MovieChat Forums > The Sure Thing (1985) Discussion > My favorite line

My favorite line

posted 17 years ago by Andre1998
46 replies | jump to latest

What set this movie apart for me watching it in the theaters in 1985, was how intelligent the scripting was. Kids in college are a bit crazy, but they are also smart, and show some growth in character for all the money invested. When Cusack's Gibb is throwing a football around out on the campus lawn, and he says he's a player from Grambling, his buddy says something like "isn't Grambling all black?" and he says "So what?" That's right, so what? They didn't have to throw that in there, but I'm glad they did. Since this closely mirrors one of the writer's real experiences it's cool to think that exchange may really have taken place.

As far as one liners go, one of my favorites is when Allison is trying to stretch the budget, restricting when they can next eat, she says as though it's such great news: "after 1,000 miles, we can have a snack", and Gibb says "Oh goodie, Cheetos in Albuquerque, I can hardly wait!" The way he says that cracks me up.

- Andre98

[–] cecile_p 17 years ago

I can just hear that line about Cheetos in my head! It just hit me -did you notice how many of the great lines have to do with food?

That Cheetos one was a great line but there were soooo many great lines in that movie that it's hard to pick just one as my favorite. I think it would have to be the monologue by the English professor about life being the ultimate experience. "Make love in a hammock!!"

[–] wobber999 17 years ago

My fave line Is Alison Bradbury's
Say hello to mamma boys
when she Is leaning out of the car
then the cops pull over the car and
gary cooper thrown all their things out
and speeds off LOL

[–] ScoobySpike 14 years ago

But then he says to the cop, something about not having the load properly tied down meaning her boobs, lol

[–] HeresYourMama 16 years ago

My all time favorite movie and it has so many great lines (and well-delivered) - how about when Gib and his buddy are discussing Alison as she walks by and his friend says she like the intellectual type and Gib says "I'm intellectual and stuff" and his friend replies "You're flunking English - that's your mother tongue, head stuff..."

[–] arnoldbabar 13 years ago

"At 8 o'clock I'll be re-arranging my sock drawer."

I try to use that line at least once a month.

[–] Andre1998 16 years ago

Or the one where Gib is in the bar and passes the bartender ID. The bartender looks at it and says, okay Dr Levinsen what'll it be?" Then Gib is talking to one of the barflys and they mention Paris, and the dude at the end of the bar says, "I went to Paris with my wife once.... boy, am I glad she's dead."

I might be fuzzy on the details, but I think thats accurate.

[–] coachbento 16 years ago

So many memorable lines in this movie!

My favorite is when Gib turns off the light in the knotty pine motel and Mary Ann and Gary say "NO" as he turns the light on. Every time I stay in a hotel and turn the little lamp off between the beds I think of that funny moment in the Sure Thing.

[–] dunbar-7 16 years ago

"Who invented liquid soap and why?"

[–] droberts8-1 16 years ago

When they get a ride after Alison pretends she is pregnant and the discussion about names. I actually gave a pet the name "Nick" based on that conversation.

"Nick is the name of a guy you can have a drink with".

[–] lotr_93 16 years ago

There are many lines in this film that I find absolutely hilarious, but my favorite would have to be when Alison is in the truck with that weird guy who picked her up, and Walter jumps in, and starts freakin' out and says, with his eyes all screwed up, "Why aren't we moving? Don't ya wanna give me a ride?" --"Well, I'm only goin about a mile."-- "Then what the hell did you pick me up for?!!!" :P

[–] johnnydelbravo 12 years ago

"Then what the hell did you pick me up for, sh*t-BRAIN!!!" (leans over and screams the last part right into his face).

[–] danitast 16 years ago

I was really hoping that someone would mention that line. My husband wanted to name his first son "Nick" because of that line, and yes, our son's name is Nick, and he has watched only that part of this movie so he would know how he got his name...

I REALLY like this movie, too!!

[–] lizzo13 16 years ago

This is one of my favorite movies, and I was so shocked to see it as the Quote of the Day. Seriously underrated, especially considering it's a John Cusack classic... I love Say Anything, but I'd choose The Sure Thing over it any day..

As for favorite lines, I really couldn't choose.. Several of mine have been mentioned... I actually have a Works document with my favorite quotes from TV shows and movies, so it's easy for me to pull these ones up..

"Spontaneity has its time and place." Then it's not so spontaneous, is it? LOL

-"I have a credit card."
-"Credit cards work on a completely different kind of lock." I love how he totally misses the point...

-"I have a credit card."
-"You have a credit card."
-"Yes, but my father told me only to use it in case of an emergency."
-"Well, maybe one will come up."

"You know, I've never met anyone like you before. Usually when I meet someone new I feel awkward and shy. But with you, it's different. You know what I'm talking about without my having to explain it to you in fancy terms. We speak each other's unspoken language... fluently. I love you." If a guy ever said this to me, I'd definitely take him, just for being able to quote it..

"How would you like to have a sexual experience so intense it could conceivably change your political views?"

There are also many lines that are great, like others have said, just because of the way they're delivered... The entire psycho scene craps me up. "I mean the kind of guy who would rip your heart out and eat just for PLEASUUUUURE!" The Nick vs. Elliott one is great too.... I also agree about the food lines.. I think my favorite one is the riboflavin...

