One Crazy Summer (1986)

Best movie of this year hands down!

The Worst Film Ever

Don't listen to the negative reviews

Fanciful, disturbing, and wildly original, it announces the arrival of a fresh, bold voice in American cinema.

Lonely cartoonist Hoops McCann (John Cusack) graduates from high school. His friend George invites him to spend the summer in Nantucket with George's weird little sister. He rescues Cassandra Eldridge (Demi Moore) from a motorcycle gang. They stay with George's grandma where uncle Frank is desperately waiting for a radio contest. They meet up with the idiot Stork twins (Bobcat Goldthwait, Tom Villard) and Ack Ack Raymond (Curtis Armstrong), the son of marine General Raymond (Joe Flaherty). The ragtag group helps Cassandra save her dead grandfather's house from the greedy Beckersteds for their development. She has one week to pay the mortgage.Cusack is in the throws of his boyish charms. Demi Moore is beautiful and bold girl next door. It's got Bobcat going Goldthwait insanity. Director/writer Savage Steve Holland has his wacky sense of humor similar to his first movie 'Better Off Dead...' It's fun but a bit uneven. The craziness never stops and it's very memorable. Watching it some 30 years later, the most crazy stuff like the Bobcat Godzilla is still unforgettable.

Priceless. Savage Steve Holland's clever follow-up to his masterwork BETTER OFF DEAD. John Cusack once again comes through for Holland in the lead, a would-be artist summering on Nantucket with his lazy best friend. He tries to help singer Demi Moore(!) save her family's property from a deranged land baron. The Cusack/Moore romance is pretty lopsided but there are goofy scenes galore provided, for the most part, by Bobcat Goldthwait and Tom Villard as the Stork brothers. They're very funny. Mark Metcalf, essentially reprising his ANIMAL HOUSE/Doug Neidermeyer role is another big plus as the land baron. Joe Flaherty pops up as a far too eager troop leader. Part of the now classic Savage Steve Holland trilogy which includes BETTER OFF DEAD and HOW I GOT INTO COLLEGE.

Despite this being one of John Cusack and Demi Moore's early films, it is one even hardcore fans can miss, unless they absolutely have to complete the collection. I have rare moments, where I can handle Better Off Dead, but this movie is ultimately worse. I am just not a Savage Steve Holland fan, and he did both movies. So if you don't like the cheesy, random comedy and amateur animation, steer clear of this one. FYI even for the Demi Moore fans: she can't sing and the 80s synthesizers did not save her. There are too many predictable twists and too-easy jokes. I suppose if you want mindless entertainment or something you can leave on in the background and ignore while you do something productive, then go for it. Otherwise, don't watch this movie. If John Cusack (or Demi Moore) couldn't save it, you know it's got to be bad. They are the only reason I didn't give this movie a 1.

A very funny, warm hearted movie, it never fails to make me laugh when watching it. A shame it was never a bigger hit considering so many absolutely awful films did better. All the actors were brilliant in their roles. John Cusack, among a few of the others, has gone on to bigger films but for my mind, this is one of his best, along with Grosse Pointe Blank and Better Off Dead. Some great scenes, terrific lines and an explosively funny finale. The commentary on the DVD by Savage Steve Holland, Bobcat Goldthwaite and Curtis Armstrong is terrific as well. There's not many films you enjoy in your teens that you still love in your thirties and onwards, but this is one of them for me. A true gem.