Young love means a lot in ‘Say Anything ...’

Cameron Crowe is a filmmaker noted for his rich characters, and before he made such Oscar-winning films as “Jerry Maguire” and “Almost Famous,” he showed his stuff superbly with “Say Anything ... . ” HBO offers the 1989 comedy-drama Wednesday, April 6, with John Cusack fabulous as new high school graduate and supposed slacker Lloyd. He shoots for the stars by inviting class valedictorian Diane (a beguiling Ione Skye) to a party, and to the surprise of both of them, she accepts.

Thus launches an unlikely, quite touching romance, with just about everyone rooting for the couple – except Diane’s father (John Mahoney, typically superb here), who doesn’t want the new relationship to interfere with her overseas scholarship. Such terrific talents as Lili Taylor, Eric Stoltz, Pamela Adlon (“Better Things”) and Philip Baker Hall also turn up here.