John Cusack's top 10 girlfriends: What would Lloyd Dobler do?
John Cusack's "Lloyd Dobler" character in Say Anything is generally regarded as one of the top two fantasy boyfriends of the '80s. The other? "Jake Ryan" (Michael Schoeffling) from Sixteen Candles, of course. But let's turn the tables and answer this: Who was the best girlfriend for John Cusack?
Now don't go running off and say Ione Skye, also from Say Anything. She's just one of SIX prominent girlfriends that Cusack's characters had during our decade. Feel free to suggest changes to the ranking, but here's my official list.
JOHN CUSACK'S TOP 5 GIRLFRIENDS OF THE '80s: 5. DAPHNE ZUNIGA (The Sure Thing): Cusack taught her to shot-gun a beer and flash her breasts to passing motorists ("Come to mama, boys!"), but the ice princess didn't thaw until the final act. [Trailer]
4. IONE SKYE (Say Anything): Super cute, but he gave her his heart and she gave him a pen. And it's not even totally clear at the end whether she needs him or just needs somebody. Skye was similarly cold-hearted in the much-underappreciated flick The Rachel Papers. [Trailer]
3. LAURA DERN (Fat Man and Little Boy): Ah-ha. Bet you forgot this 1989 film about the Manhattan Project. Cusack plays a physicist who falls in love with Dern, before suffering an agonizing death when he mishandles radioactive material.[Scene]
2. WENDY GAZELLE (Hot Pursuit): Again, an obscure pick and a long-forgotten name. But Wendy rules as the lovesick girlfriend pining for Cusack, who is desperately trying to catch up to her during a vacation in the Caribbean.
1. DIANE FRANKLIN (Better Off Dead): She crushed Gary's heart in Last American Virgin but she was by the side of "Lane Meyer" throughout everyone's favorite '80s cult classic, teaching him skiing, the international language of love and the most important lesson of all: "If something gets in your way, turn."
Who was left off: That'd be Demi Moore from 1986's One Crazy Summer. Sorry, gang, but the only movie where Demi is a decent girlfriend is About Last Night.
Relive the music, movies and culture of the greatest decade ever with Times online editor Steve Spears. A teen during the decade, Steve is obsessed with everything from Duran Duran to Journey, John Hughes to John Cusack, and parachute pants to Reaganomics.
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Diane Franklin all the way! no other, ione should have been dumped.
Hey didn't charles dumar say, "go that way, very fast. if something gets in your way, turn"?
Posted by: Mick in Sydney | May 20, 2009 at 08:44 PM
Definitely Diane Franklin! She was and still is beautiful!
Posted by: Steve | May 20, 2009 at 02:16 PM
Just considering her NAME.That`s what i meant.
Posted by: Miguel | May 20, 2009 at 02:09 PM
There you go.
I just want to say Diane Franklin n#1? Very inspired choice.I clap my hands.Love her.
Daphne Zuniga maybe n#2 as Bassnote said.I don`t know Wendy Gazelle (i never watched Hot Pursuit) but just considering her,she might be really hot,the Gazelle.
Posted by: Miguel | May 20, 2009 at 02:08 PM
Completely agree with Diane Franklin at #1. I'd move Daphne Zuniga to #2. I love the movie "The Sure Thing."
Posted by: Bassnote | May 20, 2009 at 12:00 PM
Do wives count? You'd have to include his wife then in Eight Men Out.
Posted by: Cusack forever | May 20, 2009 at 10:37 AM