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The Rewatchables ·

The Sure Thing

year 1985decade 80sdirector Rob Reinergenre Comedygenre Romance
host Bill Simmonshost Chris Ryanproducer Craig Horlbeck
All 28 categories

The Stephen A. Smith Hottest Take Award · 50:17

Gibb and Allison's future

Chris Ryan: The couple are predicted to have met too early for a permanent relationship because freshman-year changes and academic uncertainty would strain them.

Bill Simmons: One forecast has the relationship end after he drunkenly kisses someone else and she never forgives him; it may not survive the first summer.

The Coach Finstock Award for Best Life Lesson · 1:10:51

Take the bus

Chris Ryan: The proposed lesson is to take the bus for the entire trip; the return journey and funding remain open practical questions.

The film

The Sure Thing (1985)

Directed by Rob Reiner · Comedy

91 minutes

IMDb Find on JustWatch Find on Rotten Tomatoes
Cast

Selected cast credits · Film reference

John Cusack Walter "Gib" Gibson
Daphne Zuniga Alison Bradbury
Viveca Lindfors Professor Taub
Nicollette Sheridan "The Sure Thing"
Tim Robbins Gary Cooper
Boyd Gaines Jason
Lisa Jane Persky Mary Ann Webster
Larry Hankin Trucker
Fran Ryan Lady in Car

Everything from the episode

In the order the hosts got to it. Open a row for the discussion.

24:29

Roger Ebert's review
In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 00:24:29Read transcript
  • The cited three-and-a-half-star review praises the film for treating its love story with thought, respect, and love. — Bill Simmons
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27:32

Most Rewatchable Scene

Dive bar scene

Dive bar scene

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 00:27:32Read transcript
  • The dive-bar interlude is the final preferred scene. — Chris Ryan
  • Other favorites include the opening credits, quad football, the pool encounter, the Tim Robbins car ride, the accidental cuddle, the Hawaiian party, and the professor reading the final essay. — Chris Ryan
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35:14

The most 1985 thing

Letters and cordless phones

Letters and cordless phones

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 00:35:14Read transcript
  • Long mailed letters to friends are selected as a defining 1985 detail. — Bill Simmons
  • The cordless-phone phrase, letters to an adult magazine, Culture Club poster, and physical ride bulletin board are additional 1985 candidates. — Bill Simmons
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37:43

What’s Aged the Best?

Soundtrack and college life

Soundtrack and college life

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 00:37:43Read transcript
  • The soundtrack is praised as having aged well, with several featured songs named. — Bill Simmons
  • The film's vision of 1980s college life, including classes, parties, schedules, and Southern California campuses, is praised. — Bill Simmons
  • Young Cusack and the prospect of spending the next 40 years watching him are offered as having aged well. — Bill Simmons
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42:42

The Amanda Dobbins Award for Best Piece of Real Estate

Malibu dream house

Malibu dream house

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 00:42:42Read transcript
  • The three-story Malibu beach house from Gibb's fantasies is the real-estate choice. — Bill Simmons
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43:13

The Great Shot Gordo Award for Most Cinematic Shot

Wallet reveal

Wallet reveal

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 00:43:13Read transcript
  • The reveal of the wallet left in the bed is praised as especially well staged. — Chris Ryan
  • The dolly shot following Gibb beside the pool is another candidate. — Chris Ryan
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44:16

The Slow Ride / Kid Cudi – Pursuit of Happiness Award for Best Needle Drop

Penny Lover

Penny Lover

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 00:44:16Read transcript
  • ‘Penny Lover’ during the slow dance is preferred, with ‘Infatuation’ and ‘You Might Think’ also considered. — Chris Ryan
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44:34

The Neil McCauley “A Book about Metals” Award for Best Line from the Movie

Grambling exchange

Grambling exchange

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 00:44:34Read transcript
  • The exchange about Gibb playing football for Grambling is the quote choice. — Chris Ryan
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44:58

The Butch’s Girlfriend Award for the Weakest Link in the Film

The Sure Thing; Allison’s boyfriend

The Sure Thing; Allison’s boyfriend

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 00:44:58Read transcript
  • The Sure Thing and Allison's boyfriend are criticized as caricatures who function mainly as plot props. — Chris Ryan
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46:40

What’s Aged the Worst?

Hitchhiking and dated conventions

Hitchhiking and dated conventions

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 00:46:40Read transcript
  • The dated comic accent and using stars and outer space to humanize boys are criticized. — Bill Simmons
  • Walter Gibson's name, creative-writing workshops, and hitchhiking are raised as dated elements. — Bill Simmons
  • Traveling cross-country solely to pursue sex is considered obsolete in the era of dating apps. — Chris Ryan
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50:06

The Ruffalo / Hanna / Rubinek / Partridge Overacting Award

John Cusack

John Cusack

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 00:50:06Read transcript
  • John Cusack's heightened hitchhiker performance is the choice and is considered necessary to the scene. — Bill Simmons
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50:17

The Stephen A. Smith Hottest Take Award

Gibb and Allison's future; 1980s teen-movie ranking; Daphne Zuniga's unrealized career path

Gibb and Allison's future; 1980s teen-movie ranking; Daphne Zuniga's unrealized career path