I do think "Who invented liquid soap and why?" is probably one of the best lines in movie history just because it's so random..

Man, now I'm going to have to watch the movie! It's been a few months, at least, since I've watched it....

Oh, love, I'm tangled up again. Oh, love, when does this twisting end?

[–] LittleDragonGirl 16 years ago

My boyfriend's parents actually named him Nick from that conversation. I had never seen the movie before him and when I watched it, it made perfect sense that he's named Nick.

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[–] tomgrunick 15 years ago

Actually he says "OK Dr Livingston, what'll it be".

Funny on two levels because obviously Gib isn't a doctor, and because it goes all the way back to Dr David Livingston ("I presume") the African explorer.

[–] mark-1507 15 years ago

To arrive at this moment,
he had travelled vast distances, enduring many hardships:
abject poverty, starvation, show tunes....,
you name it.

[–] Exa84 12 years ago

Sorry but it's Dr. Levinson not Dr. Livingston.

[–] pparkerson 16 years ago

I like the PENTHOUSE letter...

" generous scoops of mouth watering, flesh "

This movie is a true 80's classic !

[–] SpitfireIXB 16 years ago

I think the best line(s) in this movie is not a one liner but the poem/prose at the end. Call me mundane, but I really love this little poem. What male has not dreamed of ever meeting or having a 'sure thing?'

Here is how I remember it:

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It's called 'The Sure Thing.'

"It could be tonight," he thought,
as he stood in the corner pretending to have a good time.
He would meet her ... tonight.
All his young life he had dreamed of a girl like this.
Five-foot-six, silky hair,
trim nubile body that really knew how to move,
and soft, deeply tanned skin.....

Now, as for personality traits, she needed only one:
she had to love sex, and all the time.

To arrive at this moment,
he had travelled vast distances, enduring many hardships:
abject poverty, starvation, show tunes....,
you name it.

From across the room he saw her.
She was perfect....
He knew almost nothing about her;
she didn't know much more about him.....
it was exactly how it was supposed to be.

He brought her to his room.
The lights were soft, the time was right.
She leaned over and whispered in his ear,
"Do you love me?" ......

Thoughts raced through his mind.
Did she really want him?
What had he done to deserve this bounty?
Does God exist?
Who invented liquid soap, and why?

"Do you love me?" she whispered......

He was staring into her eyes
and he knew that she really needed to hear it.
But for the first time in his life,
he knew that these were no longer just words,
and if he said it,
it would be a lie.

"Do you love me?" she whispered......

"Do you love me?" ........

It would not be tonight,
for the answer was ..... "no."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The person who wrote this really understands male/female relationships. I wish I had that much sensitivity.

[–] dr-larry-mitchell 16 years ago

"Elliot? You can't name the kid Elliot! Elliot is a fat kid who eats paste!"

[–] mandygrrl424 16 years ago

Finally watched this movie!
Yes, so many good lines...
My favorites....

(talking about how nowhere does he state that his paper is about a pizza)
"but it is completely inferred."
"implied."
"whatever."

"this is america. i can go anywhere."

"I knew I should have taken the bus."
"what, and sit next to some sleazebag...some sleazebag you don't know?!"
" oh you two know eachother!"
" were old friends..."

" what do you think you're doing?"
"i'm going to bed."
"not with me you're not!"
"i'm not going to bed with you, i'm going to bed in a bed in which you happen to be also. i won't try anything, i swear. trust me."
that whole scene cracks me up. john cusack plays up gib so devilishly it gets me everytime:)

"why aren't we moving?!" ( gib going crazy in the pick up truck-whole sing makes me giggle)

" oh boy, cheetos in albuquerque i can hardly wait!"way he says it is priceless

(the whole convesation at the party, from the punch bowl to allisons's "cheese balls and beer for breakfast!?" outburst)

A really good movie. Glad I finally watched it:)

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

[–] catoelder 14 years ago

Anybody know what Zuniga says to Cusack in the scene where she is lying in bed with him and talking about Jason (in that nice hotel they used her credit card to pay for).She is talking about her and Jason and how they like farmhouses etc and then she says that she and Jason are "both crazy about........".
In the version I have it's impossible to understand what she says.

[–] flyingpigs152 14 years ago

catoelder, I think it was basset hounds if I'm remembering it right.

[–] Erendinger 9 years ago

"Elliot? You can't name the kid Elliot! Elliot is a fat kid who eats paste!"

Just read it and burst out laughing again!! :-)

-

They call her the Meryl Streep of gang bangs.

[–] KDinCT 9 years ago

Nubile, by the way, is spelled with a 'u'. Love the little barb from the professor, perfectly placed.

I agree about the essay; hysterical and a great way to resolve the movie.

[–] Coconut_Kaasa 14 years ago

Alison - "I have a credit card."
Gib - "You have a credit card!?"
Alison - "Yes, but my father told me only to use it in case of an emergency."
Gib - "Well, maybe one will come up."

~Hey Arnold!~

[–] Ohgress 14 years ago

"Did you know Nietsche died of syphilis?"

Hahaha, best opening line EVER! I just love how he tries to say that in a sexy tone, so funny!