John Cusack: What is the Draw?

It is an obsession that plagues woman ages 25-35. It is not really understood by society at large. Not every case is the same, but many times the obsession began the first time they saw John Cusack as Lloyd Dobler in "Say Anything." That moment where he is standing outside Diane Court's (Ione Skye) window with the boom box over his head, made each of yearn to find a Lloyd of our own. We all wanted that sweet romantic guy. It is hard to believe that one moment in cinema history could have such a huge impact on a career.

We watch "Say Anything" once a year. If John Cusack is in a film, we will most likely go and see it. We enjoy the brief seconds he is one the screen in "Sixteen Candles." We like most of his films, but the ones we love the most are the ones where he plays a self involved romantic. His characters are so wrapped up in their own lives, they have little awareness or concern for the rest of the world. He isn't your typical leading male. His sarcasm and dry humor he brings to every role is trademark.

I will be the first to admit I own an "I (heart) John Cusack," t-shirt. I own much of his work. I will usually go and see a movie he is in even if it is not a movie I would usually go see. I own "Serendipity" even though I'm not usually a chick flick fan. Actually, most of my chick flicks star Cusack. (I still haven't been able to force myself to watch "Must Love Dogs," but I'm sure it is just a matter of time.) My obsession was sparked when I saw him in "The Adventure of Natty Gann," but it was the boom box scene that cemented my fandom into place. With that being said even I can see where some people may be confused. I think he's adorable, but he isn't considered to be one of Hollywood's hot leading men. He usually does not do big budget blockbusters. He has been accused of diva like behavior on movie sets. Not to mention he is a very private person. Even in his interviews, he rarely speaks about his own life. He doesn't do the things that get you noticed in Hollywood.

The hook for us is that we love the characters he plays. We love the loveable but dorky characters in "One Crazy Summer," and "Better off Dead." We love the way he integrates his persona into more serious roles in movies like "Identity" and "Runaway Jury." We even like him when he is being totally unlovable. When we should be hating him in "High Fidelity" or even "Grosse Pointe Blank," we still love him with ever fiber of our bodies. In some way they all remind us (even just a little bit) of the first Cusack character that stole our hearts.

After I saw "Say Anything," I wanted nothing more than to find my own Lloyd. I wanted a sweet, loyal and nearly perfect in my eyes. At that very moment in time that character was everything I was looking for. In my little idealist mind, there were tons of guys like that in the world. His other films (current and previous) didn't disappoint either. Cusack was consistently charming. Most of his films have lived up to that in my eyes. Sure he has made a few films I have been less impressed with. I have heard not so flattering stories about him in the media. However, most of us with our little crush on Mr. Cusack usually take the good with the bad.