What age is Say Anything... appropriate for?

Say Anything... is rated PG-13 and PopcornCheck recommends it for ages 14+, based on reading the actual screenplay. The film includes moderate language (shit, goddamn, hell, Christ), a suggestive post-party morning where Diane tells her father 'I attacked him anyway' and Lloyd's father tells him 'You've had sex,' and a heavy adult crisis when IRS agents arrive at a dinner party to reveal Jim Court stole money from elderly nursing home patients for 17 years.

Does Say Anything... have swearing or bad language?

Say Anything... has Mild language. Characters say 'shit' twice, 'hell' twice, and 'Christ' twice throughout the film.

Is Say Anything... violent?

Say Anything... has Mild violence. A training montage shows Lloyd kickboxing, punching bags and pads with his trainer in an upbeat, non-threatening sequence.

Is Say Anything... scary for children?

Say Anything... has Extreme scary scenes. IRS agents arrive unannounced at a dinner party to inform Jim Court he is under criminal investigation — a startling, tense interruption.

Is Say Anything... OK for Kids?

Name: Say Anything...
Director: Cameron Crowe
Genre: Romance, Comedy, Drama
Released: 1989
Duration: 100 min
Cast: John Cusack, Ione Skye, John Mahoney, Lili Taylor, Amy Brooks

RomanceComedyDrama

14+

PG-13⭐ IMDb 7.3 / 101989 · 1h 40m

Cameron Crowe● Script verified

Where to Watch

United States

Rent

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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

Cartoon / Comedic

Action & Peril

Injuries & Death Shown

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

Mild Words

(damn, hell)

Moderate

(ass, b**ch)

Strong

(sh*t)

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

Mildly Tense

Startling Moments

Genuinely Scary

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

Crushes & Holding Hands

Kissing & Dating

Suggestive

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

Mentioned in Passing

Shown Casually

Featured Prominently

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

Gently Engaging

Exciting

Intense

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.

Parents also checked

Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy

Some Kind of Wonderful

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