Runaway Jury (2003)

Tagline: Trials are too important to be decided by juries.

Cusack Plays: Juror Number 9, Nicholas Easter

Remember a time pre JK Rowling, Stephanie Meyer and Dan Brown? John Grisham was the big name in books and a bunch of his legal tales made their way onto the big screen, to varying success. In 2003 Runaway Jury was released and was deemed to be one of the better ones. Although the subject matter was shifted from a lawsuit against a tobacco company to a gun manufacturer, the general legal arguments and story remain in place.

The central premise of this film is that the jury in the case (wife sues gun makers for husbands death at hands of deranged gunman) has been infiltrated and will sell the verdict to either side for a hefty price. Both sides (especially the defence) are already spending huge amounts on consultants to analyse, select (and sometimes do other definitely illegal things to) the jury. Cusack is what initially seems to be a reluctant juror, but we quickly discover that's not the case. Jeremy Piven (him again) plays a consultant for the plaintiff.

Another rewatch where I could remember the basic plot and outcome but not all the details, this is a pretty decent thriller, bolstered by some solid performances from fine actors. Had totally forgotten the opposing sides in the case were Gene Hackman and Dustin Hoffman, both great, and the first time in their long careers that the two H-Man's were on screen together.

Serendipity (2001)

Tagline: Destiny ... With A Sense Of Humor.
Cusack Plays: Jonathan Trager.

I have to say I have a bit of a soft spot for this romantic comedy. Its all Christmassy which is always good and though the plot is fairly ridiculous I enjoyed watching it again. Cusack and Beckinsale bump into each other while out buynig Christmas presents and have an amazing night together. She convinces him that they should leave it to fate as to whether they meet again. He writes his number on a $5 bill and she puts her digits inside a book which she then sells. Years later they both are on the verge of marrying other people but then fate steps in.

Yes, yes ridiculous but the idea of having an object to chase, and having to check every time you go into a book shop or get change, is kind of cool. Of course in Edinburgh you'd probably find it or bump into each other again in about 5 minutes and find you had a cople of mutual friends of Facebook. Also her coy/crazy act only works becauses shes pretty. Otherwise, would he bother?




I also like the buddy act between real life friends Cusack and Piven and the narcissist in me loves that the central female character has the same name as me so I get to hear him say it over and over. Really like the song "When You Know" by Shawn Colvin used in it too.

Did you know? There was originally meant to be a gap of 12-15 years after the first meeting, but it was felt they didn't look fresh faced enough to pull this off.

Grosse Pointe Blank (1997)

Tagline: Even A Hit Man Deserves A Second Shot!
Cusack plays: Hitman Martin Q Blank

Family Connections: Sister Joan being awesome as Martin's assistant Marcella, brother Bill as 'waiter' (clocked him puring drinks at the reunion) and bit part for sister Ann.

For one of the key films in the Cusack catalogue you think they would have gone for a different picture for the poster - looks a bit unlike him right?

Things which are great about this film: every single Dan Aykroyd scene, the 80s soundtrack, Cusack looking ace in a suit, sharp script, the performances (wasn't a massive fan of Minnie Driver before but I guess she's ok in this), and THAT scene where he holds the baby as Under Pressure plays in the background. Swoon. This is probably the film which made me fall for Cusack, and it was great to watch it again with friends, cakes and Rum. One of the best.

Floundering (1994)

Tagline: A post-riot comedy
Cusack plays: JC

This was, so far, the hardest film to get hold of. I had to import the DVD from the States. I was kind of hoping that the billing and picture on the cover meant that he would have a significant part. But no, he's only in one scene. Grr.

I get the feeling this 'comedy' and social commentary was a real collaborative effort and the people involved enjoyed being part of it. But as a viewer, its not that engaging. John (James Le Gros) 'flounders' in LA in the aftermath of the 1994 riots, thinking of how he could help others and improve the world, but lacking the motivation to do so. There are a bunch of disjointed and often imaginery scenes with various characters in his life.

it feels very 90s, and perhaps had some relevance and meaning at the time, but 16 years on, its dated at worst, retro at best. I found the singing and dancing by cast and crew over the end credits rather excruciating. At least JC just nods along and looks cool in his shades.

Bob Roberts (1992)

Tagline: Vote first. Ask questions later.

Cusack plays: Host of Cutting Edge Live.

Written, directed by and starring the talented Tim Robbins, Bob Roberts is a mockumentary of a folk singer turned conservative politician and his run for the Senate. It hits all the political buttons - corruption, slander and attempted assassination. Roberts former career means that there are plenty of catchy tunes to hum along to, and the (often dirty) campaigning through music is a nice touch. Look out also for a very fresh faced Jack Black in his first film role.

