The Sure Thing Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A college guy drives across the country for a guaranteed hookup, only to realize the real treasure was the uptight girl he annoyed along the way.

🍿 The Sure Thing: Detailed Plot Synopsis

College Struggles and a Tempting Offer

Walter ‘Gib’ Gibson, a college freshman, is struggling to find success with women. He feels lost and disillusioned compared to his high school days. His friend Lance, now in California, extends an invitation for Gib to spend Christmas break with him, promising a guaranteed romantic encounter with a ‘sure thing’. The ‘sure thing’ is presented as a beautiful, carefree woman who is eager to meet Gib, offering a no-strings-attached experience. This proposition is extremely tempting to Gib, who feels inadequate and inexperienced. He sees it as an opportunity to finally have the kind of romantic success he craves and escape his current college woes.

An Unexpected Road Trip Companion

Simultaneously, Alison Bradbury, a studious and organized classmate of Gib’s, also plans a trip to California to visit her boyfriend, Jason. Alison is the antithesis of Gib – responsible, focused, and seemingly uninterested in casual romance. Due to financial constraints and travel logistics, Gib and Alison unexpectedly find themselves sharing a ride to California. The road trip becomes a clash of personalities and values. Gib’s carefree attitude and pursuit of the ‘sure thing’ directly conflict with Alison’s structured life and commitment to her boyfriend. This creates tension and comedic situations as they navigate the journey together, experiencing various mishaps and encounters along the way.

Shifting Perspectives and Growing Feelings

As Gib and Alison face challenges and navigate the road trip, their initial animosity gradually evolves into something more complex. They begin to see each other in a new light, recognizing qualities they initially overlooked. Alison starts to appreciate Gib’s humor and spontaneity, while Gib begins to see beyond Alison’s rigid exterior, discovering her hidden vulnerability and intelligence. Their shared experiences and forced proximity lead to unexpected emotional connections. Despite their contrasting personalities and destinations, they find themselves drawn to each other. The ‘sure thing’ and Alison’s boyfriend start to appear less appealing as their feelings intensify, causing inner conflict and uncertainty.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Walter ‘Gib’ Gibson (John Cusack): A college freshman who embarks on a cross-country road trip seeking a promised ‘sure thing’ but unexpectedly finds a connection with his travel companion.
• Alison Bradbury (Daphne Zuniga): An uptight and studious college student who reluctantly joins Gib on a road trip, ultimately discovering a different side of herself and developing feelings for him.
• Lance (Anthony Edwards): Gib’s friend in California who entices him with the promise of a ‘sure thing’, setting the stage for Gib’s journey.
• The Sure Thing (Nicollette Sheridan): The alluring woman in California who represents Gib’s initial goal but ultimately proves to be less fulfilling than he anticipated.
• Gary Cooper (Tim Robbins): One half of the oddball couple who initially gives Gib and Alison a ride, representing a humorous and chaotic element of their journey.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Gib: “Three thousand miles just to get laid. I really respect that.” – Gib is flattered that a trucker respects his dedication to travel so far for a ‘sure thing.’
• Allison: “Spontaneity has its time and place.” – Allison says this in response to Gib’s impulsive behavior, highlighting her structured personality.
• Professor Taub: “Life is the ultimate experience, but you have to experience it in order to write about it.” – Professor Taub encourages Gib to live life to the fullest to improve his writing.
• Gib: “Barkeep! Bring this man… a trough of spritzer!” – Gib jokingly calls for an oversized drink, mocking the preppy drink orders at the bar.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $4.5M
• Domestic Gross: $18.1M
• Worldwide Gross: $18.1M

💥 The Sure Thing Reviews

Personal Review

I absolutely adore ‘The Sure Thing’! It’s one of those movies that makes me nostalgic for the 80s. John Cusack is fantastic, and the road trip adventure is so much fun. The scene where they shotgun a beer is hilarious, and I love the ending with the English paper. Definitely a feel-good movie that I can watch over and over.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of John Cusack”
  • “Viewers who enjoy 80s teen comedies”
  • “Those who appreciate classic romantic comedies”
  • “Fans of road trip movies”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Suggestive themes”
  • “Mild language”
  • “Brief moments of peril”

Professional Reviews

• Comic Book Resources: “This coming-of-age road movie blends romance with humor, featuring John Cusack and Daphne Zuniga. Directed by Rob Reiner, it explores the theme of finding love in unexpected places. A classic 80s rom-com that’s both sweet and funny.
• Slash Film: “The movie stands out for its honest portrayal of college relationships and the awkwardness of first love, showcasing Cusack’s and Zuniga’s ability to make the story feel real and relatable.

Audience Reactions

Viewers loved the chemistry between John Cusack and Daphne Zuniga, making their on-screen relationship believable and engaging.: Most people agree that the movie is a sweet, funny, and feel-good romantic comedy that captures the essence of 80s teen films.

Overall Consensus: ‘The Sure Thing’ is generally considered a charming and funny 80s romantic comedy, well-acted with memorable characters, despite a predictable plot.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Rob Reiner was so nervous about shooting the beach scene with Nicollette Sheridan in a bikini that he let the director of photography film it without him.”
• “The scene where Gib teaches Allison to shotgun a beer was added after John Cusack told Rob Reiner it was something he actually knew how to do.”
• “Henry Winkler, best known for his role as ‘The Fonz’ on ‘Happy Days,’ produced the film.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Sure Thing?

As of today, viewing options for ‘The Sure Thing’ can be found on various streaming platforms. Check services like Prime Video, Apple TV, and others for rental or purchase options. You may also be able to find it for rent or purchase on platforms like YouTube Movies or Google Play Movies. Availability may vary depending on your region. Search Amazon for purchase options.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Sure Thing, you might like these similar films:

• It Happened One Night (1934): A classic screwball comedy featuring a mismatched couple on a road trip who eventually fall in love, influencing ‘The Sure Thing’.
• Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987): Road trip movie with two polar opposite personalities forced to travel together, full of humor and character development.
• Say Anything… (1989): Another John Cusack-led romantic film from the same era, capturing the sincerity and awkwardness of young love.
• Easy A (2010): A modern teen comedy that captures the spirit of the 80s with clever writing and a strong female lead navigating social expectations.

🛒 The Sure Thing Related Products

• The Sure Thing Movie Poster: A high-quality reproduction of the original movie poster. Capture the essence of this 80s classic with this vibrant poster that will bring nostalgia to any room.
• 80s Retro T-Shirt: A vintage-style t-shirt with 80s-inspired graphics. Made of soft, comfortable material, it’s perfect for casual wear or a themed party.
• The John Cusack Collection: A digital collection featuring some of John Cusack’s best movies, including ‘Say Anything…’, ‘Better Off Dead…’, and ‘High Fidelity’.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Sure Thing features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Infatuation” – performed by Rod Stewart
• “405” – performed by The Cars

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Sure Thing by David Ives (Film Adaptation) HD

Ever wondered what ‘Sure Thing’ would look like on stage? This college film adaptation gives you a glimpse! It’s a cool, concise version, and honestly, it’s fascinating to see how they interpreted the play’s unique format.

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