Jun. 04, 2003 - 12:53 pm
i guess i've always kind of had the urge to see this one, but i never got around to it until now. i used to always get this confused with Better Off Dead (1985), but these two movies are actually nothing alike. i realized also when i started watching it that i knew absolutely nothing about it other than the fact that John Cusack at some point holds up a boombox in the air.
the movie is about a group of students that have just graduated from high school and are deciding what to do with their lives. Diane Court is the school valedictorian and has plans to go to England with a fellowship that she has just won for all of the great work that she has done during high school. Lloyd Dobler is a very intelligent guy, but he cares about music, his friends, and kickboxing. still, he can't get his mind off of Diane. she's the girl that no one seems to have ever even spoken to, but she's so beautiful and seems like an amazing person. he finally works up the guts to call her and ask her out and she actually goes with him to a party to everyone's surprise. after that they're inseparable...until her close relationship with her father starts to slowly destroy things between her and Lloyd.
wow, Ione Skye and John Cusack are unbelievable in this. i'm seriously surprised that they didn't end up together after being in this together. the chemistry between them is flawless. and i love the way they are written. they're both experienced, but so pure and childlike in their relationship. it feels like a high school relationship that we've all had, but you can still identify with it for a long time after you've been in that situation. you still have the feelings with you. and it's a great feeling really, so it's impossible to take your eyes off the screen while you're watching this.
ok, this is now my favorite John Cusack movie. the rest of his movies are decent, but this is the only one that i can see myself really seeking out in the future to watch again and again. i agree with those who have said that this is the perfect part for him. he doesn't have a great range as an actor. he generally plays the same sorts of characters. but this one uses his talents to the fullest and you end up adoring him. it really is a great film.