The Sure Thing (1985)

What differs "The Sure Thing" from the other romantic comedies from the mid 1980's is that this one succeeds in holding up rather superbly. Sure the story is not very original as it follows up in the annals of the most common genre in the Hollywood industry, the classic road movie. As what you'd expect the character/s travel across the country and as they tour one landmark to another, they usually embark on a quest of self-discovery and awareness of who they are whether good or bad. Lucky for our protagonists played by John Cusack and Daphne Zuniga their cross country trip sparks positive outlooks for the both of them. The young couple as we get to know them and understand them grow progressively as the film rolls on as they overcome their own perspectives of what they expect in love and also try to expunge all the negative feelings each one had for each other when we first meet them. It's a misnomer into thinking this is a traditional Brat Pack teenage sex comedy. An abundance of these films have a reputation of over-doing it with their lustful scenes. Sure "The Sure Thing" features some lust, mostly from Nicolette Sheridan, but the lust pretty much spoofs itself. And the love fantasies are just mere illusions of Cusack's definition of love."The Sure Thing" introduced us to both John Cusack and Daphne Zuniga. But what irks me was where it took them after that. Sure after playing youth-oriented roles during the 1980's, the 1990's is where Cusack's career really took off as went on to a successful career in the movie industry. It was a shame that Daphne didn't have that boost like John did. She was very effective in this pivotal role for her, and it seems she had a natural flair for comedy. The chemistry between these two couple was absolutely sublime as they played each other off very well. Zuniga was flawless as the brainy, but uptight Alison and Cusack was incredible as the laid-back loner type who does have magnetic good looks that attracts women. Sure he's intelligent and witty and can be approachable, he just doesn't have the ability to make an impact towards women.Even though some things are dated like the clothes and hairstyles and whatnot, but it still a charming film that still can be quite appealing even to this day. Sure the music is still put in the 1980's vacuum that hasn't escaped to the modern day spectrum, but it does everything it can to make it feel like it's being viewed to our time. Also look out for Oscar nominee Tim Robbins and Anthony Edwards in low-key but effective performances.

it's not one of John Cusak's best films but it is worth watching. The only thing that disappointed me was that there wasn't a strong chemistry between his character Gib and Daphne Zuniga's character, you really can't feel the spark until the very end when the teacher is reading his paper about "The Sure Thing." I think the best parts of the film are his dream sequences and when he's showing her how to drink beer properly. If anything, the film really shows the birth of John Cusak's characters and how he plays them; the quirky over educated love enthused guy who's waiting for "that dare to be great situation" (if i may quote "Say anything"). A well deserved must see.

This is an excellent movie at a great price from amazon.Get it as a Xmas present or to watch with your loved ones.This is a college romance(why don't they make those anymore?) and thus has more depth than the high school romcoms that are either gross or immature.At a New England college we see 2 students in an English Lit. class.He is brash,irreverent,superficial,make-it-up-as-you-go-along guy.She is studious,prim,organised,focused.You just know that they are made for each other,because each can save the other from their foolishness. The question is will they realise it? A series of disastrous encounters between the 2 reinforces the poor opinion each has of the other during the school term(and there are some great lines to remember).But each is going to L.A. for the Xmas holidays.Cusack to meet every guy's fantasy- a date with a gorgeous California girl,that his best buddy has set him up with and whom is guaranteed to be a "sure thing"! Zuniga is going out to L.A. to see her equally studious boyfriend whom she calls at 7.45pm each night.By accident ,they find themselves in the same car sharing the trip with 2 others(who are absolutely hilarious simpletons).Zuniga and Cusack spend the whole trip arguing,bickering and annoying each other to the point that they get abandoned in the roadway by the others.And so they decide to hitch/walk to L.A. Along the way they start to discover different facets of the other,that challenge their hitherto first impressions. She can be spontaneous, open minded and warm.He can be gallant and caring.Watch for the scene in the truck driven by a wonderfully sleazy actor (did he play the drill sergeant in "full metal jacket"?)where Cusack basically saves Zuniga from a fate worse than death (as Jane Austen would say).But every time these 2 start to get closer,something prevents them from coming together.My wife shouted at the screen-"Kiss her now you idiot!" twice-once after the beer chugging scene, and once after the waking up scene.Anyway,as the trip unfolds,we see Cusack's recurring fantasies about his blonde "sure thing" begin to wobble.Until finally,to his surprise and part horror,his recurring dream about the blonde morphs at the crucial moment into Zuniga which wakes him up with a start.His true feelings about Zuniga are beginning to surface and Reiner handles this beautifully.Watch how her suitcase plays a key role too.Throughout the trip she is lugging this big suitcase with everything you could need as any organised girl would.And he lets her do it.But at a key point,Cusack picks it up for her and says "that's OK I got it".And that's when you know he has fallen for her big-time. But once more,just as you think they are going to be OK,he manages to screw it up,when he tells a truck driver (who is giving them the final ride to LA)that he is going there to meet his sure thing.Zuniga,who doesn't know why he is going to LA as it hasn't come up,wakes up in the back just as Cusack is boasting about the "sure thing",and she feels totally betrayed-given her growing feelings for him,but doesn't say anything. When they get to LA ,all hell breaks loose,as she throws back in his face the comments she overheard .They are totally confused about their feelings for each other,but neither knows how to break the cycle of closeness followed by distrust.She goes to her boyfriend and he goes to meet the blonde at a party. Once with her boyfriend Zuniga realises that she can't stop thinking about Cusack,and misses being with him.So,she talks her boyfriend(who is clearly destined to be an ex-boyfriend)into going to the party.There she works hard to get Cusack jealous,and then watches Cusack as he returns the compliment.A big argument ensues between them ,and she storms out in a jealous rage.In a one-sided conversation with herself out loud,Zuniga runs through ALL the things that upset her about Cusack ,with some great lines(from Zuniga-"he thinks love is something you can order like a pizza!").They both leave the party separately. She with boyfriend ,he with blonde. Does she go to bed with her boyfriend?Does he go to bed with the blonde? We don't know. But the next time we see them,they are in the same English class again after the holidays ,where she won't talk to him. And then the English prof reads out loud from the best essay that has been handed in after the Xmas vacation.It's called "the sure thing" and it's by Cusack. Zuniga cringes in horror expecting the final humiliation-and a public one at that.But as the essay is read out by the prof to the class ,something happens in the essay that she did not foresee at all.It becomes clear that Cusack understood the difference between the "real thing" (with her)and a "sure thing" (with the gorgeous blonde) and that the "real thing" is what counts. "You didn't sleep with her?" Zuniga asks filled with surprise/wonder. Aaah..... see the rest for yourselves.My teenage kids loved it,and maybe they will remember it and focus on the "real thing" as they develop their relationships.

Director Rob Reiner showcases yet another facet of his talent with this most delightful romantic comedy about two terminally opposite college students who share a cross-country ride in order to meet up with their respective love interests.Predictable and old-fashioned in extremis, the film never appears goofy, mean-spirited, or pretentious, as was the case with many of its contemporary competitors. In fact, its few flaws are easily overlooked by its sure-footed direction, wonderful cast - and two of movie history's funniest oxymorons: 1) 'Sponatiety has its time and place' 2) 'I'm intellectual and stuff'