The Sure Thing
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| The Sure Thing | |
|---|---|
 Promotional movie poster |
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| Directed by | Rob Reiner |
| Written by | Stephen L. Bloom Jonathan Roberts |
| Starring | John Cusack Daphne Zuniga |
| Release date(s) | 1985 |
| Running time | 100 min. |
| Country | U.S.A. |
| Language | English |
| IMDb profile | |
The Sure Thing is a 1985 romantic comedy directed by Rob Reiner and written by Stephen L. Bloom and Jonathan Roberts. It features John Cusack, Daphne Zuniga, Anthony Edwards, Tim Robbins, Viveca Linfors, Boyd Gaines, and Nicollette Sheridan.
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[edit] Plot summary
The plot centers on the characters of Walter 'Gib' Gibson (John Cusack) a perpetually girl-obsessed college student of New England and Allison Bradbury (Daphne Zuniga), a beautiful but uptight student in Gib's English class.
Gib has a crush on Allison, using the excuse of her English tutoring to be with her. Unfortunately Allison is repelled by his fun-loving and 'devil-may-care' attitude. We learn through the course of the movie that Gib has been similarly unsuccessful with other female collegiates.
In view of this, he accepts an invitation from his friend Lance (Anthony Edwards) to visit him in California over Christmas Break and meet a mysterious beauty (Nicollette Sheridan). A recent parochial school graduate in her "experimental phase", who "loves sex", this string bikini-clad beauty is a "sure thing", meaning "No questions asked, no strings attached, no guilt involved."
Allison is also going to California, to see her fiancé. As fate would have it, they end up carpooling in the same vehicle. Because of their constant bickering, they get kicked out of the car in the middle of nowhere. Still arguing, Allison hitches a ride from a shady driver. The driver tries to take advantage of her, but thankfully Gib rescues her with his usual bravado and spontaneity.
Feeling indebted to him, Allison loans Gib money and decides to stay with him. As they continue on to California, they discover that they have left all their money in a hotel room and are seemingly unable to reach their destination.This leads to some very funny complications including a scene where Gib and Allison are stranded in the rain (see Quotes below). Fortunately, Allison finds out she has a credit card, and they are able to make it to California.
Gib pursues the Sure Thing, and Allison reunites with her boyfriend Jason. But shortly thereafter both our heroes come to surprising conclusions: Gib realizes sleeping with the Sure Thing is pointless because he is not in love with her and Alison realizes Jason is not really her type and she doesn't truly love him. They both return to the East coast without accomplishing their intended goals.
When they meet again in English class Gib and Allison avoid each other. The English teacher reads Gib's alternatively humorous and wise account of his adventure: ..."do you love me?" she (The Sure Thing) whispered. Thoughts raced though his head Did she really want him? What had he done to receive this bounty? Does God exist? Who invented liquid soap and why?...He knows tonight is not the night..."
Allison now knows that Gib did not sleep with The Sure Thing. They admit their love for each other and the film closes with Gib and Allison stargazing together.
[edit] Quotes
- (Both characters are shelterless and standing in pouring rain)
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- Allison: I have a credit card.
- Gib: You have a credit card.
- Allison: Oh, but my father specifically told me I can only use it in case of an emergency.
- Gib: Well maybe one will come up!
- "'Do you love me?' she whispered. Thoughts raced through his mind. Did she really want him? What had he done to deserve this bounty? Does God exist? Who invented liquid soap and why?"
[edit] See also
[edit] Trivia
- This movie was Rob Reiner's second movie after Spinal Tap.
- This movie was filmed at the University of the Pacific (UOP) in Stockton, CA and the surrounding area using many college students as extras. UOP simulated an Ivy League school feel according to producers and was cheaper than filming back east.
- The keg in the Friday night party scene being carried down the hallway is empty.
- The fake snow killed the grass at UOP after filming was complete.
- The entrance to the pool was actually the Engineering Department building at UOP.
- The classroom was actually a UOP classroom not a set in Hollywood.
- The hotel room was actually a set built at UOP not in Hollywood.
