's) hails this as a classic. Don't get me wrong, I can very easily see this film being a classic for her generation, but for someone out of that age bracket, someone like myself born in the mid-80's, this was simply an enjoyable film. Perhaps it just didn't carry the weight it did for her.

As far as the film direction is concerned, as an independent-minded film goer, I was quite surprised to see Cameron Crowe's concentration on dialog (as opposed to a certain stylistic appeal most independents go for). The dialog feels so real to me, less scripted, less "this is a film your watching". Cusak is superb, but very Cusak. John Mahoney's performance is also beyond excellent.

As for the storyline, I disagree with many claiming this to be a formulaic romantic teen film. In fact I find its storyline to be extraordinarily unique, particularly given the nature of the father/daughter relationship and Cusak and Skye's character types, where Cusak was the popular guy at school who everyone seemed to love and Skye was the brainy/beautiful/mysterious girl, who everyone was always intrigued by but never seemed to do anything about it.

The bottom line is Crowe wrote a fantastic story and it worked well on the screen. For people like myself, who want to see this film for the first time in the 00's, get your expectations down a few levels and be prepared for a sweet feeling and generally good movie. For those interested, I plan on discussing/reviewing all of Crowe's films in the upcoming weeks as I watch them, so stay tuned.

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