One Crazy Summer (1986)

60% of critics liked it
(15 reviews)
61% of users liked it
(14,465 ratings)

In this madcap comedy, Demi Moore plays Cassandra and John Cusack is Hoops McCann, two people who eventually fall in love and help each other out. Hoops is a cartoonist working on a teen love story that he hopes will get him accepted into art school. Cassandra is a troubled young woman about to lose… More In this madcap comedy, Demi Moore plays Cassandra and John Cusack is Hoops McCann, two people who eventually fall in love and help each other out. Hoops is a cartoonist working on a teen love story that he hopes will get him accepted into art school. Cassandra is a troubled young woman about to lose her home to a money-hungry developer. Characters with names like Squid Calamari, Clay Stork, or Ack Ack Raymond are involved in the unfolding romance and figure in several slapstick routines. Several cartoon sequences are inserted throughout this comedy to comment on the story. This was director Savage Steve Holland's second feature-length film. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 33 min.
Directed By: Savage Steve Holland
Written By: Steve Holland
Genres: Comedy, Romance

In Theaters: Aug 8, 1986 Wide
On DVD: Apr 1, 2003
Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures

Critic Reviews

Pat Graham, Chicago Reader
[A] bright, occasionally imbecilic teen comedy.
Nina Darnton, New York Times
John Cusack and Demi Moore are such charming personalities that they are appealing even in so silly a setting. There is a good chemistry between them. It would be interesting to see them make a film together, instead of being stock figures.
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
Some of the early imagery... seems to suggest that anything is possible in this "crazy" universe, but the wrap-up is just so aggravatingly bland.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
While certainly not for all tastes, it's refreshing teenage fare, and underlying its cartoony insouciance is a welcome touch of innocence.
Stefan Birgir Stefansson, sbs.is
not as good as BOD, but still great
Mark Sells, Oregon Herald
Quirky, fun comedy with John Cusack - classic 80's summer fare
Gregory Weinkauf, New Times
Remember fun? This movie does.
Fred Topel, About.com
Solid '80s movie.
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
As teen comedies go, it's not awful

Read all 9 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

AJ V

A hilarious movie from Savage Steve Holland, director of Better Off Dead, which also starred Cusack. This movie is a bit more goofy, but it's got a good story and a lot of quirky characters, and I loved it, it's a perfect summer comedy.
Nicki M

Though I love 80's movies generally, this is not a favourite. There are a few laughs to be had, mostly from the sister with the dog, but much of it is just stupid. It is so stupid that I can never even follow the plot properly on this, and I have seen it more than once (lucky… More
Though I love 80's movies generally, this is not a favourite. There are a few laughs to be had, mostly from the sister with the dog, but much of it is just stupid. It is so stupid that I can never even follow the plot properly on this, and I have seen it more than once (lucky me). Demi Moore does not help.
Cassie H

I love this movie. It was a great early film for John Cusack and Demi Moore. Bobcat Goldthwait is hilarious as the Stork twin Egg. Jeremy Piven is also another thing to enjoy in John Cusack films. Just love it! I enjoy it every time I watch it :)
James A

One of the only 80's moviesto improve over time.
Robert C

A love a good/cheesy 80's flick and this one has all the makings...good cast, fun premise. Sadly, it falls short and is painfully bad in every way. Perhaps if it were 1986 and I was 18 and totally stoned...it would have made me laugh. But as it stands, the only thing it… More
A love a good/cheesy 80's flick and this one has all the makings...good cast, fun premise. Sadly, it falls short and is painfully bad in every way. Perhaps if it were 1986 and I was 18 and totally stoned...it would have made me laugh. But as it stands, the only thing it generated from me was the occasional "how on earth did this get made" moan. One sympathy star, for John Cusack.
Dean M

Craziest and funny, and the rhino cartoons are quite good.
Sarah B

Crazy 80's fare lifted from boredom by Cusack and the cartoons.

Read all 7 featured audience ratings

Cast

            John Cusack as Hoops McCann

            Demi Moore as Cassandra

            Joel Murray as George Calamari

            Curtis Armstrong as Ack Ack Raymond

            Bobcat Goldthwait as Egg Stork

            Tom Villard as Clay Stork

            Matt Mulhern as Teddy Beckersted

            Mark Metcalf as Aguilla Beckersted

            William Hickey as Old Man Beckersted

            Kristen Goelz as Squid Calamari

            Billie Bird as Grandma

            John Blood as Patient

            Grenville Cuyler as Graduation Orator

            Barry Doe as Giant

            John Fiore as Crewman

            Joe Flaherty as Gen. Raymond

            Kimberly Foster as Cookie Cambell

            Bill Hoversten as Medic

            Barry Karas as Doctor

            Paul Lane as Biker

            Donald Li as Chrong Freen

            Rich Little as Disc Jockey

            Gary Littlejohn as Biker

            John Matuszak as Stain

            Pat McGroarty as Biker

            Taylor Negron as Taylor

            Jeremy Piven as Ty

            Scott Richards as Victim

            Laura Waterbury as Crossing Guard

            Jerry Winsett as Big Man on Beach

            Isidore Mankofsky as Cameraman

            Don Ruffin as Biker

            Bruce Wagner as Uncle Frank

            Deborah Bial as Screaming Girl

            Earl Blank as Dew Drop Inn Musician

            Robert Boardman as Man Overboard

            Donna Clements as Aguilla's Maid

            Jim Cooke as Regatta Judge

            Joan Drott as Nurse

            Elizabeth Field as Beautiful Girl

            Bob Gage as Dew Drop Inn Musician

            Alberta Glover as Aguilla's Maid

            Sharon Hope as Aguilla's Maid

            Len Lawrence as Producer

            Lisa Melilli as Ty's Girlfriend

            Herb Mingace as Dew Drop Inn Musician

            Al Mohrmann as Yuppie Preacher

            Pamela Shadduck as Aguilla's Maid

            Rachel C. Telegan as Brunhelda

            Anthony Viveiros as Man on Ferry Boat

            Linda Warren as Mrs. McCann

            Donald Watson as Medic

            Jennifer Yahoodik as Andrea

            Judith Holstra
            
            Rich Hall as Wilbur

            Sky as Boscoe

            Bob Duncan as Dew Drop Inn Musician
See full cast