John Cusack has this look. You know the one—the slightly manic, fast-talking, charmingly cynical expression that defined a specific era of eighties cinema. Before he was holding a boombox over his head in Say Anything, he was Walter "Gib" Gibson in The Sure Thing. Released in 1985, this movie basically perfected the "enemies-to-lovers" road trip trope before it became a tired cliché. It's weirdly smart. Honestly, most romantic comedies from that decade feel like they were written by people who had never actually spoken to a woman, but Rob Reiner’s second directorial effort (right after This Is Spinal Tap) managed to capture something genuine about the awkward, sweaty, desperate transition from high school to college.
It’s a simple setup. Gib is a freshman at a New England college, struggling to adjust and failing miserably at picking up girls. His buddy Lance (played by a very young, very blonde Anthony Edwards) calls him from California to tell him there’s a "Sure Thing" waiting for him—a gorgeous girl who wants to hook up, no strings attached. Gib decides to hitchhike across the country in the middle of winter. The problem? He ends up stuck in a car with Alison Bradbury (Daphne Zuniga), a straight-laced, over-prepared, and generally annoyed classmate who can't stand his lack of discipline.
The Chemistry of Conflict in The Sure Thing
The magic of the film isn't the destination. It's the friction. Zuniga and Cusack aren't just playing types; they’re playing specific people with specific insecurities. Alison is obsessed with her "planner" and her boring, older boyfriend Jason. Gib is a mess who hides behind sarcasm because he’s terrified of actually trying and failing.
Most people forget how grounded this movie is compared to its peers. While films like Weird Science were leaning into high-concept fantasy, The Sure Thing stayed in the realm of the possible. They get kicked out of a car. They run out of money. They sleep in a trailer. They bicker about how to properly eat a potato chip. That scene, by the way—the "how to eat a snack" debate—is exactly why the movie works. It’s mundane. It’s human.
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Cusack was only 17 or 18 when they filmed this. Think about that. He’s carrying a major studio film with the timing of a seasoned vaudevillian. His delivery of the line "I'm not saying I'm a great guy... I'm just saying I'm the only guy" captures that pathetic-yet-endearing energy that made him a star.
Why Rob Reiner’s Direction Mattered
Rob Reiner doesn't get enough credit for his early run. Spinal Tap, The Sure Thing, Stand By Me, The Princess Bride, When Harry Met Sally. That is an insane five-film streak. In The Sure Thing, Reiner uses the road trip format to force character growth. It’s a classic narrative device, sure, but he handles it with a light touch. He doesn't lean too hard into the slapstick, even when they’re hitching a ride with a terrifyingly enthusiastic show-tunes-singing couple (played by Viveca Lindfors and Jack Blessing).
The cinematography by Robert Elswit—who would go on to win an Oscar for There Will Be Blood—is surprisingly evocative for a mid-eighties teen comedy. There’s a coldness to the New England scenes that shifts into a hazy, golden warmth as they reach California. It’s subtle visual storytelling that mirrors Gib and Alison’s thawing relationship.
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Breaking Down the Subverted Tropes
- The "Sure Thing" herself: Nicollette Sheridan plays the titular role. In a lesser movie, she’d be a villain or a punchline. Here, she’s almost a MacGuffin. The movie isn't actually about her; it’s about the realization that a "sure thing" is never as satisfying as a "real thing."
- The Overachiever: Alison isn't just a "nerd" who needs to take her glasses off. She’s competent. She’s the one who handles the logistics when they’re stranded. The movie respects her intellect even while Gib pokes fun at her rigidity.
- The Best Friend: Anthony Edwards’ Lance isn't just a sidekick. He represents the easy path—the superficial college experience that Gib eventually realizes he's outgrown.
The Legacy of the "Road Trip" Rom-Com
You can see the DNA of The Sure Thing in everything from It Happened One Night (which it heavily references) to modern hits like It’s Happened Before. It’s the quintessential "mismatched pair in a confined space" story. But what sets it apart is the script by Steven L. Bloom and Jonathan Roberts. The dialogue is snappy without being "Juno-esque" or overly stylized. It feels like how people actually argued in 1985.
There's a specific vulnerability in the scene where they’re forced to share a bed in a cheap motel. There’s no big, dramatic explosion of passion. Instead, there’s a quiet conversation about fears and expectations. It’s a moment of actual intimacy that most "teen" movies of the era traded for a montage of parties.
Honestly, if you watch it today, it holds up better than The Breakfast Club. It's less self-serious. It doesn't try to be a manifesto for a generation; it just tries to be a good story about two kids finding out they aren't who they thought they were.
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What Most People Miss About the Ending
People usually remember the final scene in the classroom, but the real climax happens in the rain. When Gib decides to walk away from the literal "Sure Thing" to check on Alison, it’s the first unselfish act we see him perform. It’s the moment he becomes a man, basically.
The film suggests that the "sure thing"—the easy sex, the lack of effort, the guarantee of success—is boring. Life is better when it's a gamble. It’s a surprisingly sophisticated message for a movie marketed to teenagers.
Next Steps for the 80s Cinephile
If you haven't seen The Sure Thing in a few years, it’s worth a re-watch on a rainy Sunday. Pay attention to the background details—the posters in the dorm rooms, the specific brands of beer, the way the extras are dressed. It’s a perfect time capsule.
After that, track down the 1934 film It Happened One Night. Seeing the parallels between Clark Gable/Claudette Colbert and Cusack/Zuniga is a masterclass in how certain story structures are truly timeless. You can also look for the "30th Anniversary" interviews with the cast, where Cusack admits he was basically a kid just trying to keep up with the professional actors around him. He succeeded.