Say Anything... (1989) Rank 5 Reviews

Chicago Sun-Times (Roger Ebert)

She is the class brain, and so of course no one can see that she is truly beautiful - no one except for the sort of weird kid who wants to devote his life to kick-boxing and who likes her because of her brains. He calls her up and asks her out. She says n ...read the complete Say Anything... movie review at Chicago Sun-Times (Roger Ebert)

Media-Assault.com (Sean Caszatt)

The 1980's produced a lot of "teenage sex" movies, most of which are inane and revolting. 1989's Say Anything is a complete surprise. It's intelligent, funny, and full of wisdom. ...read the complete Say Anything... movie review at Media-Assault.com (Sean Caszatt)

Teen Movie Critic (Roger Davidson)

The film is fresh and uniquely original. Crowe does a good job exploring the world of teenage romance, without resorting to stereotypical views of teens and their parents. ...read the complete Say Anything... movie review at Teen Movie Critic (Roger Davidson)

DVD Net (Anthony Horan)

Say Anything...is a landmark movie that acts as the definitive last word on the '80s teen-movie genre, but one which also transcends its modest ambitions and works beautifully on a deeper, more meaningful level. ...read the complete Say Anything... movie review at DVD Net (Anthony Horan)

Montreal Film Journal (Kevin N. Laforest)

It's about something, and it knows about it. I agree that movies can be great escapism, but it's even better when they also make you realize stuff about life. You owe yourself to see this masterpiece the sooner possible. ...read the complete Say Anything... movie review at Montreal Film Journal (Kevin N. Laforest)

The Book-Lover's Guide to Cinema (Matthew Gold)

It reaches depths (and heights) of emotion rarely touched by most Hollywood movies. ...read the complete Say Anything... movie review at The Book-Lover's Guide to Cinema (Matthew Gold)

Film Frat

This is one of John Cusack's most heartfelt and convincing performances, giving hope to lovestruck guys everywhere who think they'd never have a chance with the girl of their dreams. ...read the complete Say Anything... movie review at Film Frat

Goatdog's Movies (Michael W. Phillips, Jr.)

I was slightly disturbed by the relationship between Diane and her father, played by John Maloney (the father from Frasier). It creeped me out, to tell you the truth. There was something ...read the complete Say Anything... movie review at Goatdog's Movies (Michael W. Phillips, Jr.)

Entertainment Weekly (Staff (Not credited))

It all comes down to one scene: John Cusack, standing at dusk, boom box aloft, blaring Peter Gabriel's ''In Your Eyes'' outside Ione Skye's window. This, friends, is what rapturous, heartrending, soul-spinning love is all about. ...read the complete Say Anything... movie review at Entertainment Weekly (Staff (Not credited))

Chicago Reader (Jonathan Rosenbaum)

"Heathers" may view teenagers more caustically, but this movie, incomparably better, actually delivers the goods. ...read the complete Say Anything... movie review at Chicago Reader (Jonathan Rosenbaum)

Film Threat (Brad Laidman)

To me, Say Anything is without a shadow of a doubt the most rewarding, funny, and likable romance of the last twenty years. It heralds the decency of romantic love against the gears of a cold, grinding mechanical world. ...read the complete Say Anything... movie review at Film Threat (Brad Laidman)

Chicago Sun-Times (Roger Ebert)

That such intelligence could be contained in a movie that is simultaneously so funny and so entertaining is some kind of a miracle. ...read the complete Say Anything... movie review at Chicago Sun-Times (Roger Ebert)

eFilmCritic.com (Oz)

Has one of the great movie endings of all time. ...read the complete Say Anything... movie review at eFilmCritic.com (Oz)

digitallyOBSESSED.com (Dan Heaton)

Say Anything provides an entertaining experience, revealing complicated thoughts and humanity within the minds of high schoolers. ...read the complete Say Anything... movie review at digitallyOBSESSED.com (Dan Heaton)

Ozus' World Movie Reviews (Dennis Schwartz)

First-time director Cameron Crowe ( Singles/Jerry Maguire ) gives his due respect to these teenage characters. That alone is enough to make this a superior film, but it was also superbly scripted and acted. John Mahoney as James Court, plays a role that ...read the complete Say Anything... movie review at Ozus' World Movie Reviews (Dennis Schwartz)

A Guide to Current DVD (Aaron Beierle)

