Great Character: Lloyd Dobler (“Say Anything…”)
Rounding out this month’s focus on notable teenage characters, Jason Cuthbert analyzes Lloyd Dobler from the 1989 movie Say Anything…, written and directed by Cameron Crowe.
Actor John Cusack ran through several memorable roles during the “Teen Renaissance” known as the 1980’s, without being initiated into Hollywood cliques like “The Brat Pack” (Molly Ringwald, Anthony Michael Hall, Ally Sheedy, Emilio Estevez, Demi Moore, Judd Nelson, Andrew McCarthy) “The Outsiders” (Tom Cruise, Ralph Macchio, Matt Dillon, Patrick Swayze, Rob Lowe, C. Thomas Howell) or “The Lost Boys” (Kiefer Sutherland, Corey Feldman, Corey Haim, Jami Gertz, Jason Patric). In fact, Cusack managed to work with some of the biggest titans of the 80’s coming-of-age set: John Hughes in Sixteen Candles, River Phoenix in Stand By Me and Charlie Sheen in Eight Men Out.
After breaking out as the heart-broken high school student on suicide watch in Better Off Dead, John Cusack ended the decade in 1989 with another significant underdog, and his biggest performance at that point — the summer lover in Say Anything… — Lloyd Dobler.
Say Anything… plot summary from IMDB:
A noble underachiever and a beautiful valedictorian fall in love the summer before she goes off to college.
The Say Anything… screenwriter Cameron Crowe also made his directorial debut with this comedic drama, after previously scripting two other 80’s editions to the teen market: the cult classic Fast Times at Ridgemont High (Sean Penn, Forest Whitaker, Judge Reinhold) and the lesser known juvenile romp The Wild Life (Chris Penn, Eric Stoltz, Rick Moranis). But the distinctively-layered character that Crowe crafted for Cusack truly separates Say Anything… apart from the likes of more sex-driven adolescent flicks of that era in one really big way — Lloyd Dobler, like his friend recommends, was not trying to be a “guy”, he was trying to become a “man.”
Dobler definitely has a refreshingly mature respect for women at his young age, yet his natural kinship with the ladies never comes off as overly feminine. Could it be because his best friends are all females, with one played by Lily Taylor being particularly tormented by her ex-boyfriend’s cheating? Or maybe it is Dobler’s firm connection with his sister whom he lives with that is a single mom. At any rate, Lloyd is not cruising around Seattle on a 24/7 bachelor’s panty raid — the guy only has eyes for Diane Court (Ione Skye).
The parentless Lloyd’s sensitive, heart-on-his-sleeve abandonment complex is uniquely balanced out with his more aggressive kickboxing pursuits and an insightful sense of humor.
LLOYD DOBLER: She’s gone. She gave me a pen. I gave her my heart, she gave me a pen.
Talk about a complex character, Dobler is afforded the same three-dimensional traits that are usually reserved for dramas in Oscar contention. And what could be more frustrating for a teen afraid of losing those he loves than to be dating a much more well-heeled valedictorian who will be leaving the entire continent shortly for England?
DIANE COURT: Nobody thinks it will work, do they?
LLOYD DOBLER: No. You just described every great success story.
Dealing with the uncertainty of his future with Diane doesn’t force Dobler on a one-way skydive off of the edge of the Earth, he simply pushes harder.
LLOYD DOBLER: The rain on my car is a baptism, the new me, Ice Man, Power Lloyd, my assault on the world begins now.
Say Anything… makes “the forbidden love” story trope extremely relatable by not just separating Lloyd and Diane economically and academically, but by allowing Dobler to admit that the only certainly in his life is that he wants to be with Diane — to her father’s dismay of course.
In a similar manner to how E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial created an iconic moment by solidifying Elliot and E.T.’s friendship visually with their aerial bike ride across a full moon, Say Anything… is also identified by Lloyd Dobler standing outside of Diane’s bedroom window rocking some Peter Gabriel with a boom box above his head.
We already knew that Lloyd is playing their song, just like we already knew how badly E.T. has to get home prior to escaping scientists and police on that bicycle. No dialogue is needed when pictures can poke at our emotions this well.
So what can we learn from Lloyd Dobler? Well, being a “guy” might get you the girl you want, but being a “man” will get you the girl you need. Isn’t that the definition of “coming of age” anyway — to evolve from pubescent irresponsibility to making more life-affirming choices?
Dobler may be afraid to lose his perfect girl, but he is certainly not afraid to avoid becoming the loud, lewd, and lazy “guy” that fits more neatly among his male peers. His fearlessness to face the unknown on a heart-shaped roller coaster makes Lloyd Dobler one refreshingly GREAT CHARACTER.
Dobler is an excellent role in a terrific movie. Join Jason and myself in comments to discuss this great character. And thanks again, Jason, for your post.
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