MovieChat Forums > The Sure Thing (1985) Discussion > Best Cusack film of all.

Best Cusack film of all.

posted 18 years ago by thevicaroffunk
46 replies | jump to latest

When you think about Hollywood in the 80's, you cant help but cringe when the Rob Lowes and Judd Nelson's of this world enter your head. Cusack was'nt a brat pack actor and while those guys have been using their connections to get work since( certainly not their ability ), John Cusack continues to reign as an A lister on pure talent alone. The Sure Thing though is my favourite Cusack picture. I love so many...Gross Point Blank, 8 Men Out and Say Anything but this one is the most valuable among all those gems. He looks about 15 in this movie but he and the other actress(cant spell her name at this moment) managed to turn what might have been pure corn into a lovely and very funny romantic comedy. Long live the Cusack and hopefully one day this film will get the kudos it deserves.

[–] Greenteeth 18 years ago

This is my favorite. I probably would have liked "Say Anything" better if I hadn't seen this. He is very good in "Bullets Over Broadway."

[–] rdsla 18 years ago

I agree this is Cusack's best....I liked Say Anything too, but I think I would have to put High Fidelity at #2.....it's great, see it if you haven't.
He and Daphne Zuniga really played off each other perfectly in this film.

[–] frankycuttlas 18 years ago

Better off Dead is easily my favorite Cusack film.
#2 High Fideilty
#3 Being John Malkovich

I really like Stand by Me, but his role in that was small.

[–] pete0616 18 years ago

Yea, say anything is amazing, I like the sure thing, one crazy summer is actually really funny, bu cant be compared to the above.

[–] Moon_Child23 18 years ago

My favorite is Better Off Dead, but this one is a really close second. Ah...the memories..

"In the beginning, it is always dark."

[–] lilant 18 years ago

I have to say Better of Dead is my favorite too.

[–] luckymountshogan 18 years ago

I have to say that if 'Stand by me' counts then that is my favourite but other than that it would be say anything although it would be a very close call.

[–] rdsla 18 years ago

Frankly,
I agree with you.
Best Cusack films are:
Sure Thing
High Fidelity
Being John Malkovich

.....but close to those I would add Say Anything and The Grifters.

[–] dunbar7 16 years ago

I've gotta go with Grosse Pointe Blank, then The Sure Thing. But, let's face it, he's great in everything he's in. He brings the other actors up a notch as well.

"She's, like, a biscuit older than me..."

[–] gilbere71 16 years ago

Id go with Grosse Point Blank as my favourite (if i had to choose) but seeing as Better Off Dead & The Sure Thing were the first Cusack movies i saw, then they have to be at the top of the pile too.

Cracking films, Cracking actor....nuff said really

[–] mandygrrl424 16 years ago

I can't choose!

1) Say Anything
2) Sure Thing
3) Better Off Dead

On my now to see High Fidelity, and Gross Pointe Blank...trip to Best Buy to purchase in order!

"I'm the distraction that's going with her to England, sir."
-Say Anything

[–] dunbar7 16 years ago

Cool! Let us know what you think of those two.

"She's, like, a biscuit older than me..."

[–] mandygrrl424 16 years ago

I will be certain to do so on the High Fideltiy/Gross Pointe Blank messageboards;)

"I'm the distraction that's going with her to England, sir."
-Say Anything

[–] nutsberryfarm 15 years ago

he's always seemed a little bit short bus to me. but this movie is a classic.

---------------------------------------
"Rue the day?" Who talks like that?

[–] jstang411 15 years ago

Well "short bus" and "classic" in the same sentence is about the highest compliment Cusack and this movie could get.

[–] Beastgirl2 15 years ago

I just saw this movie today, and I have to say he was extra adorable in this one. Although I really like Better off Dead too. I have seen Say Anything, but I don't like it very much.

[–] jstang411 15 years ago

Not quite sure how you could like the first two and not the third, but if you want some addmittedly less than intracate Cruise try One Crazy Summer or Class (his first, co-starring Robe Lowe).

And here are some good later ones:

Grosse Pointe Blank (I think his best)
Must Love Dogs
Serendipity
Eight Men Out (a baseball movie/drama)

[–] 15 years ago

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[–] jstang411 14 years ago

I'm right with you -- Gross Point Blank is the best overall display of his character and talent and has an incredibly witty screenplay, but the Sure Thing is the best of the ones from his high school/college series of flicks.

[–] Promontorium 15 years ago

Two dollars...cash.

[–] lotsobats 15 years ago

I really love him in most of his movies my top ones would have to be (in no particular order)

The Sure Thing
Better of Dead
Say Anything
Pushing Tin
Must Love Dogs

1408 and runaway jury are also good movies though

It's funny how the colors of the real world only seem really real when you viddy them on the screen

[–] alligatoruk 13 years ago

Totally agree it's his best film. For a supposed 'teen' movie, it's actually really intelligent and well thought out. I want my own Walter Gibson!

Everyone seems to rate Say Anything as his best early film but I don't think that is anywhere near as good as The Sure Thing.

And don't even get me started on America's Sweethearts - groan.

[–] puredingo 13 years ago

What the hell!??? "The Grifters" Helllllllooooooooo???

I had a fish named Sam he lived in a bowl........

[–] alligatoruk 13 years ago

Actually I've only seen The Grifters once and I didn't like it but it was a long time ago and I was quite young at the time so my opinion might have changed on that one (being quite old now!).

But I think they are two different types of movie anyway, so I wouldn't really compare them, only to say that I love The Sure Thing and it's one of the most underrated films in its genre.

[–] puredingo 13 years ago

I agree, I've loved "the sure thing" since i taped it off tele as a kid and new it line for line.
I also first seen "the grifters" as a kid and didn't much like it (not even sure i made it through the entire film) but probably didn't really understand the sublties and complexities of it. Now on a recent viewing i loved it and really got a full appreciation of Cusaks talent and range.

I had a fish named Sam he lived in a bowl........

[–] alligatoruk 13 years ago

Now on a recent viewing i loved it and really got a full appreciation of Cusaks talent and range.

Then I may have to give it another viewing as a grown up!

I think also I like The Sure Thing because I like Gib - he would totally be my kind of guy.

[–] puredingo 13 years ago

Give it another look and tell me what you think. Only be careful not to compare it to the "Sure thing" as they are 2 entirely different movies both to be judged on their own merit.....

So did you ever land a bloke like Gib or does search continue?

I had a fish named Sam he lived in a bowl........

[–] rdrajatdixit 11 years ago

#1 The Sure Thing
#2 Bullets Over Broadway
#3 High Fidelity
#4 Being John Malkovich

[–] jstang411 13 years ago

It is at least the best of his teenage flicks, which conveniently allows me not to compare it to Gross Point Blanke.

[–] ctex 12 years ago

The Sure Thing
Serendipity
Pushing Tin

[–] 12 years ago

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[–] Movie_Piranha_1979 11 years ago

For me is one of his best films, not THE best...

Prostitute: What the *beep* are you doing?
Johnny: I'm gonna kill a bunch of people.

[–] kaphawoman 11 years ago

Grosse Pointe Blank is one of my favorite movies of all time (like top 10), and I also love Better Off Dead. As far as his 80s fare, I'd put The Sure Thing ahead of One Crazy Summer but behind BOD.

[–] travelergirl 11 years ago

I really enjoyed Cusack's comedic timing.

He had me laughing all through the film. :-D

[–] jstang411 11 years ago

He makes the movie.....all his.