In the discussion (7)
Approx. transcript time · 00:50:17Read transcript
  • The couple are predicted to have met too early for a permanent relationship because freshman-year changes and academic uncertainty would strain them. — Chris Ryan
  • One forecast has the relationship end after he drunkenly kisses someone else and she never forgives him; it may not survive the first summer. — Bill Simmons
  • A conflicting forecast says they make it through most of college before he wants to be himself and do something else. — Chris Ryan
  • Risky Business and The Sure Thing are ranked first and second among 1980s teen movies, followed initially by The Breakfast Club, The Karate Kid, and Ferris Bueller's Day Off. — Chris Ryan
  • The Karate Kid is then removed from the teen-movie ranking because it is considered more a sports movie, leaving The Breakfast Club and Ferris Bueller's Day Off on the four-film list. — Bill Simmons
  • Daphne Zuniga is argued to have deserved Brat Pack membership and to have been preferable to Ally Sheedy in St. Elmo's Fire, The Breakfast Club, and Bad Boys. — Bill Simmons
  • One Crazy Summer is used to compare Demi Moore's role with the kind of part Daphne Zuniga played, prompting speculation that Zuniga might have had a career resembling Moore's. — Chris Ryan
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53:26

Casting What-Ifs

Keep Daphne Zuniga as Allison

Keep Daphne Zuniga as Allison

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 00:53:26Read transcript
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55:16

The Joey Pants “That Guy” Award

Larry Hankin and Carmen Filpi

Larry Hankin and Carmen Filpi

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 00:55:16Read transcript
  • The trucker played by Larry Hankin is the leading choice; Carmen Flippy's bus-station character is also identified. — Bill Simmons
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57:26

The Dion Waiters Award for Best Heat Check Performance

Vivica Lindfors

Vivica Lindfors

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 00:57:26Read transcript
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58:19

Recasting Couch

No cast change

No cast change

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 00:58:19Read transcript
  • The cast is kept intact; the only proposed alteration is making the college's identity more specific. — Bill Simmons
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58:57

Half-Assed Internet Research

Shared role and shotgun-beer anecdote

Shared role and shotgun-beer anecdote

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 00:58:57Read transcript
  • Robert Bauer is said to have played a character named Moek here and in This Is Spinal Tap. — Bill Simmons
  • The shotgun-beer scene is reported as an addition based on John Cusack telling Rob Reiner that it was one of his talents. — Bill Simmons
  • Gibb's jersey is identified as a Kangaroos rugby-league shirt chosen for its appearance. — Bill Simmons
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1:00:07

Apex Mountain

Shotgunning beers

Shotgunning beers

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:00:07Read transcript
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1:03:44

Cruise or Hanks?

Hanks and Spielberg

Hanks and Spielberg

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:03:44Read transcript
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1:03:57

What role would Philip Seymour Hoffman play?

Lance

Lance

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:03:57Read transcript
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1:04:25

Picking Nits

Logistics and ending

Logistics and ending

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:04:25Read transcript
  • Questions include how Gibb entered the truck unseen, why the Sure Thing was eager to meet him, whether Gibb was a virgin, and why the ending cuts away so abruptly. — Chris Ryan
  • Gibb's pajamas, the implausible amount and condition of his packed clothing, and the short time at the Hawaiian party are also criticized. — Chris Ryan
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1:04:54

Probably Unanswerable Questions

Relationship and travel questions

Relationship and travel questions

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:04:54Read transcript
  • The discussion asks whether Gibb lied about his sexual history and is actually a virgin. — Chris Ryan
  • The discussion asks what credit-card bill Allison's father would receive after the trip. — Bill Simmons
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1:08:09

Sequel, Prequel, Limited Series, or All-Black Remake

Prestige television or all-Black remake

Prestige television or all-Black remake

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:08:09Read transcript
  • A prestige television version and an all-Black remake are both entertained; the road-trip structure is seen as difficult to sustain across a series. — Chris Ryan
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1:09:53

Just One Oscar

Rob Reiner

Rob Reiner

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:09:53Read transcript
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1:10:33

What Piece of Memorabilia Would You Want From This Movie?

Final essay

Final essay

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:10:33Read transcript
  • The desired memorabilia is the essay read at the end, including the stained draft as an alternative. — Bill Simmons
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1:10:51

The Coach Finstock Award for Best Life Lesson

Take the bus

Take the bus

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:10:51Read transcript
  • The proposed lesson is to take the bus for the entire trip; the return journey and funding remain open practical questions. — Chris Ryan
Share this discussion More The Coach Finstock Award for Best Life Lesson answers
1:11:20

Best Double Feature

Stand by Me and One Crazy Summer

Stand by Me and One Crazy Summer

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:11:20Read transcript
  • Stand by Me and One Crazy Summer are the two distinct double-feature selections. — Bill Simmons
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1:11:34

Who Won the Movie?

Rob Reiner

Rob Reiner

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:11:34Read transcript
Podcast choices
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More from the conversation

The episode opens as a tribute to Rob Reiner after his death and surveys his career, collaborators, casting judgment, and ability to balance comedy with emotional stakes.
Approx. transcript time · 00:03:13Read transcript

Mentions across The Rewatchables

Recorded movie reference

Top Gun

The Rewatchables · aired July 23, 2019

The Sure Thing is listed in the sourced research for this episode. The precise discussion has not been linked yet.

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