Say Anything...

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2:20

Say Anything...

PG-13

1989

1h 40m

Romance

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

98%

Tomatometer

50 Reviews

85%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

In a charming, critically acclaimed tale of first love, Lloyd (John Cusack), an eternal optimist, seeks to capture the heart of Diane (Ione Skye), an unattainable high-school beauty and straight-A student. It surprises just about everyone when she returns the sentiment. But Diane's overly possessive, divorced father (John Mahoney) doesn't approve, and it will take more than the power of love to conquer all.

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Critics Consensus

One of the definitive Generation X movies, Say Anything... is equally funny and heartfelt -- and it established John Cusack as an icon for left-of-center types everywhere.

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Kirk Honeycutt

The Hollywood Reporter

04/14/2017

Say Anything is an easy film to like.

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Bill Weber

Slant Magazine

11/19/2009

3.5/4

Say Anything was a singularly three-dimensional teen romance after a decade of broad gags and breakfast-club stereotypes in John Hughesland.

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Variety Staff

Variety

07/17/2007

Cusack and Skye's relationship develops nicely and believably, but Crowe has not written an entirely convincing character for the latter to play.

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Richard Freedman

Newark Star-Ledger

Jan 6

3.5/4

It has the authentic glow and wry humor of a Scott Fitzgerald story.

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Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

01/29/2025

4/5

A film that examines teens through a fair-minded lens, seeing them as regular people with real-world feelings and their own complexities... And while it still feels very much like a 1980’s movie, it has a grounded human quality that never ages out.

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Joe Lipsett

Hazel & Katniss & Harry & Starr Podcast

04/11/2023

A surprisingly mature teen film about negotiating the transition from teen to adulthood, anchored by a seminal John Cusack performance whose Lloyd Dobler has rightfully become an icon of the genre.

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Joel H

@786Joel Jul 23

What can be said about Say Anything? It is so much more than the iconic image of Lloyd Dobler raising a boombox over his head, trying to win the heart of Diane Court. Although, that definitely is a memorable movie moment. This film presents a realistic teen romance with plenty of humor and a surprising amount of drama. Lloyd, the amazing man with a terrible haircut, is the hero of every guy who wanted to date a girl who was seemingly out of his league. I wanted to be Lloyd when I was in high school. I’ve watched Say Anything many times and every time I do, I am reminded of how much I enjoy it.

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Alejandro E

@Alex970 Jul 11

Although it’s a romantic comedy, it feels like a fresh take, thanks to the simple premise of how to win someone over and then win them back. The scene where he serenades her with a Peter Gabriel song is a classic – it really hits the spot.

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Michael D

@MichaelX Jul 8

Cameron Crowe’s 1989 gem "Say Anything" holds up beautifully, and the reason isn't complicated: authentic, relatable characters will carry a story every time. This was another tick off our Best of the 1980s and 90s film festival, recently featuring "St. Elmo’s Fire" and several John Hughes entries, and perhaps the most effortlessly rewatchable entry yet. The nostalgia hit hard; this came out my sophomore year of college, and watching those post-graduation house party scenes felt like remembrances from another time, including the many soirees I hosted on Sands Avenue. How did we survive? A pleasant surprise in the film: the iconic Lloyd and the boombox moment with "In Your Eyes" blaring at Diane doesn't actually seal the deal immediately. He still has to earn it, but he does, and off they go to a new life in London. Fun nostalgia!

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Dominic B

@RT83360345 Jun 24

Good, easy entertainment for a summer afternoon when it's too hot to go outside. Cusack and Lili Taylor are always fun to watch.

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Emerson H.

@RTreviews7282 May 28

It’s a good movie, though I remember the iconic scene being a bit more iconic…

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Fiona H

@Fifi72 May 16

I usually love John Cusack. My teenage daughter and I watched this and found we were cringing throughout. She won’t be letting me choose a movie again anytime soon.

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Cameron Crowe

Director

John Cusack

Lloyd Dobler

Ione Skye

Diane Court

John Mahoney

James Court

Lili Taylor

Corey Flood

Amy Brooks

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Synopsis

In a charming, critically acclaimed tale of first love, Lloyd (John Cusack), an eternal optimist, seeks to capture the heart of Diane (Ione Skye), an unattainable high-school beauty and straight-A student. It surprises just about everyone when she returns the sentiment. But Diane's overly possessive, divorced father (John Mahoney) doesn't approve, and it will take more than the power of love to conquer all.

Director: Cameron Crowe
Producer: Polly Platt
Screenwriter: Cameron Crowe
Distributor: 20th Century Fox
Production Co: Gracie Films, Twentieth Century Fox
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Romance
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 14, 1989, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 25, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $20.0M
Runtime: 1h 40m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby SR, Dolby A, Dolby Stereo
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)