The Sure Thing
| Company type | Film production company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Film production |
Area served | United States |
| Products | Films |
The Sure Thing is a 1985 American romantic comedy road movie helmed by director Rob Reiner, featuring performances from John Cusack, Daphne Zuniga, Viveca Lindfors, and Nicollette Sheridan. The narrative centers on college students Walter Gibson (Cusack) and Alison Bradbury (Zuniga) as they journey from New England to Los Angeles during their Christmas break, each in pursuit of their ideal romantic partner.
Debuting in spring 1985, The Sure Thing received predominantly positive critiques, with many applauding its traditional comedic framework. Certain reviewers drew comparisons to Frank Capra's 1934 classic It Happened One Night, although Reiner refuted any deliberate inspiration. Produced with a budget of $4.5 million, the film grossed $18.1 million, representing a commercial success for Monument Productions and distributor Embassy Films Associates.
Plot
Walter "Gib" Gibson, a high school senior, celebrates his acceptance into college alongside his close friend Lance, yet Gib remains frustrated by his unsuccessful romantic endeavors. While Lance plans to attend UCLA, Gib enrolls at a college in New England. They correspond through letters, but Gib's fortunes with women fail to improve. His attempt to impress Alison Bradbury, a driven classmate, by requesting tutoring only creates distance between them. Subsequently, Lance invites Gib to visit California over Christmas break, promising to introduce him to a guaranteed romantic prospect.
Gib joins a ride-share with Gary Cooper and Mary Ann Webster but unexpectedly ends up seated beside Alison, who is en route to visit her UCLA boyfriend, Jason. Their mutual friction leads Gary and Mary Ann to abandon them on the roadside, much to Alison's annoyance. After Alison accepts a ride from a man who then harasses her, Gib steps in to protect her. They remain together until reaching a train station but, lacking funds for the bus, they check into a motel. Overhearing Alison's phone conversation with Jason sparks jealousy in Gib, who spends his last money drinking at a bar.
The following day, Gib persuades Alison to stuff her shirt to simulate pregnancy as a strategy for hitchhiking. At a restaurant stop, Alison discovers she has forgotten her appointment book and cash back at the motel. During a nighttime rainstorm, Alison uses her father's emergency credit card to secure an upscale hotel room where they share dinner and drinks. The next morning brings a moment of warmth as Gib embraces Alison briefly before pulling away.
While hitchhiking through Arizona, Alison overhears Gib confess that he came seeking his "sure thing." Upon arriving at UCLA, Alison angrily parts from Gib. That evening, Gib attends a Christmas party organized by Lance to meet the promised "sure thing," while Alison arrives with Jason at the same event. Their confrontation reveals mutual jealousy. Although Gib takes the "sure thing" back to Lance’s room, his thoughts remain with Alison.
After returning to campus following the break, Alison and Gib behave awkwardly around each other. In English class, Professor Taub reads an essay written by Gib recounting his night with the "sure thing," which illustrates his evolving perspective on love. Recognizing what transpired that night, Alison informs Gib she has ended things with Jason, leading them to share a kiss.
Development
The concept for the film stemmed from writer Steven L. Bloom's time at Brown University, where a friend attending Emory University recounted tales of spring break escapades. To involve Bloom, this friend set up an encounter with a "sure thing," leading Bloom to join a carpool heading to Atlanta via a ride-sharing board.[1]
Casting
Director Rob Reiner was initially reluctant to meet the underage John Cusack, but casting directors Jane Jenkins and Janet Hirshenson persuaded him to give Cusack an audition, which resulted in Cusack landing the lead role. Anthony Edwards, originally considered for the protagonist, was ultimately cast as the best friend.[2]
At just 16 years old, Cusack needed legal emancipation to participate in filming; during production (March–April 1984), producer Roger Birnbaum assumed the role of his legal guardian.[1] Actor Robert Bauer returned as Moke, a character he portrayed both in this film and in Reiner’s This Is Spinal Tap (1984).
Filming
Principal photography commenced in March 1984 across Stockton and Los Angeles, California.[3] Due to an unusually mild winter, snow scenes intended to depict the East Coast were captured by a second unit in Ithaca, New York, following a late-season blizzard. The University of the Pacific in Stockton served as a stand-in for the East Coast college campus, with exterior shots enhanced using fire-retardant foam to mimic snow.[3] Additional footage was filmed at a beach house in Malibu.[3]
Soundtrack
While no official soundtrack album was released, the movie featured well-known songs from artists such as Rod Stewart, Huey Lewis and the News, Sammy Hagar, Quiet Riot, John Waite, The Eagles, The Cars, Lionel Richie, and Ray Charles.
Box office
The Sure Thing debuted with preview screenings across the United States and Canada on February 23, 1985, before its general release on March 1, 1985. It earned over $18 million domestically.
Critical response
The film garnered largely favorable critiques. Roger Ebert gave it three-and-a-half stars, commending its mature approach to adolescent themes compared to films like Porky's. Janet Maslin of The New York Times recognized it as proof that classic romantic comedies could resonate with younger audiences, attributing this success to director Rob Reiner’s skillful balance of humor and depth. Variety praised it as a refreshing return to core values amid a rapidly changing cultural landscape. Time Out lauded its clever portrayal of a teenage road trip scenario.
In 2017, the British Film Institute included The Sure Thing among Rob Reiner’s top five essential works for its effective blend of cheeky humor and heartfelt emotion without going overboard. The film maintains a positive score on Rotten Tomatoes, noted especially for its intelligent script and John Cusack’s breakthrough role.
Home media
MGM Home Entertainment issued The Sure Thing as a special edition DVD for region 1 on August 5, 2003. Later, in 2015, Shout! Factory released a 30th-anniversary edition on Blu-ray. Sandpiper Pictures re-released the Blu-ray version on December 19, 2023.