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Our take
Lloyd falls for Diane just as school ends, and her protective father is not keen on the relationship. Say Anything... is warm and funny until trouble at home tests Diane's trust. Teen parties include drinking and swearing, and the first-time sex scene is discreet. A past suicide attempt is mentioned. We would watch together from 13.
Uplifting themes
Honesty, loyalty, and sticking by someone when things get hard sit at the heart of the story. It also shows that love depends on trust, and that even well-meaning parents can get things badly wrong Lloyd is kind, open, and respectful, and he treats his friends and Diane with real care. Diane is bright and driven, and she gradually learns to trust her own judgment, even when it means standing up to her dad
Story (may spoil tone)
Average student and eternal optimist Lloyd Dobler seeks to capture the heart of Diane Court, a beautiful but unattainable valedictorian classmate. He surprises just about everyone - including himself - when she returns the sentiment. However, Diane's divorced, over-protective father soon begins to disapprove of the match, and Lloyd realises that it's going to take more than just the power of love to conquer all.
Details
Language Teens and adults use the s-word and the b-word fairly freely, and the f…
Teens and adults use the s-word and the b-word fairly freely, and the f-word slips out a couple of times during tense family arguments. Most scenes are clean, but it is clearly beyond what a family film would use
Sex / nudity Lloyd and Diane's first time is handled discreetly, with kissing and a…
Lloyd and Diane's first time is handled discreetly, with kissing and a quiet moment in a parked car and no nudity on screen. Teens also talk about sex quite openly, and one blunt offer gets turned down
Drugs / alcohol Teens drink beer at parties and out with friends, and a few scenes have…
Teens drink beer at parties and out with friends, and a few scenes have cigarettes in hand. Drinking is treated as a normal part of the social scene, and the film shows only mild consequences for it
Self-harm / suicide A friend's past suicide attempt after a breakup comes up in conversatio…
A friend's past suicide attempt after a breakup comes up in conversation between characters. Nothing is shown and no method is named, but sensitive teens may want to talk it over afterwards
Flashing lights We have not confirmed whether this version contains flashing lights.
We have not confirmed whether this version contains flashing lights.
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Talk after watching
- Lloyd tells people exactly what he wants, even when it makes him look foolish. What do you admire about that, and when could it backfire?
- Diane's father believes he is protecting her. When does looking after someone you love turn into controlling them?
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Say Anything...
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