"Say Anything" is certainly one of the best of Crowe's group of marvelous writer/director efforts and is rightly often recognized as a classic in its genre. ...read the complete Say Anything... movie review at A Guide to Current DVD (Aaron Beierle)

Washington Post (Hal Hinson)

It's hard to remember a recent love story -- maybe "Moonstruck" -- that's as involving as this one. This is not to suggest that the two movies are in the same league, but this is a teen movie that transcends its teen limitations. ...read the complete Say Anything... movie review at Washington Post (Hal Hinson)

ReelViews (James Berardinelli)

Cusack invests such sincerity in his portrayal of Lloyd that it's impossible not to root for him to get the girl. He's the classic underdog that we all think of ourselves as -- earnest, engaging, and impossible to resist because of his flaws, rather than ...read the complete Say Anything... movie review at ReelViews (James Berardinelli)

Q Network Film Desk (James Kendrick)

Say Anything... is an honest, good-natured film about first love that holds hard reality and eternal optimism in a gentle balancing act. In his directorial debut, Cameron Crowe ( Almost Famous ) works the magic of an alchemist, turning the stuff of ...read the complete Say Anything... movie review at Q Network Film Desk (James Kendrick)

Reel Film Reviews (David Nusair)

Say Anything... may seem, on the surface, to be just another teen flick, but really, it's a romance that holds appeal for all ages. ...read the complete Say Anything... movie review at Reel Film Reviews (David Nusair)

DVD Verdict (Mike Jackson)

It's difficult to find a romantic film nowadays that isn't insulting to one's intelligence. How refreshing it is to find one that isn't just uninsulting, but that is witty and intelligent and true to what you'll find in the real world. ...read the complete Say Anything... movie review at DVD Verdict (Mike Jackson)

filmcritic.com (Christopher Null)

Rewatch today what is inevitably going to be one of your favorite movies and see if you don't agree: John Cusack and Ione Skye are one of cinema's biggest loser couples ever. He's into kickboxing. She's the class brain. Together they're a mess, but God ...read the complete Say Anything... movie review at filmcritic.com (Christopher Null)

Qwipster's Movie Reviews (Vince Leo)

Prior to SAY ANYTHING, Cameron Crowe's directorial debut, he had written two notable teen comedies in the early Eighties, FAST TIMES AT RIDGEMONT HIGH and THE WILD LIFE.  Although they aren't necessarily prime examples of his talent, they were ...read the complete Say Anything... movie review at Qwipster's Movie Reviews (Vince Leo)

UpcomingDiscs.com (Ryan Keefer)

Synopsis John Cusack had done the 80's adolescent romantic comedy thing to death. In one fashion or another, The Sure Thing, One Crazy Summer, Better Off Dead and Hot Pursuit had some mix of smooching and laughs to them, and Cusack was the main character. ...read the complete Say Anything... movie review at UpcomingDiscs.com (Ryan Keefer)

eFilmCritic

The taglines of this movie really say it all... To know Lloyd Dobler is to love him. Diane Court is about to know Lloyd Dobler. She's got every thing going for her. He's going for her with every thing he's got. This tale of high schoolish ...read the complete Say Anything... movie review at eFilmCritic

FilmHead.com - Video Pick

This was the 1980s teen film that ended the genre, appropriately enough at the end of the decade, with its perfect depiction of human emotions, creating a tone that is at once funny and realistic. ...read the complete Say Anything... movie review at FilmHead.com - Video Pick

JoBlo's Movie Emporium ("JoBlo")

I wonder what made me want to see Cameron Crowe's first film this week of all weeks? A celebrated "teen" film, which is probably more mature and adult then people might think, I enjoyed this film but didn't see it as the "brilliant" piece that ...read the complete Say Anything... movie review at JoBlo's Movie Emporium ("JoBlo")

TV Guide's Movie Guide (--)

Crowe's script is full of careful observations, and his camera unobtrusively serves the spot-on production design, the witty but believable dialog, and especially the outstanding performances by Skye (RIVER'S EDGE; A NIGHT IN THE LIFE OF JIMMY REARDON), M ...read the complete Say Anything... movie review at TV Guide's Movie Guide (--)

TV Guide (Staff (Not Credited))

Seldom have such complexity, emotional depth, honesty, and realism been invested in what is ostensibly a teen love story. ...read the complete Say Anything... movie review at TV Guide (Staff (Not Credited))

