Main Cast: John Cusack, Daphne Zuniga, Anthony Edwards, Boyd Gaines, Tim Robbins, Lisa Jane Persky
Release Year: 1985
Country: US
Run Time: 94 minutes
MPAA Rating: PG13
Plot
Director Rob Reiner's The Sure Thing is essentially It Happened One Night for the 1980s, but its lack of surprise in no way impedes its entertainment value. John Cusack plays Walter "Gib" Gibson, a self-involved college freshman who makes plans to head to California, there to touch base (and a few other things) with a "sure thing" played by Nicollette Sheridan. Likewise planning a westward journey is coed Alison Bradbury (Daphne Zuniga), a control freak who has a wealthy, stuffy fiancé over there. Gib and Alison despise one another on sight -- so naturally, they are compelled to travel to California together. The fact that everyone in the audience knows precisely how this one will end up is inconsequential; Cusack and Zuniga deliver such engaging performances that we're pulling for them to wise up and discover one another from the very first scene. One of the best bits: the mismatched couple being bombarded with an ear-piercing rendition of "The Age of Aquarius" by their dippy traveling companions. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Review
One of the first in the early directorial hit parade of former actor Rob Reiner, The Sure Thing proved his instincts were just as smart for romantic comedy as they were for faux documentary following This Is Spinal Tap, his brilliant debut. John Cusack (only 18 at the time of filming, the actual correct age for his character) made a splash in his first lead role, earning him a bunch of ensuing parts clearly inspired by his madcap Walter "Gib" Gibson, whom he plays to perfection. The result is a minor classic among both teen coming-of-age comedies and road movies. Gib's cross-country quest to end his dry spell with a bikini-clad babe (Nicollette Sheridan) is pure '80s cheese, but otherwise, the film barely feels dated. Constantly wittier than expected, The Sure Thing also captures a truly perceptive nostalgia for life in the first year of college. Although it boasts funny supporting performances from Boyd Gaines, as the too-square-by-half boyfriend of Gib's sparring partner and romantic interest (Daphne Zuniga), and Anthony Edwards, as Gib's best friend, this film really belongs to the charming clowning of Cusack. Whether he's plunging fully clothed into a swimming pool to get Zuniga's attention or pretending to be an insane hitchhiker to scare off a horny truck driver, there's a spark constantly dancing in those eyes. It nicely foreshadows the career Cusack has come to have, playing goofy average guys who effortlessly win audience sympathy. Add in a sharp script by Steven L. Bloom and Jonathan Roberts, and this lighthearted outing is as good a guarantee of enjoyment as its title suggests. ~ Derek Armstrong, All Movie Guide
Viveca Lindfors - Prof. Taub; Nicollette Sheridan - The Sure Thing; Larry Hankin - Truck Driver; Robert Bauer - Moke; Teresa Baxter - Rose Lady; Sarah Buxton - Sharon; Joshua Cadman - Jimbo; Carmen Filpi - Bus Station Bum; Garry Goodrow - Pick-Up Driver; Richard Hamilton - Bartender; George Memmoli - Man in Bar; Sunshine Parker - Cowboy Guy; John Putch - Will; Tracy Reiner - Alison's Friend; Fran Ryan - Lady in Car; Chris Rydell - Charlie; Danielle von Zerneck - Julie; Jimmy Baron - Guy at Frat Party; Marcia Christie - Julie; Marty Layton - Frat Guy; Lorrie Lightle - Lucy; Robert Anthony Marcucci - Bobby; Rosalind Moreland - Barmaid; Julie Ow - Girl in Sarong; Steve Pink - Football Player; Marcie Reibel - Girl at Party; Amy Resnick - Marsha; Kristal Richards - Girl in the Photo; Robert Snively - Clerk; Frantz Turner - Cop; Noelle Williams - Katherine
Credit
Jane Jenkins - Casting, Janet Hirshenson - Casting, Andrew Scheinman - Co-producer, Dorinda Rice Wood - Costume Designer, Rob Reiner - Director, Robert Leighton - Editor, Henry Winkler - Executive Producer, Irwin Winkler - Executive Producer, Tom Scott - Composer (Music Score), Patricia Messina - Makeup, Lilly Kilvert - Production Designer, Robert Elswit - Cinematographer, Steve Nicolaides - Production Manager, Roger Birnbaum - Producer, Lisa Fischer - Set Designer, John Frazier - Special Effects, Jeff Wischnack - Special Effects, Robert Eber - Sound/Sound Designer, Steven L. Bloom - Screenwriter, Jonathan Roberts - Screenwriter, Brian James Ellis - Second Assistant Director
Walter 'Gib' Gibson (Cusack) decides to go cross country to visit his friend in California during Christmas break. Awaiting there is a bikini-clad babe whom his friend assures him is a "sure thing". Meanwhile, Allison Bradbury (Zuniga), a beautiful but uptight student in Gib's English class has also decided to head out to California to see her boyfriend. Gib and Allison are thrust together on a road trip from hell, and somewhere along the way, they find each other's company to be tolerable. Now, what will become of Gib's "sure thing?"
