The Sure Thing (tbc)

The set-up is simple. Sharp-mouthed joker "Gib" Gibson (John Cusack) has been offered a sure thing - a guilt-free shag with a beautiful California college girl. There's just one snag - Gib studies at a university on the other side of the country.

Crossing America for his date with destiny (or a beautiful blonde in a white bikini), Gib's accompanied by uptight classmate Alison (Daphne Zuniga), off to meet her boyfriend in LA. They can't stand each other, but fate keeps bunging them together. Is there a whiff of attraction beneath their insults? Maybe, just maybe.

The Breakfast Club, 16 Candles, Pretty In Pink - which '80s coming-of-age flick could you actually rewatch now? Be honest - age has morphed them all into twee nostalgia pieces. All, that is, except for The Sure Thing. Cusack's debut lead is as vibrant, funny and romantic now as it was when Rob Reiner first called cut. Reiner couldn't give a monkey's about nailing the fine points of teen fashion - it's making the people real and the gags stingingly sharp that concerns him. And the result is a classic comedy that would work as well in the '50s or even the Noughties as the '80s.

No two ways about it, it's an absolute must-own DVD...

DVD Extras:

...but not in this Special Features-lite edition. The Region One special edition boasts a commentary, Making Of doc and a ton of other extras. This Region Two release has, erm, a trailer. We know which one we're buying...

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