The romance of Lloyd and Diane – the 1989 film: Say Anything.
The first film written and directed by Cameron Crowe, the story centers around two students who have just graduated from highschool – Lloyd Dobler (John Cusack) and Diane Court (Ione Skye).
He’s an ordinary guy, she’s the smarty pants valedictorian.
Intrigued by Lloyd, Diane decides to start dating him, although she’s leaving at the end of the summer to go to university in England. While her father doesn’t like her dating an underachiever, Diane appreciates Lloyd’s view of the world.
Lloyd is coached by his female friends, since this is his first major relationship, and he slowly begins to change Diane’s view of the world from her dedication to academics to doing what’s right for her.
With a supporting cast of now well-known actors including Lili Taylor, Eric Stoltz, Jeremy Piven and Joan Cusack, Diane’s father is played by John Mahoney and Bebe Neuwirth plays Mrs. Evans.
Released in April 1989, this little film got a lot of notice – including rave reviews for its modern view of romance and a strong viewing at the box office. And thanks to Crowe’s music past, the soundtrack of the film included songs from Cheap Trick, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Replacements, Depeche Mode and Living Color.
I remember seeing this film on the big screen and to this day, I remember the scene of Lloyd holding up a boombox outside Diane’s house. Any fan of this film probably dreams it will happen to her one day too.
W POPAGANDA 