"Better Off Dead" (1985) - Comedy
Rating: PG
Starring: John Cusack, David Ogden Stiers, Kim Darby
Rating: 3 stars
Although definitely not of the same caliber as classics like "Pretty in Pink", "Sixteen Candles" or "The Breakfast Club", here's another funny example of the popular teen angst films of the 80s. Cusack plays a high school student slightly obsessed with his beautiful, self-centered girlfriend, who ends up unceremoniously dumping him for a ski jock. Cusack's character is then torn between trying to get her back, and devising elaborate ways to kill himself. You must be in the mood for unbridled silliness in order to enjoy this one. The story is in no way anchored to reality, but it does offer several opportunities for a good chuckle. Cusack is always great, no matter what, and it's fun to see him in his teenage years. The plot is extremely simplistic and predictable, and one of the best things about it is the psycho paper boy who chases John C. throughout the movie, trying to collect his "two dollar" fee.