College freshman Gib decides to go cross country to visit his friend in California during winter break. Waiting there for him is a bikini-clad babe whom his friend assures him is a "sure thing". Allison, a retentive girl at Gib's college has also decided to head out to see her boyfriend during break. Gib and Allison are thrust together on a road trip, and somewhere along the way, they find each others company to be tolerable......A staple of eighties Teen movies, it's your age old story of a guy travelling a long way to sew his oats, but obviously falls in love with the stuffy girl who has rejected him time and time again.The clichés are rife throughout, they hate each other to begin with, they begin to grow on one another, become jealous of each other, and what do you know? The final act features a big party, Hawaiian shirts, your token jock best friend, and the nerdy boyfriend.I wouldn't have it any other way. This was the beginning of Cusack's golden age in cinema, and it goes to show just what a great actor he is. He owns the film, and even though he's your atypical college boy, with an awful motivation for travelling, you can't help but like him.The couple both learn life lessons from each other, they run afoul of a few people, there are some funny scenes, nothing hilarious, but it's just a comfort food sort of film.You just know what's going to happen, it ticks every box in the eighties teen comedy checklist, but you just sit there and let it take you away with its nostalgia.

John Cusack plays a college freshman who is convinced by his best friend(played by Anthony Edwards) to travel cross-country to his place, where a "Sure Thing"(well cast Nicollette Sheridan!) awaits. Along for the ride to visit her boyfriend is a fellow schoolmate(played by Daphne Zuniga) who is his polar opposite, serious minded to his goof-ball. What do you think the odds are that they will discover that, despite their differences and frequent quarrels, that they're really meant to be together? The answer is obvious in this predictable(though well cast) romantic/road comedy by director Rob Reiner, that has a few laughs(Tim Robbins mostly), but not enough to compensate, and Cusack's character isn't all that endearing either, nor Zuniga's transformation. (She wasn't so bad to begin with!)

What happened to the once so great director Rob Reiner? In the beginning of his directorial career he won critical praise with movies like This is Spinal Tap, Stand by me, The Princess Bride, When Harry met Sally, Misery and The American President. And then... the magic disappeared. What the hell happened? A movie that absolutely belongs in his great movies list, is The Sure Thing (1985), Reiner's directorial debut. After watching this movie for probably the 20th time or so, I just had to write a comment for the IMDb. This is an absolute classic!I guess nobody else but Rob Reiner could have turned this story - about a boy who's willing to travel 3000 miles in order to get laid - into a great, hilarious and classy (road)movie. All the performances are great. John Cusack... well, what's not to like about his character Gib? He's funny, charming and crazy in a positive way. Other (now) great stars make their appearance: Tim Robbins, Anthony Edwards and even the gorgeous Nicolette Sheridan (of Desperate Housewives fame) in the title role. As "the sure thing" she is as sexy as hell! Even old timer Viveca Lindfors as the literature teacher is brilliantly cast! But the one who really steals the show is Daphne Zuniga. She starts out as this stiff all-work-and-no-play girl and changes into a woman who enjoys life and likes to take (small) risks.The Sure Thing is one of those hidden treasures of the eighties. Well written and greatly acted. Rob Reiner at his best!9/10

Walter "Gib" Gibson is a freshman at a worthy east coast college. An aspiring writer, he nevertheless is doing poorly in English because his spelling is suspect and his neatness is non-existent. Since there is a beautiful young lady in his class, Gib gets a great idea. Wby not ask Alison (Daphne Zuniga) to be his English tutor and try to get close to her? Although he has to dive into a pool to get her attention, he succeeds in arranging a tutoring session. Yet, after a nice first meeting, Gib puts the moves on Alison and she walks away angry. Christmas break is approaching and Gib suddenly hears from a close friend (Anthony Edwards). If Gib can travel to the west coast, his pal will set him up with a woman who will be a "sure thing", that is, she'll definitely sleep with him. But, upon arranging a ride from a note on a bulletin board, Gib learns that Alison will also be traveling in the same car, to see her devoted boyfriend in Los Angeles. Will it be the ride from hell? Or, will Alison warm up to Gib? This is a sure thing as far as comedy movies are concerned. It is funny, original and clever. Although it was one of Cusack's first major roles, it remains one of his best, nicely showing off his abundant charm, good looks, and acid wit. Zuniga, likewise, proves herself to one beautiful funny girl. The rest of the cast, including Edwards, Tim Robbins, and Nicolette Sheridan are terrific, too. As for the costumes, settings, and usual production values, they are quite nice, also. If you think this is a film for teenagers only, think again. This film was made for young and old alike, as everyone can appreciate and remember their first awkward steps into the world of love. If you need a surefire winner on your next trip to the video store, this one is a great choice. It will have you laughing up the proverbial storm, even as it delights you with its sweet tale of romance, too.