John Cusack is, and always has been, one of America's most underrated actors. He's done comedies (like One Crazy Summer and Grosse Point Blank), dramas (like Identity and Runaway Jury) and action movies (like Con Air). That in itself shows what a range he has, and his face is so expressive that every nuance of emotion comes across as perfectly natural.
Better Off Dead, one of John's first in a starring role, is an incredibly wacky movie, with a predictable plot but enough crazy characters and hilarious lines to make it worth seeing over and over again.
It's always depressing when people come up to you and ask you if they can ask your ex-girlfriend out now, but when such people include: your MUCH OLDER teacher, your mailman, and Barney Rubble....
John does such a great job playing the lovable loser here; we know that everything will work out eventually, but it's a great ride.
Just look at the supporting cast: the shallow-as-hell girlfriend, and the stereotypical blonde jock she dumps him for. The druggie best friend. The absolutely clueless parents. The smarter kid brother. The horrible neighbors from Hell. The Japanese brothers. Lane's boss, who just happens to be Porky! All memorable, and all hysterical. And of course, let us not forget the most determined and fearsome paperboy on the face of the Earth!
And last but not least, Diane Franklin as the scrumptious French exchange-student Monique. I mean, that image of her skiing down the mountain in that cute little pink outfit.... the stuff that teenagers' wet dreams are made of.
9 out of 10. See it over and over again.
Better Off Dead, one of John's first in a starring role, is an incredibly wacky movie, with a predictable plot but enough crazy characters and hilarious lines to make it worth seeing over and over again.
It's always depressing when people come up to you and ask you if they can ask your ex-girlfriend out now, but when such people include: your MUCH OLDER teacher, your mailman, and Barney Rubble....
John does such a great job playing the lovable loser here; we know that everything will work out eventually, but it's a great ride.
Just look at the supporting cast: the shallow-as-hell girlfriend, and the stereotypical blonde jock she dumps him for. The druggie best friend. The absolutely clueless parents. The smarter kid brother. The horrible neighbors from Hell. The Japanese brothers. Lane's boss, who just happens to be Porky! All memorable, and all hysterical. And of course, let us not forget the most determined and fearsome paperboy on the face of the Earth!
And last but not least, Diane Franklin as the scrumptious French exchange-student Monique. I mean, that image of her skiing down the mountain in that cute little pink outfit.... the stuff that teenagers' wet dreams are made of.
9 out of 10. See it over and over again.