The Journey of Natty Gann (1985)

Tagline: Her name is Natty Gann. Two thousand miles of danger separate her from her father. Only love, hope and courage can help her find him.
Cusack plays: Depression era drifter Harry
Did you know? Jed the wolf dog is also in White Fang and The Thing.

Taking a break from the 1980s teen flicks to do a turn in a Disney adventure which follows Natalie 'Natty' Gann as she travels across the country from Chicago to be reunited with her father who has taken a job logging in Washington state. Its 1935, times are hard, but Natty has a handy wolf-dog to help her along the way, and Cusack for part of the journey. He doesn't have a big part, mostly jumping on and off trains, but he's rather attractive and makes an impression. I assumed Natty was about 12 and he about 18 or 19 so it came as a surprise when there was a romantic undertone and a brief kiss - I guess she was perhaps a little older.

The wolf is clearly the star of the film, he gets all the good close ups and is listed first in the credits. Well it does save her from a possible rapist.

Better off Dead (1985)

Tagline: "You've blown up your neighbor's mom. Your seven-year-old brother has better luck with women than you do. Your girlfriend has a new boyfriend. Relax, you're never..."

or "Insanity doesn't run in the family, it gallops"

Cusack plays: Lane Myer, teen recently dumped by adored girlfriend Beth for the star of the Ski team he desires to join.

Apparantly he hates this film, and I suppose I can see why - it is kind of weird and probably not the best use of his talents.



Surreal at times - a class thrilled by maths problems, a pair of dancing animated burgers singing Van Halen and a mother who dresses up as a reindeer and has a strange line in cooking. But its sort of funny too - but definitely should not be watched under the influence - that way is just kind of trippy. The title refers to the 'comedic' and half arsed suicide attempts Lane makes or accidentally makes throughout the film to heal his pain at being ditched.

The climax of the film is a marginally thriliing ski race with his love rival Roy Stalin. Alas this will not be the last Cusack film to feature a ski race (just wait until we get to True Colours...)

I liked his little brother - genious with both technology and the ladies, and the persistent paper boy pursuing his "two dollars!".

The Sure Thing (1985)

Tagline: A sure thing comes once in a lifetime... but the real thing lasts forever.
Cusack plays: Walter 'Gib' Gibson, college student heading across the country to hook up with a stunning 'Sure Thing' (Nicolette Sheridan aka Edie from Desperate Housewives oiling herself up in her first film role)
Did you know? One of the Executive Producers of this film was Henry Winkler, yeah the Fonz!

Cusack's first leading role and very enjoyable it is too. Its the Christmas holidays and Gib is fed up not meeting girls at his East Coast college. Luckily his friend from school Anthony Edwards (Goose! Dr Greene!) is in California and tells his about a 'sure thing' who will definitely do the deed with him. To get there he has to travel across country with square Alison from his English class (Daphne Zuniga -Brooke's mum in One Tree Hill). You can guess what happens....

I enjoyed this film, Cusack gets to show off his acting chops, and it provides the first of a number of occassions where he gets all wet in the rain. I particularly enjoyed a scene where he pretends to be a crazy hitchhiker to rescue Alison from a dodgy driver. This is also the first film where Cusack appears alongside friend Tim Robbins, and I noticed Steve Pink (writer and producer of future Cusack films such as High Fidelity) is listed as 'football player'. Robbins is hilarious as his show tune singing first ride - "this is the dawning of the age of Aquarius...". Also giving them a ride is Mr Heckles from Friends.


here comes the spoilery 1980s style trailer and the funny psycho scene: