Can't Buy Me Love (1987)
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48% of critics liked it
(21 reviews) -
72% of users liked it
(47,216 ratings)
Borrowing a chapter from the John Hughes school of teen comedy, this likeable caper was a box office success. Patrick Dempsey stars as Ronald Miller, a high school nerd about to enter his senior year, who longs for acceptance as one of the "cool kids." His next-door neighbor Cindy Mancini… More Borrowing a chapter from the John Hughes school of teen comedy, this likeable caper was a box office success. Patrick Dempsey stars as Ronald Miller, a high school nerd about to enter his senior year, who longs for acceptance as one of the "cool kids." His next-door neighbor Cindy Mancini (Amanda Peterson) is a cheerleader and one of the most popular girls in school, but she doesn't even know that Ronald exists. When she ruins an expensive outfit of her mother's, Ronald offers the $1,000 needed to replace it, if she will pretend to date him for one month. Although skeptical about Ronald's plan, Cindy agrees, and her "new boyfriend" turns out to be right about what he thinks dating Cindy will do for him -- he becomes accepted by the school's snobs because of his association with one of their own. At least, for a while. Originally titled "Boy Rents Girl," Can't Buy Me Love (1987) was the first production launched by former studio executive Thom Mount after leaving his high-profile post. His company went on to produce weightier material such as Bull Durham (1988), The Indian Runner (1991), and Natural Born Killers (1994). ~ Karl Williams, Rovi
- Directed By
- Steve Rash
- Written By
- Michael Swerdlick
- Genres
- Comedy, Romance
PG-13,
- In Theaters
- Aug 14, 1987 Wide
- Studio
- Buena Vista Pictures
Critic Reviews
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, Time Out
A slight but not unenjoyable movie.
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Caryn James, New York Times
The film thinks it wants to be sincere, when all it truly wants is to be popular, just like the other kids' movies, so it sells off its originality.
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Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
It doesn't have a thought in its head and probably no notion of the corruption at its core.
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Rita Kempley, Washington Post
As written by Michael Swerdlick and guided by Rash, the theme dissolves into a bland parody of pubescent pain.
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Ellen Twadell, Common Sense Media
Teen comedy is dated but occasionally funny.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Patrick Dempsey
as Ronald Miller
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Amanda Peterson
as Cindy Mancini
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Courtney Gains
as Kenneth Wurman
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Seth Green
as Chuckie Miller
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Tina Caspary
as Barbara
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Devin DeVasquez
as Iris
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Darcy de Moss
as Patty
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Eric Bruskotter
as Big John
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Ami Dolenz
as Fran
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Sharon Farrell
as Mrs. Mancini
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Steve Franken
as Moda Clerk
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Will Hannah
as Camera Salesman
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Cort McCown
as Quint
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Gerardo Mejía
as Ricky
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Cloyce Morrow
as Judy Miller
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Max Perlich
as Lester
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Tudor Sherrard
as Brent
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Phil Simms
as Rock
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Dennis Dugan
as David Miller
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Wayne Chandler
as African Host
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Lisa Givens
as Bambi La Brock
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James Gooden
as Mr. Wurman
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George Gray III
as Bobby Hilton
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Ty Gray
as Duane
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Corissa Miller
as Transfer Girl
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Jimmie ZLee Mithcell
as Mr. Webbly
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Jennifer Yuh Nelson
as Freshman
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Erin O'Flaherty
as Fr. Wurman
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Jan Rooney
as Mrs. Hagmer
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David Schermerhorn
as Albert
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Wagelie
as Meredith/Freshman
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Todd Walsh
as Stocky Jones
