The Sure Thing
Gib, a beer-guzzling slob, and Alison, an uptight Ivy-Leaguer, are an unlikely duo stuck together on a cross-country trip during Christmas break. At first they get on each other's nerves but, as time passes, they find their divergent natures complement each other. Now they need to realize what they've already found before it's too late.
The Sure Thing
Gib is basically Lloyd Dobbler without any of the disarming charm.
And I hoped the "doting bimbo" in his dreams would be the set up to a payoff of the character actually having meaning and depth, but nope, just exists as a plot point to have Gib choose complex love over simple lust as a means to convey character growth.
There were a couple laughs in here, for sure, but overall an unfortunately forgettable 80's romp.
I watched this for the first time in about 30 years and realized I was able to anticipate every line of dialogue as if I had heard it yesterday. It was like a forgotten memory suddenly restored fully formed.
What a fantastic, charming movie with great performances by Cusack and Zuniga. The scenes with Tim Robbins and Lisa Jane Persky are hilarious (“Lock the doors!”).
An underrated gem to be sure.
It was fine and enjoyable. But still don't get why Johsn Cusack was the dude on all these types. I don't dislike him but he isn't actually good at acting. Seems odd idk haha
A great take on Opposites attract, while trying not to give into the urges of the other partner, sometimes you get to see the other path in life that draws you together. Great cast and worth watching.
I grew up in the 80’s, a time when Rob Reiner made the best films and every kid had at least one John Cusack movie that defined them. For some it’s Say Anything. For others it’s Better Off Dead or One Crazy Summer. For a rare few, it may even be Hot Pursuit, the only other movie from the director of Tron. For many it’s Rob Reiner’s road trip romantic comedy The Sure Thing. After All In The Family, Reiner was keen to step behind the camera and prove himself as a filmmaker, much like his father before him. He made a little movie called This Is Spinal Tap that got him more work. For his sophomore effort, Reiner chose The Sure Thing. It’s the sensitive story of a young college freshman who hasn’t had much luck with the ladies getting a call from his buddy in college in California. He’s told to get out there over the holiday because he’s got a sure thing for Cusack. And thus the road trip begins. He’s traveling with the lovely Daphne Zuniga (Spaceballs, Melrose Place) as they encounter obstacles on their road trip and find love.
This movie is not perfect. Far from it. But it is a lot of fun. It has a genuine heart. The humor still hits in many scenes. The cast and directing are fantastic. This really set the stage for both Cusack and Reiner to become stars in their respective fields. Not to mention the other stars that show up in the film before they were famous, like Tim Robbins, Anthony Edwards and Nicolette Sheridan. Give the movie a watch. If nothing else, it should put a smile on your face.
Reviews
The Sure Thing
vangh1 reviewed
The Sure Thing
December 29, 2025Gib is basically Lloyd Dobbler without any of the disarming charm.
And I hoped the "doting bimbo" in his dreams would be the set up to a payoff of the character actually having meaning and depth, but nope, just exists as a plot point to have Gib choose complex love over simple lust as a means to convey character growth.
There were a couple laughs in here, for sure, but overall an unfortunately forgettable 80's romp.
Rob MacKinnon reviewed
The Sure Thing
December 19, 2025I watched this for the first time in about 30 years and realized I was able to anticipate every line of dialogue as if I had heard it yesterday. It was like a forgotten memory suddenly restored fully formed.
What a fantastic, charming movie with great performances by Cusack and Zuniga. The scenes with Tim Robbins and Lisa Jane Persky are hilarious (“Lock the doors!”).
An underrated gem to be sure.
SaibianGuts reviewed
The Sure Thing
December 27, 2025It was fine and enjoyable. But still don't get why Johsn Cusack was the dude on all these types. I don't dislike him but he isn't actually good at acting. Seems odd idk haha
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Jacob O’Neal reviewed
The Sure Thing
July 20, 2025I grew up in the 80’s, a time when Rob Reiner made the best films and every kid had at least one John Cusack movie that defined them. For some it’s Say Anything. For others it’s Better Off Dead or One Crazy Summer. For a rare few, it may even be Hot Pursuit, the only other movie from the director of Tron. For many it’s Rob Reiner’s road trip romantic comedy The Sure Thing. After All In The Family, Reiner was keen to step behind the camera and prove himself as a filmmaker, much like his father before him. He made a little movie called This Is Spinal Tap that got him more work. For his sophomore effort, Reiner chose The Sure Thing. It’s the sensitive story of a young college freshman who hasn’t had much luck with the ladies getting a call from his buddy in college in California. He’s told to get out there over the holiday because he’s got a sure thing for Cusack. And thus the road trip begins. He’s traveling with the lovely Daphne Zuniga (Spaceballs, Melrose Place) as they encounter obstacles on their road trip and find love.
This movie is not perfect. Far from it. But it is a lot of fun. It has a genuine heart. The humor still hits in many scenes. The cast and directing are fantastic. This really set the stage for both Cusack and Reiner to become stars in their respective fields. Not to mention the other stars that show up in the film before they were famous, like Tim Robbins, Anthony Edwards and Nicolette Sheridan. Give the movie a watch. If nothing else, it should put a smile on your face.
