Say Anything...

Name: Say Anything...
Genre: Drama, Comedy, Romance
Released: April 4, 1989
Duration: 100 min
Rating: 86
Cast: Ione Skye, John Cusack

1989

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 19 Critic Reviews

See All

USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 95 Ratings

See All

8.1

VOTE NOW

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

8.1	Your Score
8.1	User Score Universal acclaim based on 95 Ratings

Would you like to write a review?

There is a 75 character minimum for reviews. If your review contains spoilers, please check the Spoiler box. Please do not use ALL CAPS. There is no linking or other HTML allowed. Your review may be edited for content. 0/5000

Check box if your review contains spoilers

Play Sound

Please enter your birth date to watch this video:

You are not allowed to view this material at this time.

Say Anything

Now Playing: Say Anything

Movie Details & Credits

Fox Network | Release Date: April 4, 1989 | PG-13

Starring: Ione Skye, John Cusack

Summary: John Cusack plays Lloyd Dobler--an average guy with a penchant for kickboxing. There is only one thing that all-around nice guy Lloyd wants for his high school graduation: a date with beautiful valedictorian Diane Court (Skye). Lloyd's dream comes true when Diane accepts his invitation to a graduation party. Diane falls for Lloyd, whoseJohn Cusack plays Lloyd Dobler--an average guy with a penchant for kickboxing. There is only one thing that all-around nice guy Lloyd wants for his high school graduation: a date with beautiful valedictorian Diane Court (Skye). Lloyd's dream comes true when Diane accepts his invitation to a graduation party. Diane falls for Lloyd, whose goal is to spend as much time with her as possible. Their budding romance is put to the test when Diane has to choose between pursuing her academic dreams and spending time with him. John Mahoney is first-rate as Diane's father, a single parent who wants only the best for his brilliant daughter but who harbors a serious secret that the IRS is investigating. [20th Century Fox]… Expand

Director: Cameron Crowe

Genre(s): Drama, Comedy, Romance

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 100 min

See All Details and Credits

Watch Now

Stream On

Buy on

Stream On

Expand

Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

100

Staff (Not Credited)

It all comes down to one scene: John Cusack, standing at dusk, boom box aloft, blaring Peter Gabriel's ''In Your Eyes'' outside Ione Skye's window. This, friends, is what rapturous, heartrending, soul-spinning love is all about. Read full review

100

Brad Laidman

To me, Say Anything is without a shadow of a doubt the most rewarding, funny, and likable romance of the last twenty years. It heralds the decency of romantic love against the gears of a cold, grinding mechanical world. Read full review

Sheila Benson

A film of warmth, insight, humor and surprising originality… [It] isn't perfect, but when it's good, which is every moment John Cusack is on screen, it's a living joy. And when it's not-so-good--earthbound and not inventive enough--it s till almost single-handedly redeems the breed. [14 April 1989]

Dave Kehr

Complex, knotty and at times even uncomfortable; its world has a weight and heft that makes its ultimate romanticism seem genuinely transcendant, genuinely magical. [14 April 1989]

Pauline Kael

John Cusack and Mahoney have to carry the unconvincing melodramatic portion of the plot, but they carry it stunningly. [15 May 1989]

Tom Green

Crowe has invented a fresh character in Lloyd Dobler, and Cusack has invested him with an ingratiating persona that helps avert disaster when things become a bit melodramatic in the final resolution. [14 April 1989]

Staff (Not Credited)

A half-baked love story, full of good intentions but uneven in the telling. Read full review

SEE ALL 19 REVIEWS

Write a Review

User Reviews

marymaebennett

Sep 22, 2017

As an almost 17 year old, today was my first time seeing it and wow! Diane's style was a huge hit or huge miss but that's hardly a way to rate a film. Really powerful performance by John Mahoney. Great lighting! But most importantly, the characters acted like subtle teens but there was allAs an almost 17 year old, today was my first time seeing it and wow! Diane's style was a huge hit or huge miss but that's hardly a way to rate a film. Really powerful performance by John Mahoney. Great lighting! But most importantly, the characters acted like subtle teens but there was all the magic of a movie.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

JuhaH.

Jan 21, 2006

The best Cameron Crowe movie! And that's saying a lot.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

SusanL.

Mar 1, 2008

A skewed love story built on the American class system. Director Cameron Crowe is a marvel.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

ydnar4

Jan 4, 2016

Say Anything is an excellent directorial debut for Cameron Crowe, one of my personal favorites. It hangs on to its time and you can always associate this film with the time frame it was released in. It's got all the quirkiness that became Crowe's trademark as his film career went on. TheSay Anything is an excellent directorial debut for Cameron Crowe, one of my personal favorites. It hangs on to its time and you can always associate this film with the time frame it was released in. It's got all the quirkiness that became Crowe's trademark as his film career went on. The soundtrack is great which doesn't even need to be said of a Crowe film. John Cusask plays a unique, but likeable and memorable character in Lloyd Dobler and then Ione Skye gives what is likely the best performance of her career. Say Anything is simply a classic and belongs up there with the rom com classics.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Spangle

Jun 3, 2016

I love coming of age films and Say Anything is certainly no exception. Featuring fantastic performances from John Cusack and Ione Skye, the film is the quintessential coming of age film. With iconic moment after iconic moment, Say Anything crafts a truly adorable romance that providesI love coming of age films and Say Anything is certainly no exception. Featuring fantastic performances from John Cusack and Ione Skye, the film is the quintessential coming of age film. With iconic moment after iconic moment, Say Anything crafts a truly adorable romance that provides moments of adorableness and moments of pure comedy. Together, Cusack and Skye have incredible chemistry to help make this sweet high school dramedy come to life and feel fully authentic. Honestly, I wish Cameron Crowe still made films like this instead of, well, bad movies. Crowe really does a nice job writing and directing this one and crafts a truly nostalgic and sentimental look at the time between high school and college. Overall, Say Anything is one is the many quintessential 1980s high school films for good reasons: it's sweet, charming, and truly a riot.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

heromoder

May 18, 2015

A notable performance from John Cusack here. The script sparkles with authenticity, and the stars take advantage of this. My only criticism is that it was a little slow in places and a little too long, but otherwise a fine teen flick for fans of John Hughes.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

TheAnti360Fox

Apr 29, 2011

Sometimes slow, but with smooth performances by John Cusack and Ione Skye, a great soundtrack and its mark in cultural significance, Say Anything is a great coming-of-age flick from the golden age of teen films. If you haven't seen this movie already, see it.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

SEE ALL 9 REVIEWS