56. THE SURE THING (comedy/romance, 1984) Just graduated from High School 18-yearold Walter (John Cusack) is excited at the prospect of attending a prestigious NY College so he can check out the babes on campus. But he's disappointed to find them more frigid than the cold climate. He sets his sights on preppy Alison (Daphne Zuniga). But bourgeois Alison is just not interested. Depressed, Walter accepts an invitation from his buddy to join him in California, where he sets him up with a 'sure thing'. Hitching a ride across America, he accidentally gets stuck with Alison.
Critique: Unabashedly witty, funny 80s teen romp from actor turned director Rob Reiner. With the likable John Cusack in the lead role the films' flimsy, savvy attitude reminded me of Crowes' 'Say Anything' (1989). In fact these 2 movies would perfectly serve as a double feature with the 'Sure Thing' serving as prequel to 'Say Anything'. Cusacks' characters in both are oddly similar and their story could well be a progression of character development. Both films share similar snobbish, 'preppy' female leads. Daphne Zuniga is both cute and conceited (whatever happened to her movie career?).
Among the many hilarious and touching scenes involve: Walter courting Alison in a swimming hall; Walter's day dreams with his 'sure thing'; his friend giving him advice on pickup lines; Walter and Alison seeking refuge from the rain in a roofless old shack.
This was probably the genesis to Reiners' own smash hit years later 'When Harry Met Sally'.
QUOTES: 'Trucker': 'A sure thing? A sure thing no questions asked, no strings attached?! A sure thing?! My whole life I've never had a sure thing.'
Critique: Unabashedly witty, funny 80s teen romp from actor turned director Rob Reiner. With the likable John Cusack in the lead role the films' flimsy, savvy attitude reminded me of Crowes' 'Say Anything' (1989). In fact these 2 movies would perfectly serve as a double feature with the 'Sure Thing' serving as prequel to 'Say Anything'. Cusacks' characters in both are oddly similar and their story could well be a progression of character development. Both films share similar snobbish, 'preppy' female leads. Daphne Zuniga is both cute and conceited (whatever happened to her movie career?).
Among the many hilarious and touching scenes involve: Walter courting Alison in a swimming hall; Walter's day dreams with his 'sure thing'; his friend giving him advice on pickup lines; Walter and Alison seeking refuge from the rain in a roofless old shack.
This was probably the genesis to Reiners' own smash hit years later 'When Harry Met Sally'.
QUOTES: 'Trucker': 'A sure thing? A sure thing no questions asked, no strings attached?! A sure thing?! My whole life I've never had a sure thing.'