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The Sure Thing

  • 1985
  • PG-13
  • 1h 35m
IMDb RATING
7.0/10
23K
YOUR RATING
John Cusack, Nicollette Sheridan, and Daphne Zuniga in The Sure Thing (1985)
Walter Gibson is a university freshman going through a dry spell. His old buddy arranges a "sure thing" for him in California. Gibson and his classmate Allison then take a long road trip out to Cali, and both foil each other's plans.
Play trailer2:50
1 Video
84 Photos
Teen ComedyComedyDramaRomance

Walter Gibson is a university freshman going through a dry spell. His old buddy arranges a "sure thing" for him in California. Gibson and his classmate Allison then take a long road trip out... Read allWalter Gibson is a university freshman going through a dry spell. His old buddy arranges a "sure thing" for him in California. Gibson and his classmate Allison then take a long road trip out to Cali, and both foil each other's plans.Walter Gibson is a university freshman going through a dry spell. His old buddy arranges a "sure thing" for him in California. Gibson and his classmate Allison then take a long road trip out to Cali, and both foil each other's plans.

  • Director
    • Rob Reiner
  • Writers
    • Steve Bloom
    • Jonathan Roberts
  • Stars
    • John Cusack
    • Daphne Zuniga
    • Anthony Edwards
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.0/10
    23K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Rob Reiner
    • Writers
      • Steve Bloom
      • Jonathan Roberts
    • Stars
      • John Cusack
      • Daphne Zuniga
      • Anthony Edwards
    • 86User reviews
    • 58Critic reviews
    • 76Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Videos1

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:50
    Official Trailer

    Photos84

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    Top cast44

    Edit
    John Cusack
    John Cusack
    • Walter 'Gib' Gibson
    Daphne Zuniga
    Daphne Zuniga
    • Alison Bradbury
    Anthony Edwards
    Anthony Edwards
    • Lance
    Boyd Gaines
    Boyd Gaines
    • Jason
    Tim Robbins
    Tim Robbins
    • Gary Cooper
    Lisa Jane Persky
    Lisa Jane Persky
    • Mary Ann Webster
    Viveca Lindfors
    Viveca Lindfors
    • Professor Taub
    Nicollette Sheridan
    Nicollette Sheridan
    • The Sure Thing
    Marcia Christie
    • Julie
    Robert Anthony Marcucci
    • Bobby
    Sarah Buxton
    Sarah Buxton
    • Sharon
    Lorrie Lightle
    • Lucy
    Joshua Cadman
    Joshua Cadman
    • Jimbo
    Krystal Richards
    • Girl in Photo
    John Putch
    John Putch
    • Mastin
    Steve Pink
    Steve Pink
    • Football Player
    Tracy Reiner
    Tracy Reiner
    • Alison's Friend
    Martin J. Layton
    • Frat Guy
    • (as Marty Layton)
    • Director
      • Rob Reiner
    • Writers
      • Steve Bloom
      • Jonathan Roberts
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The scene where Gib teaches Alison to shotgun a beer was added to the script after John Cusack told Rob Reiner it was something he knew how to do.
    • Goofs
      When Gib teaches Alison to shotgun a beer, his pants become soaked with beer, but when he leaves the room they are completely dry.
    • Quotes

      Professor Taub: [reading Gib's Paper] 'It could be tonight,' he though as he stood in the corner, pretending to have a good time. He would meet her tonight. All his young life, he had dreamed of a girl like this. 5'6, silky hair, trim, nubile body. Nubile, by the way, is spelled with a "u".

      [Continuing]

      Professor Taub: Trim, nubile body that really knew how to move. And soft, deeply tanned skin. Now as for personality traits, she needed only one. She had to love sex and all the time. To arrive at this moment, he had traveled vast distances enduring many hardships. Abject poverty, starvation, show tunes, you name it. From across the room, he saw her. She was perfect. He knew almost nothing about her and she didn't know much more about him. It was exactly how it was supposed to be. He brought her to his room. The lights were soft, the moment was right. Then she leaned over and whispered in his ear, 'Do you love me?' 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? 'Do you love me?' Staring into her eyes he knew that she really needed to hear it but for the first time in his life, he knew these were no longer just words and if he said it, it would be a lie. 'Do you love me?' she whispered. 'Do you love me?' It would not be tonight. The answer was no.

    • 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.
    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: The Beach Boys: An American Band/Maria's Lover/The Purple Rose of Cairo/The Sure Thing (1985)
    • Soundtracks
      Infatuation
      (Main Title Song)

      Written by Rod Stewart (as R. Stewart), Duane Hitchings (as D. Hitchings) and Roland Robinson (as R. Robinson)

      Performed by Rod Stewart

      Courtesy of Warner Bros. Records, Inc.

      By Arrangement with Warner Special Products

      Published by Rod Stewart/Hitchings Music/Rowland Robinson Music

    User reviews86

    Featured review

    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 ****
    • gazzo-2
    • Nov 17, 2000
    • Permalink

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    FAQ18

    • How long is The Sure Thing?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • March 1, 1985 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Der Volltreffer
    • Filming locations
      • Knotty Pine Motel - 2160 North Wilson Way, Stockton, California, USA(motel)
    • Production companies
      • Embassy Pictures
      • Monument Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $4,500,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $18,135,531
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $3,124,782
      • Mar 3, 1985
    • Gross worldwide
      • $18,135,531
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 35 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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