War Inc (2008)

Tagline: When it comes to war...America means business
Cusack Plays: Brand Hauser

There are some links to Grosse Point Blank in War Inc - Joan Cusack and Dan Aykroyd appearing alonside Cusack's suited killer for hire. Thats really where the similarities end, and the former, fabulous film shouldn't really be mentioned in the same breath as this.

A political satire which sees a Middle Eastern country run by private American corporations, with Cusack brought in to kill a big wig in the oil industry. His cover is as a producer of a trade show featuring the wedding of pop star Hilary Duff. Brand Hauser also has a penchant for drinking hot sauce, and a troubled past, including a dead wife. At this rate I should create a tag for that...


Now I find the privatisation of war an interesting topic, but sadly it did not make for an entertaining and engaging film. Disappointing.

Martian Child (2007)

Tagline: Some fathers and sons grow up together.
Cusack Plays: Science fiction writer David Gordon

Yet another dead wife scenario, as widower writer David decides to adopt a child. That child turns out to be Dennis, a weird little guy who sits in a box all day, claims to be from Mars and wears a belt of batteries to ensure he doesn't float away. Yes its a PG family film all about 'belonging' and 'finding your place'.

I wasn't really rushing to watch this one and had the dvd sitting out for a while. Its all very tame stuff, but putting my cynicism aside it made for an bearable Saturday afternoon watch while doing some ironing. The Cusack siblings team up again to play brother and sister, in a story based on a novel, itself based on a real experience. Although in real life it was a gay writer adopting a son - changing the character's sexuality apparantly caused a bit of bother.

The kid is ok, despite being one of the annoying ones from Must Love Dogs, and whispering all the time. In fact a lot of this film is softly spoken.

High Fidelity (2000)

Tagline: A comedy about fear of commitment, hating your job, falling in love and other pop favorites.
Cusack Plays: Record Shop Owner Rob Gordon

Family Connections: Sisters Joan and Susie both appear. Susie as 'party guest' and Joan as friend Liz. Dad Dick is the Minister at the funeral.

Top 5 things I like about High Fidelity:

1. Somehow it makes you side with and root for a guy whos a bit of a bastard and done some horrible stuff to women.
2. Stars Jack Black when he was less annoying. He steals nearly every scene he's in.
3. "What Ian guy?!!" Tim Robbins as Ian/Ray is brilliant.
4. The straight to camera monologues and breaking of the fourth wall from Cusack. Brilliant acting.
5. Bruce Springsteen is in it!

I remember when I heard they were adapting Nick Hornby's book but setting it in America I scoffed. I was wrong and pleasantly surprised. Cusack co-writes and produces a film of which he was obviously passionate about and proud of. And rightly so. There are some problems (the actress playing his most recent girlfriend Laura never really connects for me) but for the most part this comedy/drama about a record shop owner evaluating his love life and relationships in light of his most recent breakup, is a great film with lots of rewatch value. This will be one of the ones he's most fondly remembered for.




Did you know? Eagle eyed Jo spotted that the actor playing young Rob was the same dude (Drake Bell) who played his son in The Jack Bull.

Cradle Will Rock (1999)

Tagline: Art is never dangerous -- unless it tells the truth.
Cusack Plays: Nelson Rockefeller

Family Connections: Joan plays Hazel Huffman

Cradle will Rock is the title of the musical at the centre of this film tackled by a talented ensemble cast, and helmed by Tim Robbins. It's based on real events of 1937 when Orson Welles took on the first production. As well as 'putting on a show' the film also touches on wider social issues of the time, including mass unemployment, unionisation and the wider global political issues of socialism and facism. Yeah, its a long way from Con Air.

Cusack's story is largely separated from the musical, although he does get to do some crazy dancing, as he plays Nelson Rockefeller (politician and patron of the arts). He enlists the artist Diego Rivera to produce a large mural for Rockefeller Centre but problems arise when Rivera insists on including Lenin in the picture. Arguments ensue.

Easy to admire but difficult to love is my verdict, and the standout performances for me were Bill Murray (ventriloquism tutor to Tenacious D duo Jack Black and Kyle Gass) and Cherry Jones.

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.

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.

