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.

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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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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Neil M

@RT31501163 Apr 28

I watched this almost by accident, my wife had put it on and I started half paying attention until it drew me in, I might have to watch it again! The wonderful thing about this film is that every single character is likeable. Their lives are complicated and messy, but (arguably) nobody does anything out of pure malice or selfishness. There are so many moments where you think someone might do something horrible, just to move the story along or create dramatic tension, but it always pleasantly upends your expectations. The characters act in ways that feel realistic and understandable. It kind of restores your faith in humanity, rather than ruining it, like so many movies do. All the performances are great, the two leads in particular. Absolutely loved it.

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Jon G

@RT43191456 Mar 28

A classic 80’s love story. A great script, acting, director.

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Shannon C.

@Reel_Intellect Mar 25

A definite old-school romantic love-story! Think of the notebook for example, but set back in time!!!!!♥️

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Jeremy W.

@wolzy Feb 4

Phenomenal movie with so much to like🤔👍

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Golden O

@RCChess Jan 19

Easily one of the most overrated movies of all time. I couldn't even finish it thats how bad the storyline was. A complete flop in my opinion👎🏻

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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)