Review of Say Anything... (1989) by Kenny H — 11 Apr 2010

The iconic scene in Say Anything..., in which John Cusack holds his stereo up to his chosen love's window late at night as a gesture of love is remembered for the wrong reasons. It should be remembered because it doesn't work. They don't embrace immediately after he pulls a spontaneous gesture of appreciation - quite the opposite. They have a lot more to deal with.

What seems to start off as a simple 80's teen comedy grows more and more earnest - as its characters grow dishonest while pretending otherwise. They all do wind up saying anything to keep their relationships together, even when it's wrong. We all do. But then there's the part where we are honest.

And not a single character in this wonderful film isn't given an honest moment - from a tax-fraud guilty father to a suitcase saleswoman to even an IRS agent. It's not sentimental - it's uncertain and in some ways a little cynical - but it's honest enough to make you feel something.