--- title: "Say Anything...: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/say-anything/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/say-anything" critics_score: 75 critics_reviews: 9 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Say Anything... (1989): what the critics said Critics' score 75 from 9 reviews: 7 positive, 2 mixed, 0 negative. Most critics respond warmly to Say Anything…, finding an unusually thoughtful teenage romance in its attention to uncertainty, moral choices and the awkwardness of first love. Praise centres on John Cusack, whose humour, anxiety and earnestness make Lloyd feel like a person rather than a familiar romantic lead. Crowe’s writing and direction also draw credit for giving the characters dignity and allowing comedy and more difficult feelings to coexist. John Mahoney’s performance as the father earns particular notice among the supporting cast. Reservations concern the familiar premise and uneven storytelling, though these rarely outweigh the affection for the characters. The New Yorker finds the central idea weak but enjoys the romance’s odd rhythms and Cusack’s performance. Variety offers the sharpest dissent, finding structural problems, unfinished scenes and an unconvincing female lead despite believable romantic development. The spread is appreciable, but even the more doubtful reviews acknowledge humour and feeling. ## RogerEbert.com — Roger Ebert Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 14 April 1989. The film is one of the best of the year for its honest look at relationships and moral choices, working as both a thoughtful drama and a funny romantic comedy. It stands out for its realistic portrayal of late-teen lives, strong performances by John Cusack and Ione Skye, and careful observation of characters facing uncertainties. [Read the review](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/say-anything-1989) ## Los Angeles Times — Sheila Benson Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 14 April 1989. Crowe digs up warmth, insight, humor and originality from the teen-movie genre, with the film at its best whenever John Cusack is on screen as a living joy that redeems the breed. It praises the character details and Mahoney's calibrated performance as the father. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-04-14-ca-1829-story.html) ## The New Yorker Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 8 May 1989. Cusack's performance as the committed Lloyd makes this a lovely, slight romantic comedy wired into the confusion of high-school dating, with abrupt rhythms and oddity that give the romance lightness. It singles out the comedy and Cusack's distinctive, joyous portrayal despite a dumb central idea. [Read the review](https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/1989/05/15/young-stuff) ## Time Out — TCh Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 10 September 2012. The film is a relief for its dignified characters and authentic teen romance, with Crowe's script and direction allowing the actors to rise above stereotypes. The Cusack siblings stand out for their charm and integrity. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/say-anything) ## The New York Times — Caryn James Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 14 April 1989. The predictable surface of the teen romance is cracked by real characters and John Cusack's natural performance as Lloyd, making it a film at war with itself but ultimately appealing. It praises the way Cusack captures the character's anxiety and determination amid a John Hughes-like setup. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/1989/04/14/movies/review-film-mismatched-teen-agers-fall-in-love-of-course.html) ## Radio Times — Tony Sloman Rating 3/5. This little gem is a cleverly formatted teenage romance in which nothing is quite as it seems, with strong performances especially from John Mahoney as the father. Crowe proves one of the more talented directors of his generation. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-xciwnn/say-anything/) ## Variety Fi1m's normalised score 50/100 (inferred from the text). 31 December 1988. The appealing tale of an undirected army brat proving himself worthy elicits laughs, smiles and genuine feeling but is a half-baked love story uneven in the telling with structural problems and an unconvincing character for the female lead. It notes the relationship develops believably but scenes feel unachieved. [Read the review](https://variety.com/1988/film/reviews/say-anything-1200427865/) ## Empire — Mark Salisbury 1 January 2000. The critic calls the film a hugely enjoyable teen pic with a refreshingly mature approach to romance that mixes pathos and repartee rather than focusing on sex. Cusack's performance stands out as solid amid the plausible angst and very funny humour, with a remarkably satisfying ending. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/say-anything-review/) ## Slant Magazine — Bill Weber 19 November 2009. Say Anything… stands out as a singularly three-dimensional teen romance with ample heart and a plausible happy ending, thanks to Crowe's direction and Cusack's iconic performance as the optimistic Lloyd Dobler. It avoids sappiness while delivering a memorable story of first love and personal growth. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/say-anything/) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Kirk Honeycutt 10 April 1989. The film is an easy-to-like gentle comedy about teenagers, values, and love with likeable characters and funny offbeat moments that qualify it as a sleeper. It offers an intuitive look at teens on the verge of big decisions, with strong performances from Cusack and others. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/say-anything-review-1989-movie-994038/) ## The Ringer — Elizabeth Nelson Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 1 April 2019. The film is a near-perfect portrait of teenage love and rebellion full of grand gestures, great music, and note-perfect observations about growing up. It singles out the nuanced characters of Lloyd, Diane, and Jim Court and how their competing hopes for Diane drive the story. [Read the review](https://www.theringer.com/2019/04/01/movies/say-anything-cameron-crowe-30th-anniverary) ## Collider — Andre Dellamorte Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 19 November 2009. The film is one of the critic's favorite romantic comedies and Crowe's zenith, with the right amount of darkness beneath its surface and note-perfect earnestness. It singles out the great supporting characters and the way Crowe creates a complete world around Lloyd and his relationships. [Read the review](https://collider.com/say-anything-20th-anniversary-edition-blu-ray-review/) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/say-anything.md