Say Anything

  • Review Date: March 13, 2005
  • PG-13
  • Genre: Drama
  • 1989
 Review

Common Sense Media says

A gem of a coming-of-age story.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

Not yet rated

Kids say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this 1980s classic survives as an excellent, coming-of-age movie for teens. Teens-to-be may also enjoy it, but it may not be suitable for them, with its graphic teen drinking, teen sex and parental betrayal. More than just a teen flick, Say Anything... boasts fine performances, a lot of humor, and a well-chosen soundtrack. This is a true-to-life depiction of teen life. Both teens deal with the pain of broken families and oppressive family expectations.

  • Not applicable.
  • When Lloyd gets knocked down kickboxing, his bones have to be snapped back into place.
  • Teens have sex in the back seat of a car. Not much is shown, but the event is discussed afterwards. The teenagers are also shown in bed, under the sheets.

What's the story?

In this smart, funny story about growing up and struggling with imminent responsibilities, Lloyd (John Cusack) is a teenaged kickboxer on no particular career path. Dianne is a brain with an overprotective father (John Mahoney). After graduation, the opposites fall for each other, spend the summer together, and end up making love, the details of which Dianne spills to her father. Dianne's father wants more for his daughter than a future with a slacker like Lloyd -- she's set to go to England at the end of the summer to attend acting school. Under pressure from her father, Diane breaks up with Lloyd. But when she discovers that her father has been stealing from the retirement home he owns, Diane reconsiders. Lloyd's the one person she's come to trust.


Is it any good?

 

You can call it "teen flick," but writer/director Cameron Crowe (Almost Famous) tells a story about people who just happen to be teens. A frank portrait of teens on the cusp of adulthood, this movie mines a type of movie that has acquired a (deservedly) negative reputation and comes up with gold. Utilizing stock elements of the genre -- hip soundtrack, slacker kids, and screwed-up families -- Crowe finds the stuff of great drama.

 

Much of the humor is found in adolescent awkwardness. Viewers can't help but feel Lloyd's angst as he asks Diane out, deals with her father, and evades an overzealous guidance counselor. But the movie's serious themes ring true as well. Diane's father isn't dismissed as a criminal who wants to keep the lovers apart. His stealing is a misguided effort to give his daughter the best of everything. Eric Stoltz (Some Kind of Wonderful) and Lili Taylor round out a superb supporting cast.


Explore, discuss, enjoy

Families can talk about why Diane trusted Lloyd and why Diane's father acted the way he did. How do they cope with the stresses of teenage life?


This review of Say Anything was written by
Teen, 14 years old
March 23, 2011
 
It's Totally Cute
This film is so adorable! First love always makes a good film. The dad is a bit of an ass though. Why would he do that? The sex scenes aren't graphic, but it's a bit iffy. Very good movie. It's such a shame that John Cusack is like old enough to be my father now. He was totally cute in the film and still is now.

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Teen, 13 years old
September 10, 2010
 
i liked it but the sex scenes were a bit uncomfortable to watch especially when you have concerned parentslike mine. but overall it was cute. i loved it!! John Cusack is sooo cute!!
What other families should know:

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Teen, 13 years old
October 28, 2011
 
Read
Rated PG-13: Some Violence, Some Sexuality, and Language
What other families should know:

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This review of Say Anything was written by
Studio:Twentieth Century Fox
Director:Cameron Crowe
Cast:Ione Skye, Joan Cusack, John Cusack
Genre:Drama
Run time:100 minutes
Theatrical release date:January 1, 1989
DVD release date:May 23, 2000
MPAA rating:PG-13
MPAA explanation:mature themes and sexuality

This review of Say Anything was written by
 

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