Shanghai (2010)

Tagline: In a world filled with secrets, solving a mystery can be murder.
Cusack plays: Secret agent/journalist Paul Soames

I'm back! Over a year since my last review I have returned to the Cusack Challenge as there are new films to be watched. And even though I've been away its good to know some things never change - Cusack will be there playing a writer, in a suit, standing in the rain. Starting to wonder if these things are contractual...

Shanghai sees Cusack's Paul Soames travelling to Shanghai ("the Paris of the Orient") in the months before Pearl Harbour, initially planning to meet up with a friend/fellow naval intelligence agent, but upon hearing of the friend's murder starts digging into who did it and why. Working undercover as a journalist (his editor being the Earl of Grantham from Downton Abbey!) he falls in with local crime lord (Chow Yun-Fat) and his wife (Gong Li). Tensions rise both personally and politically...

This film seems to be aiming for a detective/crime/noir from the 40s or 50s vibe, down to the Cusack voiceover - "Connor was a lot of things, but he wasn't a fool". It's partially successful - I wasn't sure where the plot was going - problem being I didn't really care all that much either. Things only get really entertaining in the last 20 or so minutes when the action is ramped up and the guns , explosions and scenes in the rain kick in.

Would I recommend you see it? Nope, not really...

2012 (2009)

Tagline: We were warned
Cusack plays: Writer/Limo Driver Jackson Curtis (50 Cent's real name backwards!)

2012 - the year the world will end, some say, according to the Mayan calendar. Perfect disaster film fodder. And they really go for it in tearing the world to bits, although I remember the special effects looking a lot better on the cinema screen that watching at home. Its also the film where John Cusack gets to save (some of) humanity, as a failed writer working as a limo driver for a Russian billionaire and his beastly fat children. A chance encounter with crazy conspiracy theorist Woody Harrelson, means he realises whats going down and grabs the family and a plane to get the hell out of dodge.

There are good bits - the epic distruction! - and it functions pretty well as an action film. But there are also bad bits - distractions like a blonde bimbo and her dog and two old guys on a cruise ship. We also get the fabulous line from a pilot: "Come on baby, lift your pretty ass for Sasha!".



And becuase JC likes to revist roles, this is his second time playing a limo driver in a film with Amanda Peet (Identity) and at least his third time playing a writer. Obviously he gets soaking wet, what with the world as we know it ending.

Did you know? This film is appararently banned in North Korea as 2012 is the year designated by the Government for the nation to become a superpower.

1408 (2007)

Tagline: No one lasts more than an hour.
Cusack plays: Writer Mike Enslin

Since The Shining, hotel rooms have been really creepy places, which Cusack's character acknowledges in this reasonable, but not terrifying horror, based on a Stephen King short story (Cusack's second King adaptation, after Stand by Me).

Mike Enslin is a writer, who has made a career of visiting haunted hotels and inns and rating them on a scary skull scale, despite the fact that he doesn't believe in the paranormal. He receives a postcard warning him not to check into room 1408 ("=13, cute") at New York's Dolphin Hotel. Despite the protests of manager Samuel L Jackson ("It's an evil fucking room!") he checks in and almost immediately the horror begins, with the clock counting down one hour, and the Carpenters 'We've only just begun' blasting out.


Largely Cusack's film to carry (with some flashbacks and minor creepy characters) he does a pretty decent job as a desperate and haunted (dead daughter in his past) man, but while the shocks and jumps work well in a dark cinema they just don't have the same effect watching at home on a sunny day. Depending on which dvd version you have, there are different endings, the orginal one having been reshot for theatrical release, and I had the original one. Reading the description of the other, I think I probably preferred the one I was given. Don't recall which one it was when I first saw it at the cinema...

The Ice Harvest (2005)

Tagline: Thick Thieves. Thin Ice.
Cusack Plays: Mob Lawyer Charlie Arglist.

So After Must Love Dogs things can only get better. And they do, but only really marginally in this fairly mediocre black comedy. Charlie is a lawyer, who along with Billy Bob Thornton steals over $2 million from his mob clients on Christmas Eve. But things don't go so smoothly and soon hes scrambling around town without knowing who to trust.


