Say Anything...

It is slightly embarrassing to admit that I have not seen this film before. I've attempted watch it several times, but never succeeded in watching it all the way through.

The story takes place in Seattle, Washington in which Lloyd Dobler (played by John Cusack) has just graduated High School and has set his eyes on the valedictorian, Diane Court (played by Ione Skye). The two differ in so many ways that, naturally, everyone around them question their budding romance. For example, Diane has won a fellowship to study in England and Lloyd's only aspiration is to become a kick boxer; Diane is highly intelligent and scholarly while Lloyd is a somewhat mediocre student. But Lloyd's curiosity and kindness towards Diane convince her to take a chance on him.

Turmoil erupts within Diane's family life when the Internal Revenues Service accuses her father, Jim, of stealing money from deceased patients of his nursing home. This predicament creates tension between Diane and Lloyd because she feels that she should spend more time with her father.

Once her father finds out that she spent the night with Jim he attempts to force a break up. HIs actions eventually lead to Diane dumping Lloyd despite the fact that she loves him. But in the end, as we all expected, Lloyd wins Diane's heart once again when she finds out that her father is guilty of tax fraud and has kept it a secret from her.

This film is quintessentially 80s- the fashion, the music, the hair, the cast (John Cusak is a big 80s star). I mean, Lloyd's four year old nephew sports a mullet, you can't get much more 80s than that. One aspect of it that comes through in more modern films is the dependency of the female character on men. Diane has blind faith when it comes to her father, but once his image is ruined she runs back to Lloyd for emotional support.

All in all I greatly enjoyed this film. It's one of those classic 80s movie that everyone should see.