The Fascinating Account of John Cusack's Representative Boom Box Moment in Say Anything Being Put Together
In the generation-defining movie 'Say Anything,' the scene where Lloyd Dobler (played by John Cusack) serenades Diane Court (Ione Skye) with a boombox has become iconic. However, this scene was initially met with reservations from John Cusack himself. At first, director Cameron Crowe and the producers acquiesced to Cusack's wishes, going in a different direction for the scene. The original song choice was 'To Be A Lover' by Billy Idol, but it was later changed to 'In Your Eyes' by Peter Gabriel. Another contender was 'Love Will Tear Us Apart' by Joy Division before that. Crowe seemed to know that the original concept wouldn't be effective. He initially tried to get the famous shot on the last day of filming, but it required careful thought and direction to make it work effectively. Lazlo Kovacs, a legend in cinematography, worked alongside Crowe on 'Say Anything' to bring this scene to life. In the original concept, Lloyd might have sat solemnly outside Diane's window with the boombox playing next to him. However, the emotional mode of the character was enhanced by Cusack's disgruntled demeanor, portraying Lloyd as one part Gen X-slacker icon and one part love fool. Despite his initial reservations, Cusack agreed to the shot reluctantly. The choice to trust Crowe and Kovacs' vision proved to be beneficial for the film. The boom box scene in 'Say Anything' is not just a great music moment in a Cusack movie, but a significant moment in film history. The boom box scene continues to be a shot that will never be forgotten. Its impact is evident in the emotional performance delivered by Cusack, effectively portraying Lloyd Dobler as a love fool. The scene has become synonymous with the movie and the generation it represents, despite Cusack's initial reservations.