The comedic elements work fairly well, with the icy weather preventing their quick escape and facilitating some falls, crashes and deaths, and the story does keep you guessing as to whats coming next. However, overall it just feels fairly thin and unsubstantial but if I watched it again, it would be mainly for Oliver Platt's drunken turn as Cusack's ex-wifes current husband. Apparently the book of the same name, set in 1979 is far superior.

Identity (2003)

Tagline: The secret lies within.
Cusack Plays: Limo Driver Ed

Another re-watch I was looking forward to having seen it once back upon release (sooo long ago!). I could roughly remember the premise and the ending but not much else. For the John Cusack in the rain fans this should be a favourite as the whole film is set during a violent storm and everyone gets plenty damp. Yay.


10 strangers (including an actress, prostitute, cop and criminal) are stranded at a motel in a storm, and they start getting bumped off one by one. The scares aren't too big but theres some enjoyment to be had in trying to work out whats going on and how this ties in with another side story.

Americas Sweethearts (2001)

Tagline: America's hottest couple has just broken up...it will take more than special effects to get them back together.
Cusack Plays: Major Movie Star Eddie Thomas

Family Connections: Sister Ann plays an assistant to Billy Crystal



Teaming up again with Catherine Zeta-Jones after High Fidelity to play America's Sweethearts, Eddie Thomas and Gwen Harrison who have starred together in a number of hit films as well as being married in real life. Gwen meets someone else, Eddie goes a bit of the rails... Publicist Billy Crystal must bring them together again to promote their most recent film, with the help of Gwen's sister, Kiki (Julia Roberts, playing the supporting role rather than the Catherine ZJ part).

On the one hand its nice that he got a big star packed film like this (apparantly he got it instead of Robert Downey Jnr who was having 'issues' at that time), and it does have some funny moments (love the morning breath scene, very cute). On the hand other some of the jokes misfire a bit and Eddie's mental illness doesn't really play that well. Billy Crystal, scripting as well as starring kept the best jokes for himself.

This is one I probably wouldn't turn off if it appeared on tv, a harmless, reasonably funny watch.

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.

Being John Malkovich (1999)

Tagline: Ever wanted to be someone else? Now you can.
Cusack Plays: Puppeteer Craig Schwartz

Well this is certainly one of the most original, inventive and fascinating films Cusack will have the fortune of starring in. From the wonderful mind of Charlie Kaufman comes this tale of a struggling puppeteer who takes a job as a filing clerk on the 7 1/2 floor of an office block and stumbles upon a portal into the mind of John Malkovich. He sees a way to make some money by allowing people to be someone else, but the portal has a greater purpose. Meanwhile Craig's dowdy wife (Carmeron Diaz, looking nearly unrecognisable) also becomes obsessed with being Malkovich so s/he can be with Craig's sexy co-worker (an excellent turn from Catherine Keener).



I recall being pretty blown away when I saw this for the first time and it hasn't really lost any of its wonder and charm. I also really love the soundtrack. The scenes where Craig manages to make a puppet of Malkovich himself are my particular favourites as Malkovich really seems to have Cusack's way of speaking down. And of course the part where Malkovich enters the portal himself. "Malkovich, Malkovich..." Definitely one of my favourite Cusack films, even if he isn't looking as handsome as usual.

Pushing Tin (1999)

Tagline: A comedy about losing control

Cusack Plays: Nick Falzone, Ace Air Traffic Controller

Probably best remembered as being the movie Angelina Jolie and Billy Bob Thornton met on and embarked on their brief and crazy marriage. (Remembered the vials of blood and padded sex caves etc?, Ah it seems like forever ago). Cusack is disgruntled by new, reckless controller Billy Bob, and things start to unravel, drawing wives Cate Blanchett and Angelina into the picture.

I watched this with my good chums Jo and Joe, after we had tried and failed to persuade Joe that he really wanted to watch Practical Magic with us. I think we all had the same general impression (well Jo and I thought Angelina was more slutty than Joe thought she was). The premise is interesting and the job seems fascinating, but it doesn't really make for a great two hour movie. I assume that major incidents and near misses are fairly rare (or as someone getting on a plane next week I hope they are) but in this you have to have a bunch of them for the drama. Still the acting is fairly decent, and you would hope so with three Oscar winners taking 3 of the 4 central roles (I know Billy's was for writing, but he's been nominated for acting too). Cusack sings. And wears a bunch of tracksuits. Be warned.

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.

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: