The Sure Thing

Critics Consensus

Though its final outcome is predictable, The Sure Thing is a charming, smartly written, and mature teen comedy featuring a breakout role for John Cusack.

85%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 34

79%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 11,764
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Movie Info

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, Rovi

Cast

John Cusack
as Walter "Gib" Gibson
Daphne Zuniga
as Alison Bradbury
Anthony Edwards
as Lance
Boyd Gaines
as Jason
Lisa Jane Persky
as Mary Ann Webster
Viveca Lindfors
as Prof. Taub
Nicollette Sheridan
as The Sure Thing
Tim Robbins
as Gary Cooper
Fran Ryan
as Louise
George Memmoli
as Al
Sunshine Parker
as Jerry
Teresa Baxter
as Hostess
Joshua Cadman
as Jimbo
Chris Rydell
as Charlie
Carmen Filpi
as Billy
Garry Goodrow
as Jim
Larry Hankin
as Trucker
Robert Anthony Marcucci
as Bobby
Rosalind Moreland
as Stripper
Julie Ow
as Girl in Sarong
John Putch
as Will
Marcie Reibel
as Girl at Party
Tracy Reiner
as Nancy
Amy Resnick
as Marsha
Kristal Richards
as Girl in the Photo
Christopher Rydell
as Charlie
Robert Sniveley
as Clerk
Frantz Turner
as Cop
Robert Snively
as Clerk
Danielle von Zerneck
as Julie
Noelle Williams
as Katherine
Richard Hamilton
as Frank
Jimmy Baron
as Guy at Frat Party
Marcia Christie
as Julie
Sarah Buxton
as Sharon
Lorrie Lightle
as Lucy
Steve Pink
as Football Player
Marty Layton
as Frat Guy
Robert Bauer
as Moke
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Critic Reviews for The Sure Thing

All Critics (34) | Top Critics (9)

View All Critic Reviews (34)

Audience Reviews for The Sure Thing

  • Oct 14, 2013
    John Cusack and Daphne Zuniga play university students who take a whole movie to realize they are meant for each other. The movie-going public are aware of it from the moment we see them, but these two think they despise each other. A fun 90 minutes!
    Red L Super Reviewer
  • Feb 06, 2013
    Very likeable, and very decent 80's coming-of-age teen love story...with no baked apple goods.
    Marcus W Super Reviewer
  • Apr 28, 2011
    Mamma mia John Cusack was so hot in this movie! The dialogue was really snappy and I like how the ending was resolved only at the very, very last minute - screwballian, in a way. Rob Reiner was definitely in his prime in the 80s.
    Jennifer X Super Reviewer
  • Sep 06, 2010
    A fantastic drama/comedy about true love and life. It has a good cast, and a great story. I love it.
    Aj V Super Reviewer
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