Don't Make a Scene: Say Anything

The Story: Happy Valentine's Day...up-coming.

 

So, why not a romance film this week to celebrate? And how about a scene where people profess their love for one another? Perfect!

 

How about "the break-up" scene from Say Anything? 

(crickets)

 

You know, the "I gave her my heart and she gave me a pen" scene?  That's a great summation—although it comes later in the movie when John Cusack's Lloyd Dobler is driving around nowhere taping a monologue (for posterity?) trying to catalogue his thoughts. But, it's a kind of "bottom-line" summation. There's a lot going on in this scene (bad timing being one of them). But, writer-director Cameron Crowe kind of nails it. The interrupted back-and-forths, the "you're-thinking-one-thing-and-they're-thinking-something-else" and the re-directs and cross-examinations, the long-jumps to conclusions, the slowness of emotional thoughts to register and change (then getting sucker-punched by a side-bar), the briar-patch of ephemera and the hollow arguments. It's written so well that it doesn't feel like a script at all. And Cusack and Skye go through expressions exaggerated and suppressed while trying "to keep it together."

 

But, you can never do that when things are coming apart.

 

For a movie called Say Anything..., there is so much that isn't said. And downright avoided. 

It's the perfect break-up scene (if such a thing is possible).

 

The Set-Up: Nice Guy Lloyd Dobler (John Cusack), has fallen in love with his High School class valedictorian Diane Court (Ione Skye), even if she IS going to be going overseas for college next term. Despite the limited time and his limited prospects in the eyes of her father (John Mahoney), things have been going alright in the romance department. Until Diane's dad gets investigated by the IRS, and then things get serious. Mr. Court suggests they break up so she can devote herself to her studies without any distractions...like Lloyd. Particularly Lloyd. And he suggests she give Lloyd a pen...so they can write to each other.

 

Action.

 

INT. LLOYD'S CAR - DAY

Lloyd is driving; Diane is sitting in the passenger seat. 

LLOYD Check your mail tomorrow. 

LLOYD I sent you a letter, a letter. 

DIANE Your letter came yesterday. 

LLOYD It did? 

DIANE Uh-huh. It was wonderful. 

LLOYD Why didn't you tell me? 

DIANE It was wonderful. 

LLOYD I've never sent a letter like that, you know? I mean, 

LLOYD I felt like I wanted to tell you something, but I didn't put it in the letter, 

LLOYD ...and I didn't say it, but I want to say it now, I'm not sure if I should say it, you know, 

LLOYD 'cause people always say it and don't mean it, 

LLOYD but I think that I mean it, so, um, 

LLOYD I just wanted to tell you... 

DIANE No, we don't have to say it. 

LLOYD How do you know what I'm going to say? 

DIANE I don't know what you're going to say, 

DIANE but I think that... 

LLOYD I was just going to tell you that I love you. 

LLOYD I said it. 

DIANE I know. 

DIANE Lloyd, 

DIANE let's not start putting things on this level. 

LLOYD What? This is a good level, 

LLOYD ...isn't it? 

DIANE How can I look at you and say this? 

LLOYD Say what? 

He leans over, kisses her, and smiles. 

DIANE I think that we should spend some time apart. 

LLOYD What's wrong? 

DIANE Well, I need to study, and... 

LLOYD You need to study? 

DIANE Yeah. 

LLOYD Okay, how much time do you need? I mean, you know, I mean you'll be leaving in a little while, so that's answered some questions. (?) 

DIANE We'll see. 

LLOYD Okay. 

LLOYD It's good knowing this. 

DIANE Yeah, uh-huh. 

Lloyd brings the car to a full stop. 

LLOYD Okay, wait a minute..

LLOYD what did we just decide? 

DIANE We decided... 

LLOYD 'Cause I'm worried, did you just break up with me? 

DIANE No, no. 

LLOYD It sounded like you did. 

DIANE No. We decided that we're friends. I mean, I know it's a terrible word... 

LLOYD Well, if we're friends, why can't we see each other? 

DIANE I think that we should stop going out... 

DIANE ...on dates.

LLOYD Oooh...

LLOYD I feel like a dick. 

LLOYD You must think I'm a dick. 

DIANE No, I don't, 

DIANE I don't. 

LLOYD Yeah you do. 

DIANE Lloyd, we shared the most intimate thing two people can share. 

LLOYD You shared it with a dick. 

DIANE No I didn't. 

LLOYD Is this because of your dad? 

DIANE No. 

LLOYD Did you talk to Corey? 

DIANE Why, did you tell Corey what happened? 

LLOYD She figured it out. I'm sorry if that upsets you. 

DIANE No, that's fine. She'll tell everybody, but that's fine. 

LLOYD Did you tell anybody? 

DIANE Just my dad. 

LLOYD You told your dad? 

DIANE You have Corey and DC. I have my dad. 

LLOYD What, I'm sorry I said that. 

LLOYD Forget I said it, it's what I thought I meant, but forget it. 

DIANE Lloyd, I love you, okay? 

LLOYD What is that? What are you doing with your hands? 

LLOYD Talk to me, you're talking like that girl Sheila. 

DIANE Don't be mean, this is hard for me too. 

LLOYD Then don't do it. 

DIANE Oh shit. 

She turns away from him and takes the pen from her coat pocket. 

DIANE Just take this pen please, and write me? 

She puts the pen on the car dashboard, and turns away again. 

LLOYD I can't believe this; you just broke up with me. 

They both sit in silence.

 

Say Anything

 

Words by Cameron Crowe

 

Pictures by László Kovács and Cameron Crowe

 

Say Anything is available on DVD from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment.