Amazon.com Essentials:
Seven years after he earned his first screen credit as the
writer of Fast Times at
Ridgemont High, former Rolling Stone writer Cameron
Crowe made his directorial debut with this acclaimed romantic comedy
starring John Cusack and Ione Skye as unlikely lovers on the cusp of
adulthood. The casting is perfect, and Crowe's rookie direction is
appropriately unobtrusive, no doubt influenced by his actor-loving,
Oscar®-winning mentor, James L. Brooks. But the real strength of
Crowe's work is his exceptional writing, his timely grasp of
contemporary rhythms and language (he's frequently called "the voice
of a generation"), and the rich humor and depth of his fully developed
characters. In Say Anything Cusack and Skye play recent
high school graduates enjoying one final summer before leaping into a
lifetime of adult responsibilities. Lloyd (Cusack) is an aspiring
kickboxer with no definite plans; Diane (Skye) is a valedictorian with
intentions to further her education in Europe. Together they find unlikely
bliss, but there's also turbulence when Diane's father (John
Mahoney)--who only wants what's best for his daughter--is charged with
fraud and tax evasion. Favoring strong performances over obtrusive
visual style, Crowe focuses on his unique characters and the ambitions
and fears that define them; the movie's a treasure trove of quiet,
often humorous revelations of personality. Lili Taylor and Eric Stoltz
score high marks for memorable supporting roles, and Cusack's own
sister Joan is perfect in scenes with her onscreen and offscreen
brother. A rare romantic comedy that's as funny as it is dramatically
honest, Say Anything marked the arrival of a gifted
writer-director who followed up with the underrated Singles before
scoring his first box-office smash with Jerry
Maguire. --Jeff Shannon