Broadcast News (1987)

Tagline: It's the story of their lives
Cusack Plays: 'Angry Messenger'

Family Connections: Joan plays a worker in the news room

A love triangle in the news room as the pretty boy and his rival reporter vie for the hearts of producer Holly Hunter, wearing some 'could only be 80's' frocks. Its an alright film, which I have a vague memory of possibly being made to watch at school and us mostly hating it (or was it a similar flick with a journalistic angle?) It was also nominated for 7 Oscars. None of these were for spelling - they manage to mispell Joan and John's surname in the credits.

Now this is a blink and you'll miss it part for John. In fact you don't even see his face, just his back as he chucks a bag across the room and says, "sons of bitches!" right after sister Joan delivers the line "My brother will feel great, now he's not the only screw up". But for completionist sakes I watched the whole film for these few seconds. Joan also does an ace dash through the studio with a tape minutes before broadcast, sliding under filing cabinets and jumping over children.

Grandview U.S.A (1984)

Tagline: Where dreams have a funny way of coming true.
Cusack plays: Johnny Maine, friend of high school senior Tim Pearson
Family Connections: Joan has a blink and miss it role as a student in class

So this wasn't a film I was familiar with so there was curiosity factor coming into play here. Cusack is only in about 3 very brief scenes although does don a fetching 1980s blue tux for the prom and does some shirtless sunbathing.

The plot of the film is that Michelle 'Mike' Cody (Jamie Lee Curtis) runs a demolition derby which she is trying to keep open. Shes friends with Ernie 'Slam' Webster - Patrick Swayze (RIP) and he has some feelings for her, as well as dealing with a cheating slutty wife. C Thomas Howell is high school senior and wannabe oceanographer Tim who also takes a shine to older woman Mike.

Its ok. The main fun is to be had in two rather random music video style dream sequences where Tim sees Mike all sexy, and everyone dances about.

Trailer (including part of said dream sequence) below....

Sixteen Candles (1984)

Tagline: It's the time of your life that may last a lifetime.
Cusack plays: Bryce, geek friend of "the geek/Ted" Anthony Michael Hall. Spends much of the film with a flashlight on his head.
Family Connections: Joan steals several scenes as Geek Girl with her funky jumpers and neck/back brace.

Did you know? : The cake used at the end of the film was made of Cardboard.

Sixteen Candles is one of those classic John Hughes 198os movies. Everyone forgets Samantha Baker's (Molly Ringwald) 16th birthday due to her sisters impending (and hilarious) wedding the following day. She's in love with the good looking (but bit wooden) Jake Ryan, while fending off the attentions of endearing geek Anthony Michael Hall.

This isn't one of my absolute favourite 1980s teen flicks but its good fun and has an awesome soundtrack (Wham, Altered Images, Kajagoogoo, Paul Young, Spandau Ballet, Billy Idol). Not too much happens but there is a big party where silly things happen. In that respect it reminds me a little of 1998's Can't Hardly Wait, and silliness at parties are a general staple of teen flicks.

Cusack is only in a few scenes as a geek sidekick, but he's likeable and awfully cute. Overall an enjoyable watch which left me wondering just what happened to Michael Schoeffling who played Jake, as he gave up acting in 1991. (After playing the object of Winona Ryder's affections in Mermaids.) IMDb claims he now makes furniture for a living.

Trailer below with all the highlights (1980s trailers are kind of strange...)

Class (1983)

Tagline: The good news is, Jonathan's having his first affair. The bad news is, she's his roommate's mother!
Cusack plays: Roscoe Maibaum - student at Vernon Academy
Family Connections: Bit parts for sister Joan and father Dick.



So its the debut. Mr Cusack's first appearance comes as he nearly gets squashed by new student Andrew McCarthy's trunk on the stairs. His opening line? "Great, douchebag. Another year, another idiot".

This film was also Brat-packer Andrew McCarthy's first listed film appearance, and one of Rob Lowe's first few. Its quite enjoyable standard teen flick fare, as Andrew's Jonathan's accidentally gets it on with Prep School roommate Rob Lowe's mum. Cusack pops up throughout as another student at the school, usually smoking, and in one scene wearing a weirdish nightshirt. All his moments can be viewed in this clip (with the nightshirt at the 5.25 mark). The bit where he eats his cigarette is pretty endearing.




And heres the trailer: