Say Anything

The Gist: Recent high school graduates Lloyd and Diane lead very different lives. She's very smart, driven, and an overachiever who is adored, supported, and validated by her father. He's kind of a drifter, unsure of what he wants to do with his life, who likes kickboxing and would love to date Diane. He will, although her father objects, but when Diane gets a full scholarship to a school in England, things get complicated.

Say Anything is the typical coming-of-age American flick in which boy likes/wants/meets girl, but when they finally get together life gets in the way. Although it has acquired cult-like status, I only found it mediocre.

Regardless, it was Cameron Crowe's directorial debut and it certainly put him on the map. It features John Cusack in what is probably his most iconic role, Ione Skye as the love interest, and John Mahoney as her father. Lili Taylor, Joan Cusack, Eric Stoltz, Bebe Neuwirth, and Jeremy Piven are among the supporting players.

The Bottom Line: While I find the status it has achieved to be unwarranted, Say Anything is a fairly charming love story between two very different people.

Grade: 6