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Say Anything... poster

Is Say Anything... OK for Kids?

RomanceComedyDrama
14+
PG-13⭐ 7.3 / 101989 · 1h 40m
Cameron Crowe

Where to Watch

United States

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Streaming data by JustWatch

What's In It

Based on the actual screenplay
🗡️Violence
Mild▼
Moments in the script, mildest → most intense
1
Cartoon / Comedic
1
Action & Peril
0
Injuries & Death Shown
0
Graphic & Disturbing
  • A training montage shows Lloyd kickboxing, punching bags and pads with his trainer in an upbeat, non-threatening sequence.
  • Lloyd casually mentions his record as a fighter is 8-6 and that he's never been knocked down, referenced in dialogue rather than shown.
  • No fights involving real danger, no weapons, and no injuries are depicted on screen.
  • The overall tone around violence is light and sports-related, not aggressive or frightening.
💬Language
Mild▼
Moments in the script, mildest → most intense
1
Mild Words
(damn, hell)
8
Moderate
(ass, b**ch)
0
Strong
(sh*t)
0
Extreme
(f**k)
  • Characters say 's**t' twice, 'hell' twice, and 'Christ' twice throughout the film.
  • Single uses of 'da**,' 'godda**,' and a milder 'Jesus' also occur in dialogue.
  • No f-words, c-words, or slurs are used anywhere in the script.
  • The language is scattered through emotional or frustrated moments rather than played for shock or comedy.
👻Scary Scenes
Extreme▼
Moments in the script, mildest → most intense
2
Mildly Tense
1
Startling Moments
0
Genuinely Scary
1
Deeply Disturbing
  • IRS agents arrive unannounced at a dinner party to inform Jim Court he is under criminal investigation — a startling, tense interruption.
  • Diane learns her father stole money from elderly nursing home patients, leading to a tense confrontation about his betrayal.
  • Diane recounts a disturbing childhood story about screaming so loudly on a plane that federal marshals met the flight, hinting at deep-seated anxiety.
  • Diane's anxiety about flying to England later ties back to this childhood trauma, creating a tense emotional beat rather than a jump scare.
  • These moments resolve through emotional conversation and reconciliation rather than physical danger.
💕Romance
Moderate▼
Moments in the script, mildest → most intense
3
Crushes & Holding Hands
2
Kissing & Dating
2
Suggestive
0
Sexual Content
  • Lloyd pursues Diane after meeting her at the mall, eventually convincing her to attend a party — an innocent, nervous crush storyline.
  • After the party, Lloyd and Diane spend the night together, with physical intimacy strongly implied but not shown.
  • Diane tells her father 'I attacked him anyway,' referencing the physical encounter with Lloyd, and Lloyd's father directly tells him 'You've had sex,' giving him advice about respect.
  • The couple breaks up so Diane can focus on her fellowship, then reunites at the end with declarations of 'I need you' and 'I love you.'
  • No nudity or explicit content is depicted; references to intimacy are verbal and implied.
🍺Substances
Moderate▼
Moments in the script, mildest → most intense
0
Mentioned in Passing
2
Shown Casually
2
Featured Prominently
0
Glorified or Abused
  • A high school party at Vahlere's house features 'eight kegs' of beer, prominently mentioned as part of the festivities.
  • Purple Passion drinks are made and consumed at the same party scene.
  • Beer is referenced casually throughout other party scenes.
  • Lloyd notes he 'rarely drinks' because of his kickboxing training, offering a contrasting, moderate perspective.
  • Substance use is depicted as typical teenage party behavior rather than glorified or shown with serious consequences.
⚡Stimulation
Extreme▼
Moments in the script, mildest → most intense
0
Gently Engaging
1
Exciting
2
Intense
1
Overwhelming
  • A party montage features dancing, music, and lively social interaction, energizing but not overwhelming.
  • Lloyd has an intense emotional breakdown after the breakup, driving around aimlessly in a raw, unsettled sequence.
  • The confrontation between Diane and her father about his crimes is emotionally intense and heavy for younger viewers.
  • Lloyd's final emotional confession to Jim Court about wanting to be with Diane is described as overwhelming in its emotional weight.
  • Sensitive or sensory-sensitive children may find the emotional intensity of the father-confrontation and breakup scenes heavy, though there is no chaotic action or loud sensory overload.
Say Anything... — Heads Up for Parents

Despite its light romantic-comedy reputation, the film includes a serious adult subplot where IRS agents reveal at a dinner party that Diane's father has been stealing from elderly nursing home patients for 17 years — a heavier crime storyline than many parents may expect from this movie.

About Say Anything...

Say Anything... follows Lloyd Dobler, an amiable underachiever and aspiring kickboxer, who falls for Diane Court, the class valedictorian preparing to leave for a prestigious fellowship in England. Their sweet, awkward romance is complicated by Diane's discovery that her beloved father has been secretly stealing from elderly nursing home patients, forcing her to reckon with family loyalty, honesty, and growing up.

👨‍👧
Best watched together
The intimacy references (Diane's 'I attacked him anyway' comment and Lloyd's father's 'You've had sex' conversation) and the emotionally heavy father-daughter betrayal storyline benefit from a parent present to help teens process the themes of honesty, sex, and family trust.

Family Takeaways from Say Anything...

What it gets right

  • ✓The film portrays a genuinely caring, patient romantic relationship, shown through moments like Lloyd teaching Diane stick shift driving.
  • ✓It handles a serious family betrayal (Jim Court's theft from elderly patients) with emotional nuance rather than melodrama, letting Diane process anger, love, and disappointment simultaneously.

Say Anything... Cultural & Values Guide

Cultural & Values Guide

Values & Themes
●Traditional family values

Lloyd's relationship with his father is central to his character development, and the film emphasizes the importance of honest communication and understanding between parents and children. The story culminates with Lloyd choosing to prioritize his relationship with his father over other concerns, reinforcing themes of family loyalty and reconciliation.

Cast:John CusackIone SkyeJohn MahoneyLili TaylorAmy Brooks

Is Say Anything... Appropriate for Your Child's Age?

✗Age 5: Not recommended for 5-year-olds
✗Age 8: Not recommended for 8-year-olds
✗Age 10: Not recommended for 10-year-olds
✗Age 12: Not recommended for 12-year-olds
✗Age 13: Not recommended for 13-year-olds
✓Age 15: Generally appropriate for 15-year-olds
✓Age 17: Generally appropriate for 17-year-olds

Individual children may vary — use your judgment.

Parents also ask about Say Anything...

  • Is Say Anything... appropriate for a 14-year-old?
  • Does Say Anything... have violence?
  • Is Say Anything... OK for kids?
  • What is the age rating for Say Anything...?

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