Der Volltreffer (1985)

Der Volltreffer: Directed by Rob Reiner. With John Cusack, Daphne Zuniga, Anthony Edwards, Boyd Gaines. 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.

“Having fallen for John Cusacku0026#39;s engaging performance as Rob in u0026#39;High Fidelityu0026#39;, I jumped at the chance to watch one of his earliest films, u0026#39;The Sure Thingu0026#39;. And, despite a life-long hatred of u0026quot;girlyu0026quot; films and all things romantic comedy, this slice of 80s college cheese surprisingly hit the spot.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe story is nothing new: boy (an effervescent Cusack as Walt Gibson) meets girl (Daphne Zuniga), and an antagonistic relationship is formed. He hates her studious, organised approach to life; she frowns upon his laddish, devil-may-care attitude. Inevitably, they are soon thrown together – namely by Gibu0026#39;s trip to California on the promise of a blond, beautiful u0026quot;sure thingu0026quot; from best friend Lance (Anthony Edwards) coinciding with her journey to visit her boyfriend – and opposites begin to attract.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eYet to complain that the plot is predictable would be to miss the point. You know the ending within the first five minutes: it is the journey there which is important. Director Rob Reiner handles the script with a necessarily light touch, and allows the humour to be more character-driven than situational. To the writersu0026#39; credit, even the filmu0026#39;s most obvious scenes are always relieved through itu0026#39;s witty and eminently quotable dialogue.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eWhat elevates u0026#39;The Sure Thingu0026#39; above the ranks of its genre contemporaries is Reineru0026#39;s deft hand with a character; in particular his ability to transcend stereotypes yet create instantly recognisable, believable people, a feat he later put to effective use in u0026#39;Stand By Meu0026#39;. This is underpinned by Cusacku0026#39;s energetic performance, showcasing what has become his staple character: the spikily droll male whose shining qualities just avoid being undermined by his easily discernible flaws.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eu0026#39;The Sure Thingu0026#39; is also notable for its treatment of – and fondness for – the minor characters, few of whom suffer from the u0026quot;obvious spare partu0026quot; phenomenon of so many high school based films. Particularly commendable are Tim Robbinsu0026#39; disappointingly brief turn as one half of the cutesy couple from hell, and a remarkably young-looking Anthony Edwards in the long-term buddy role (notable especially for what must be one of the worst 80s fashion statements since Vanilla Ice decided on baggy trousers – see the pool scene featuring Lanceu0026#39;s phone call from California).u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eDespite its premise, this film always endeavours to be about love rather than sex. A refreshing angle on a well-worn tale, u0026#39;The Sure Thingu0026#39; provides a welcome escape from the u0026#39;American Pieu0026#39; view of teenage romance. With consistently endearing performances from both Cusack and Zuniga, this is one romantic comedy I would happily give a second viewing.”