The Sure Thing **** (1985, John Cusack, Daphne Zuniga, Anthony Edwards, Boyd Gaines, Tim Robbins, Lisa Jane Persky, Viveca Lindfors, Nicollette Sheridan) – Classic Movie Review 7362

Director Rob Reiner (When Harry Met Sally, Misery) delivers surefire laughs and charm in the 1985 gem The Sure Thing, a beautifully written Thirties-style throwback romantic comedy yarn, going back as far as It Happened One Night.

John Cusack and Daphne Zuniga star as an unlikely pair of college students, who first bicker and then fall in love during a series of misadventures along the road to California to meet his dream girl (Nicollette Sheridan) – The Sure Thing – and her lawyer fiancé (Boyd Gaines).

It is the cross-country road trip from hell, they are thrust together along the way, and they hate each other. Cusack plays the beer-swilling extrovert Walter ‘Gib’ Gibson, whereas Zuniga plays the reined-in introvert Alison Bradbury, but all along we know it is a story of opposites attracting and that the twain shall surely eventually meet.

A reliable formula is whipped up into a romantic comedy frenzy by two gorgeous star performances and Reiner’s deft and wholesome touch. Among a pleasing cast, Viveca Lindfors gives a fine support turn as the English teacher, Professor Taub.

The film is a real crowd-pleasing charmer, so audience enjoyment is a sure thing.

The writing heroes are Steven L Bloom and Jonathan Roberts.

Also in the cast are Anthony Edwards, Tim Robbins, Lisa Jane Persky, Marcia Christie, Robert Anthony Marcucci, Sarah Buxton, Lorrie Lightle, Joshua Cadman, John Putch, Tracy Reiner, Amy Resnick, George Memmoli, Richard Hamilton, Fran Ryan and Larry Hankin.

Cusack, almost four years younger than Zuniga, was a minor of 17 and had to seek legal emancipation from his parents to shoot on location. Cusack appeared in a cameo in Reiner’s next feature – Stand By Me. There is a poster for Reiner’s previous film This Is Spinal Tap (1984) in Gib’s dorm room.

© Derek Winnert 2018 Classic Movie Review 7362

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