Empire (Caroline Westbrook)

Avoiding the 80s staple of angsty adolescence, Crowe has constructed an intelligent, witty yet undeniably cute tale, showing the potential that would be realised in Singles and Jerry Maguire, and giving Cusack's warm-hearted Lloyd the perfect foil in ...read the complete Say Anything... movie review at Empire (Caroline Westbrook)

DVDlaunch review

If you've never seen "Say Anything..." this is a must purchase. Considering you'll be able to pick this one up for a rather low price, not to mention the good presentation and fine supplements, this is truly worth owning. ...read the complete Say Anything... movie review at DVDlaunch review

dvdfuture.com (George Castillo)

I can be a sap for romantic comedies and this film is what I base others on. ...read the complete Say Anything... movie review at dvdfuture.com (George Castillo)

Mutant Reviewers From Hell

Chills, man, chills. John Cusack, you are the underrated king of romance. ...read the complete Say Anything... movie review at Mutant Reviewers From Hell

The Globe and Mail (Toronto) (Rick Groen)

With his breathy, antic delivery, pouring out his heart in staccato bursts, Cusack puts a nice loop on the sensitive teen theme. For his is an upbeat, mature brand of sensitivity, the healthy kind that makes fine discriminations, not nasty judgments. ...read the complete Say Anything... movie review at The Globe and Mail (Toronto) (Rick Groen)

Randy Parker

If SAY ANYTHING's premise sounds formulaic and unoriginal, that's because it is. The movie doesn't break any new ground, but it's surprisingly effective nevertheless. After so many braindead treatments of this material, SAY ANYTHING stands out for its ...read the complete Say Anything... movie review at Randy Parker

Deseret News, Salt Lake City

...with "Say Anything," [John Cusak] has found another teenage comedy that has more depth and feeling than we expect to see in any teenage comedy, and one that gives his natural screen warmth an opportunity to show through. ...read the complete Say Anything... movie review at Deseret News, Salt Lake City

Films on Disc (Stuart J. Kobak)

Chief amongst the joys of Say Anything is the wonderfully sensitive, extraordinarily charming performance of John Cusack as Lloyd Dobler, a high school everyman for anytime. ...read the complete Say Anything... movie review at Films on Disc (Stuart J. Kobak)

Chicago Sun-Times (Roger Ebert)

Then first time Lloyd Dobler calls Diane Court to ask her out on a date, he dials all but one digit of her phone number, then looks in the mirror and brushes his hair with his hand before dialing the final digit. He wants to look his best. He gets her fat ...read the complete Say Anything... movie review at Chicago Sun-Times (Roger Ebert)

DVD MovieGuide

I think the movie itself is somewhat overrated, but it provides a fairly charming and moderately realistic tale that helps distinguish itself from other teen-oriented flicks of the period. ...read the complete Say Anything... movie review at DVD MovieGuide

The New York Times (Caryn James)

The predictable surface of Say Anything is constantly being cracked by characters who think and talk like real people and by John Cusack's terrifically natural, appealing Lloyd. ...read the complete Say Anything... movie review at The New York Times (Caryn James)

That Cow (B. Kiefer)

This is close to your average teen movie. It's deeper than American Pie, but doesn't stray to far from the formula. John Cusack stars as Lloyd Dobler. As a writer, Crowe's characters are always pretty well done. ...read the complete Say Anything... movie review at That Cow (B. Kiefer)

New York Times (Caryn James)

The film is all charming performances and grace notes, but there are plenty of worse things to be. ...read the complete Say Anything... movie review at New York Times (Caryn James)

Variety (Staff (Not Credited))

A half-baked love story, full of good intentions but uneven in the telling. ...read the complete Say Anything... movie review at Variety (Staff (Not Credited))

Netflix (James Rocchi)

Cameron Crowe's directorial debut gets a fully loaded DVD that demonstrates the best -- and worst -- of all his films. ...read the complete Say Anything... movie review at Netflix (James Rocchi)

Film Freak Central (Bill Chambers)

"...A post-John Hughes innovator as a teen flick that ducks both Afterschool Special-isms and crass humour..." ...read the complete Say Anything... movie review at Film Freak Central (Bill Chambers)

Critic Reviews

Say Anything... (1989) Rank 5 Reviews

User Reviews

User Comments

RANKINGS: