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Grosse Pointe Blank | Year: 1997 Classification: Comedy Directed: - George Armitage Actors/Actresses: - John Cusack - Minnie Driver - Dan Aykroyd - Joan Cusack Pure genius starring John Cusack Martin Q. Blank is a hitman about to attend his 10-year high school reunion and face the prom date he ditched a decade ago. He has people out to kill him as he returns to Grosse Point, MI to attend these festivities and revisit his past. His childhood home is now a quickie-mart, where there is a massive shoot-out (I love that the bullets hit a cut-out of the stars of "Pulp Fiction", a movie rife with shoot-outs.) When Martin asks the store clerk is all right, he yells "NO! I'm scared, I'm hurt and I have to find a new job!" Minnie Driver is excellent as Debi, the jilted date and current radio DJ, who gets back at him on-air. The soundtrack is great, with Bowie's "Under Pressure", the Violent Femmes "Blister in the Sun", and great 1980s songs for their big reunion. Reunion phobiacs unite, utterly hilarious! Cusack shines yet again in the dark comedy set around Grosse Pointe, Michigan. Martin Blank (Cusack) is a contract killer having a bout of emptiness. His secretary (played superbly by sister Joan Cusack) corralls him into heading home just in time for his 10-year high school reunion. Who is he afraid to see there, another killer or fellow cronie? No, it's his high school prom date Minnie Driver! (Speaking of cronies, though, Dan Aykroid plays one of his best roles ever as Grocer, the competing hitman trying to form a 'union' of sorts). From the reminiscing with old friends, to the rekindling of a relationship, to the way the town has changed, and to the current contract in Grosse Pointe, this truly dark comedy deliver big time with dry one-liners, clever and witty banter, odd and embarassing situations, and a visit back to high school days and faces once forgotten. Anyone who has even run into an old classmate from school will definitely find this movie hilarious and poignant. The soundtrack is also outstanding featuring many of the hits from the mid-80s and worked in cleverly into the plot and scenes. (Keep an ear/eye open for Queen's "Under Pressure" and the way the lyrics and the movie itself seem to marry perfectly). (Disclaimer: for those of you who might be concerned, there is a good deal of foul language, some violent scenes, and minor sexual situations. Otherwise, if that doesn't bother you much, definitely one to add to your collection). Overall, a tremendous movie with great action, universal themes of reunion along with the related phobias and hijinx, hilarious wit, and excellent acting all around. Truly one of the funniest movies that Cusack has made and quite possibly his most amusing role to date. Enjoy! It's a BIG HIT Grosse Pointe Blank is probably ranked in my list as one of the best dark comedies of all time. If you haven't seen it, just think, "Pulp Fiction" meets "satire," with a little bit of typical "John Cusack-ness" sprinkled in here and there. (Still, Minnie Driver's character is no match for Mia Wallace in my humble opinion.) It kind of makes you wonder what really goes through the minds of these so-called real-life "assassins" that exist in the world. Although I'm sure that it's certainly not quite a comedic vocation as portrayed in the film. Nonetheless, it's fascinating and it keeps the viewer sitting on the edge of their seat wanting more. I think that's why this movie worked. Who would of ever thought of making a farce out of something so mundane as a hitman going through a midlife crisis? John Cusack's quirky persona really makes Grosse Pointe Blank, well, Grosse Pointe Blank. On top of that, the ten year high school reunion adds yet another intricate twist in the storyline. I felt as though I had stepped into a time portal that took me back to the era of materialims, The Clash/punk rock, Sixteen Candles, side ponny tails and leg warmers, as with other fashion mishaps. The dailogue, as funny as it is, really makes you think -which isn't always the easiest thing to do in a film. For example, one of my favorie lines is when Debi questions: "Where are all the good men dead, in the heart or in the head?" Let's just say, I ask myself the same thing... Buy Grosse Pointe Blank at Amazon.com Buy posters at Allposters.com Jamster - the latest ringtones for your phone!  Search with Walhello on the Internet on Grosse Pointe Blank Search with the Priority Search Engine on Grosse Pointe Blank This page in other languages: Suomeksi | Nederlands | Deutsch
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