What is it about a movie made thirty years ago that somehow seems to appeal better to us than the modern romantic comedies we see today? Maybe their reputations are hyped up and we feel obligated to like them. Maybe they just feel more natural. Maybe there is just something about 80's culture that seems fun, making us wish we could have been a part of it. Maybe they are just well crafted movies.
Whatever the case, Cameron Crowe's 1989 film Say Anything captures the essence of an 80's romantic comedy, bringing out the hopeless romantic in all of us.
Some might say it's full of cliches, it's too picture perfect, things like that only happen in the movies. And it's true. But that is half of the appeal of a romantic comedy. We as humans love to strive for perfection, making it only right that we can appreciate it, even in fictional form.
Say Anything tells your classic boy-meets-girl love story that we hate to love (but love anyway). Basically you have underachiever Lloyd Dobler (played by John Cusack) and the top of the class, seemingly perfect Diane Court (played by Ione Skye), who fall for each other the summer after their high school graduation. Having just been there ourselves, many of us can relate all too well with the confusion that comes with moving on to the next chapter in our lives. Diane wants to go to Europe on a scholarship to study. Lloyd considers becoming a professional kick-boxer.
Like many romantic comedies, these minor character differences, alongside parental interference, spark conflict in an otherwise seemingly perfect relationship. But a movie does not exist without conflict, and what is a movie centered around love without a couple of good arguments and *sigh* breakup scenes.
But have no fear, for as I have already stated, the reason we love these movies so much is because they create an atmosphere of almost-too-good-to-be-true, meaning we know they will come full circle. For Say Anything, this happens in one of the most iconic moments in romantic comedy history: when Lloyd stands outside of Diane's window holding a boombox over his head in an effort to demonstrate how much he cares about her.
The captivation from this movie stems from Lloyd's character, as we find him effortlessly charming, witty, and down to earth in a way that can't help but break your heart when his own heart breaks. While Diane is a sweet girl with the best intentions at heart, it is Lloyd that audiences route for, as it is easy to see ourselves in him. For the most part he is just your average kid that doesn't have a clue what direction he wants to take his life. His charm is what keeps the viewer passionate about the relationship because we truly think Lloyd deserves happiness.
Say Anything takes us through the ups and downs of a young and fun relationship, having us "aw" at the sweet moments, laugh at goofiness of Lloyd, cry when we sympathize with the characters' heartbreak, and eventually feel like such a relationship is possible. Say Anything depicts the romantic comedy in a way that feels natural and relatable, giving it that timeless allure that is characteristic of an 80's rom com.