Cusack pops up for a few minutes as the guest host of Cutting Edge Live, the sketch show where tempers start to flare over the messages Roberts is putting across in his appearance. He's got a scruffy thing going on in his scenes.

The Player (1992)

Tagline: The Best Movie Ever Made!" - Griffin Mill
Cusack plays: Himself in a very brief cameo

So technically (playing by my initial rules) I didn't have to watch this one as appearing as yourself means the film is not listed alongside his other movies on imdb. But I did watch all of Broadcast News only to see his back and hear one line, so why not. Plus, I remember enjoying this the first time around when I went through an Altman phase.

This is a enjoyable satire, focusing on Hollywood Studio Exec, Griffin Mill (Tim Robbins) who is being sent death threats by a writer he turned down. Famous for its opening tracking shot (7 minutes and 47 seconds!) and massive number of big names, either acting in it or cameoing as themselves. I think its worn reasonably well, for being nearly 20 years old, and I enjoyed it, although perhaps not as much as the first time round.

And Cusack? He's in it near the start at a restaurant with Anjelica Huston (as herself) and Peter Gallacher (in character). He has a couple of lines when Mill spots him. You can just see him in the trailer here...

The Grifters (1990)

Tagline: Seduction, Betrayal. Murder. Who's conning who?

Cusack plays: Roy Dillon, small-time conman.

Moving into a new decade brings this tale of a con man and the complicated threesome (no not that kind - although there are some slightly unsettling undertones) relationship he has with his mother and girlfriend (also con artists). Anjelica Huston plays Cusack's estranged mum, having had him as a teen. Initially I thought, well she's much older than him, that's a bit of a stretch. But actually she's only 15 years older. Sorry Anjelica for thinking you to be ancient.

I can appreciate certain features of this, but it just didn't really grab and engage me enough. All the characters have 'issues' and Cusack is a bit of a bastard - hitting women! There's violence, there's nudity, and I'm tempted to try the trick with the $20 when next buying drinks.

Say Anything (1989)

Tagline: To know Lloyd Dobler is to love him. Diane Court is about to know Lloyd Dobler.
Cusack Plays: Lloyd Dobler, perhaps his most beloved character.

Family Connections: Sister Joan plays his sister Constance

This film, and in particular its iconic scene where he holds up the boombox, is cherished by a certain generation. Perhaps not my generation, and I don't think its as big here as in America, but it deserves to be. Lloyd Dobler doesn't know what he wants to do with his life, but he does know that he wants to be with school high flyer Diane Court. He manages to balance this romance with being a pretty cool all round good guy.

Other plots interweaving with the romance are Diane's dad (John Mahoney) being investigated for tax violations, and Lloyd's friend Corey (excellent supporting turn by Lili Taylor) writing angsty songs about her ex. Joan Cusack pops up playing his single-mother sister.

This is an 1980s teen film, which goes easy on the cheesy, avoids too many cliches and is full of great lines ( "I gave her my heart, she gave me a pen", " I am looking for a dare to be great situation") and moments. Fabulous ending too.

Elvis Stories (1989)

Cusack plays: Corkey, who moulds 'Elvis Patties'.

Family Connections: Brother Bill is in there somewhere

Not actually a full movie but a half hour collection of shorts directed by Ben Stiller with connections to The King. I only found two of them online (Cusack's and one with Ben Stiller as a hairdresser sometimes possessed by Elvis). And I really don't feel I need to see the others. Cusack's 3.44 minute slot has him behaving like a madman who moulds meat into the shape of Elvis' head. I'm sure they had fun making it, but its not so much fun to watch. Thank god I know the next films a good 'un....

One Crazy Summer (1986)

Tagline: "They're out of school, out on Nantucket, and out of their minds. With this crowd, anything can happen!"
Cusack plays: 'Hoops' McCann - who leaves behind Generic, New York to spend the summer on Nantucket and work on his entry for a scholarship to Design School.

From the same director as Better off Dead - 'Savage' Steve Holland and containing some similar quirks, such as animations and bizarro moments. Lets just say I'm not in any kind of rush to watch this again. Ever. I'm not big on 'wacky' comedies. This film sees the first time JC appears with fairly frequent co-star Jeremy Piven, and Demi Moore sings. Not too much else of note I'm afraid. Lots of crazy plans ensue to beat the bad guys and save Demi's dead grandads house from developers.

The trailer might actually be funnier than the film: