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Movies / On DVD / The Sure Thing
The Sure Thing

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The Sure Thing (1985)

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88 %
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Reviews Counted:26

Fresh:23

Rotten:3

Average Rating:6.8/10

Runtime: 1 hr 35 mins

Genre: Comedies

Synopsis: When free-spirited but juvenile Walter "Gib" Gibson (John Cusack) meets studious, uptight Alison Bradbury (Daphne Zuniga) at an unnamed Ivy League college, sparks fly; unfortunately, they are... When free-spirited but juvenile Walter "Gib" Gibson (John Cusack) meets studious, uptight Alison Bradbury (Daphne Zuniga) at an unnamed Ivy League college, sparks fly; unfortunately, they are mostly of the disastrous variety as all of Gib's attempts at courtship fall painfully apart. Inevitably, the duo is tossed together when they both answer the same ad for a ride to California. While Alison is traveling to reunite with her tidy law school boyfriend, Gib is on the road to meet a beautiful girl his best friend promises him is "a sure thing." Before too long, Gib and Alison's bickering inflames the driver, who promptly deposits the two with their suitcases on the side of a lonely highway thousands of miles from their destination. As the misadventures pile up, the initially contentious pair begin to take a liking to one another--but do these two dare fall in love? Rob Reiner's initial attempt at romantic comedy pays subtle homage, with gentle lyricism, to the classic screwballs of early Hollywood. The film is buoyed by the stellar performances of the two leads, Cusack (in one of his first significant roles) and Zuniga, who are reminiscent of the great studio pairings of the past. [More]

Starring: John Cusack, Daphne Zuniga, Anthony Edwards, Viveca Lindfors

Starring: John Cusack, Daphne Zuniga, Anthony Edwards, Viveca Lindfors, Nicollette Sheridan, Tim Robbins, Lisa Jane Persky

Director: Rob Reiner

Director: Rob Reiner

[See More Credits]

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Release:

Nov 24, 1998

No Details Exist
 
 

Reviews for The Sure Thing

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1 - 20 (sorted by date)
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A charming surprise.

Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide | comment Comment
11/06/09
TV Guide's Movie Guide

[A] hysterically oversold mix of comic cliches from the 30s and the 80s.

Full Review Source: Chicago Reader | comment 1 Comment
11/06/09
Dave Kehr
Dave Kehr
Chicago Reader
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

This is a likeable film that follows all of the necessary steps to engage an audience. It may not be a sure thing, but it's at least a pretty good bet.

Full Review Source: ReelViews | comment Comment
06/09/09
James Berardinelli
James Berardinelli
ReelViews
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Realization may not be earth shattering, but in an era of fast food and faster sex, return to the traditional is downright refreshing.

Full Review Source: Variety | comment Comment
10/18/08
Variety Staff
Variety Staff
Variety
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

One of the great teen comedies of the 80s. One reason why Cusack became what he became

comment Comment
08/17/08
Clint Morris
Clint Morris
Moviehole

There's plenty of mileage in this pairing, even if the movie isn't going anywhere unexpected.

Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
06/24/06
Time Out

Sweet and wonderful.

Full Review Source: Combustible Celluloid | comment Comment
05/26/06
Jeffrey M. Anderson
Jeffrey M. Anderson
Combustible Celluloid

A wonderful start for Cusack and Reiner.

Full Review Source: Film Threat | comment Comment
12/06/05
Brad Laidman
Brad Laidman
Film Threat

No review available.

comment Comment
10/09/05
Chuck O'Leary
Chuck O'Leary
Fantastica Daily

No review available.

comment Comment
06/13/05
Emanuel Levy
Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com

No review available.

comment Comment
04/01/05
Jon Niccum
Jon Niccum
Lawrence Journal-World

One of the more "mature" teen comedies from the 80s.

Full Review Source: JoBlo's Movie Emporium | comment Comment
02/05/05
JoBlo
JoBlo
JoBlo's Movie Emporium

No review available.

comment Comment
01/05/05
Lori Hoffman
Lori Hoffman
Atlantic City Weekly

Walter and Alison are closer to real teenagers, with real doubts and hesitations and uncertainties.

Full Review Source: Chicago Sun-Times | comment Comment
10/23/04
Roger Ebert
Roger Ebert
Chicago Sun-Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

No review available.

comment Comment
02/19/04
Mike McGranaghan
Mike McGranaghan
Aisle Seat

It's a treasure, smartly written, delightfully played (you'll be able to see why Cusack quickly became a star), and scored with a half-dozen period hits...

Full Review Source: Kalamazoo Gazette | comment Comment
01/11/04
James Sanford
James Sanford
Kalamazoo Gazette

No review available.

comment Comment
11/26/03
Michelle Alexandria
Michelle Alexandria
Eclipse Magazine

No review available.

comment Comment
08/22/03
John Esther
John Esther
Pasadena Weekly

Stars John Cusack and Daphne Zuniga are no Gable and Colbert, but they make for interesting juniorfied versions

Full Review Source: Film Freak Central | comment Comment
07/29/03
Bill Chambers
Bill Chambers
Film Freak Central

No review available.

comment Comment
05/30/03
Philip Martin
Philip Martin
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
 
 
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