Say Anything (1989)

This was a good film.
Lloyd Dobler (John Cusack) is actually a nice guy. He's average, basic even, but he's kind and almost values the feelings of women, thanks largely to his vast array of female friends: Corey (Lili Taylor) and Rebecca (Pamela Adlon). Corey is going through her own rough break-up with Joe (Loren Dean) but she stands up to him when he is more than willing to rekindle their romance. It is such a simple moment but very empowering.
But the film isn't about Corey. It's about Lloyd and his pursuit of the super brain Diane Court (Ione Skye). She is very intelligent so much so that she has received a fellowship to study in England. She is more than the apple of her overbearing father's (John Mahoney's) eye.
Despite her always being busy, between studying and helping out at her father's nursing home, Diane tries not to be interested in Lloyd but she goes to a party and finally got to know and understand her classmates. Before they were just figures in the distance, now they are real people.
Her father isn't thrilled with the relationship even though Diane is acting her age for the first time in her life. He wants her to remain focused on her goals, something that she's been working her whole life for. But Mr. Court has his own distractions: he's being investigated by the IRS for ripping off the elderly people in his very nursing home. This plot point turns out to be much more important than I originally thought.
But this is a film and everything works out. Diane mends fences with her criminal father and Lloyd follows her to England because he doesn't have any career goals of his own and his main goal in life is to make Diane happy.
The film is filled with very natural performances and great realistic dialogue and the film flows well. There aren't any major flaws which is great. Perhaps the only problem I had is when Lloyd lifts his boombox outside of Diane's window is that she remains in her bed, ruining the epic moment I had in my head. But there is so much more to love. Sure, I wish there were more guys like Lloyd but he is far from perfect with no life goals of his own, opting to focus on the new sport of kickboxing. But he is good with his nephew and has natural banter with his sister (John's actual sister Joan Cusack). He records stuff to tell Corey while he's driving around ruing the day he ever met Diane during their brief separation. He's almost perfect, even writing a letter to Diane after their love making to show his gratitude and appreciation. I would like him to have have his own actual realistic goals with his career but his friends know why Diane would fall for him and so does the audience and that is all that matters. Grade: A-