The Sure Thing (1985)

A college student plans a cross-country trip to get laid, but ends up traveling with a young woman. They hate each other, so naturally...

Director:

Rob Reiner

Writers:

Steve Bloom (as Steven L. Bloom), Jonathan Roberts

Stars:

John Cusack, Daphne Zuniga, Anthony Edwards

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
John Cusack	...	Walter 'Gib' Gibson
Daphne Zuniga	...	Alison Bradbury
Anthony Edwards	...	Lance
Boyd Gaines	...	Jason
Tim Robbins	...	Gary Cooper
Lisa Jane Persky	...	Mary Ann Webster
Viveca Lindfors	...	Professor Taub
Nicollette Sheridan	...	The Sure Thing
Marcia Christie	...	Julie
Robert Anthony Marcucci	...	Bobby
Sarah Buxton	...	Sharon
Lorrie Lightle	...	Lucy
Joshua Cadman	...	Jimbo
Krystal Richards	...	Girl in Photo
John Putch	...	Mastin

Storyline

College freshman Walter (Gib) Gibson decides to go cross country to visit his friend in California during winter break. Awaiting there is a bikini-clad babe whom his friend assures him is a "sure thing". Meanwhile, Allison, a cute (but somewhat retentive) girl at Gib's college has also decided to head out to Cal. to see her boyfriend during break. Gib and Allison are thrust together on a road trip from hell, and somewhere along the way, they find each others company to be tolerable. Now, what will become of Gib's "sure thing?"

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Plot Keywords:

road trip | blonde | hitchhiking | one night stand | white bra | 

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Taglines:

He's onto a sure thing . . . but ends up on the funniest journey to romance you've ever seen.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

PG-13

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 March 1985 (USA)

Also Known As:

Der Volltreffer

Filming Locations:

Big Bear Lake, Big Bear Valley, San Bernardino National Forest, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$4,500,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$3,124,782, 3 March 1985

Gross USA:

$18,135,531

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$18,135,531

Company Credits

Production Co:

Embassy Pictures, Monument Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Daphne Zuniga is almost 4 years older than John Cusack.

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Goofs

After Alison gets in the truck, the view from behind shows the barrels next to each other, touching. The next shot from the front of the truck shows a gap between the barrels.

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Quotes

Fat Guy in Bar: What's wrong with me? I'm a good-looking guy.
Gib: You are. You are a good-looking guy. And I'm a good-looking guy.
Fat Guy in Bar: You are.
Gib: I am.
Cowboy Guy: We're all three good-looking guys.
Gib: That's right. We are. And it's Christmas time, and I'm gonna buy you a drink.
Fat Guy in Bar: Something light...
Gib: What, like a nice Chablis?
Fat Guy in Bar: No... Spritzer.
Gib: Spritzer?
[...]

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Alternate Versions

This film has an alternate version. The first scene of the alternate version starts with the scene right before Lance's dialogue "Private Gibson" to Gibson (John Cusack) where Gibson is sitting alone. This version doesn't have scenes with Gibson's dialogue to two women. This version delete the scene where Gibson's roommate is making love to his girlfriend. This version also doesn't have the scene where John Cusack kisses the girl in Lance's room close to the end of the film.

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Connections

Features Hercules and the Princess of Troy (1965)

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Soundtracks

The Christmas Song
(Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire)
Written by Mel Tormé (as Mel Torme) and Robert Wells
Used by permission of Edwin H. Morris & Co., A Division of MPL Communications, Inc.

User Reviews

Is a sure bet

I like this one. Having always been a fan of Daphne Z, I have to say its strange that her career hasn't taken off better than this promised. She has poise, presance, looks, ability. Cusack himself is still around, be it in 'Thin Red Line' or '8 Men Out' or whatever.

I like how sweet natured this is, and how these kids aren't all cock-sure sex-fiends, unlike in all those other Porky's type flix of the era.

The soundtrack is pretty good too-the Cars, Huey Lewis, Wang Chung, Rod Stewart too. Who would thought that Rob Reiner'd turn out to be such a good director? This was his first traditional movie Move, if you will-after the Psuedo-documentary 'Spinal Tap' from the previous year-and it's a good one.

Very 80s, but a Good 80s flick. You will like this if you get a chance to see it.

*** outta ****