Grosse Pointe Blank

Rating:
Summary: Probably Cusack's Best Film
Review: This is, for me anyway, the best film Cusack has done. It's filled with a certain realism that you don't find in many films. This is odd because the film is primarily a comedy. Black comedy, mind you, but comedy nonetheless.

Background - Martin Blank (Cusack) is a contract hit-man ten years after his high school graduation. He's lost his taste for 'the business' and wants out. He received an invite to his high school reunion but doesn't initially want to attend. Almost simultaneously, he gets a contract to take out someone in his home town. He decides to kill two birds with one stone and do both. Little does he know that a contract has been put out on him as well.

Story - Blank freaked out at the end of high school and joined the army where he learned to kill. He was loaned out to the CIA where he served as a hit-man before going solo. After ten years of the stuff, he's had his fill and wants out. A fellow hit-man (Dan Aykroyd) Grosser, wants to form a 'Hit-man union' of sorts. Blank declines, so Grosser puts a contract out on him. The film follows Blank as he seeks out his high school sweetheart, avoids assassination attempts, and tries to complete his last hit, which has an interesting twist.

Why I like this film - The conversations Cusack has with the other characters, as well as with himself, are priceless. The dialog is disjointed, much like a real conversation you might have.

Another thing that I liked was the realism of the fight scenes. I'm tired of watching movie fights where the hero and villains trade punches to the face, and neither of them have any blood on them. In one scene in particular, the fight lasts all of a minute (pretty real for a streetfight) and both characters as bloodies and sweating profusely. Very realistic, indeed.

This film is not for people who don't like action, as it's filled with it. Younger children probably shouldn't watch it either because of the excessive violence. Fans of Cusack should like it, as it's filled with intelligent humor.

Rating:
Summary: Reunion phobiacs unite, utterly hilarious!
Review: 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!

Rating:
Summary: Grosse Pointe Blank
Review: Grosse Point Blank, starring John Cusack and Minnie Driver, was quite enjoyable. It focused on a professional hit man (Martin Blank, played by John Cusack) with the gruesome task of completing his next mission in his hometown of Grosse Point, Michigan, to which he relunctantly accepts. He returns to Grosse Point on the weekend of his High School reunion. When he returns to Grosse Point, he finds his former girlfriend Debbie, who he abandoned on prom night. While in Grosse Point, he is also on the run from an angry associate's henchmen. This was a very funny dark comedy with a few slightly violent scences and a moderate amount of profanities. I would recommend this movie to many.

Rating:
Summary: Am I the only person who does this?
Review: I like to pretend that this is the unofficial sequel to Say Anything. I mean John coulda run off and joined the military and become a hitman and all that. It would be cool, and it's obvious he still knows kick boxing.
Also, one of the other reviewers said that Dan Akroyd was just playing himself. I seriously doubt that Dan Akroyd is a homocidal maniac, control freak hitman in real life, but who knows? I always thought he was a little shifty in Driving Ms. Daisy.

Rating:
Summary: Hilarious Stylish Satire
Review: Grosse Point Blank is a must for anyone into alternative stylish witty satire. John Cusack (Blank) is a hitman back for his 10th high school reunion and to reunite with Minnie Driver, the girl he deserted. Alan Arkin is has a role as Blank's therapist. This is chock full of off-the-wall humor that take Tarantino's over-the-top methods to the next level.
Dan Akroyd also lends his high-level comic skill as Blank's rival, waiting for him to get his next target, so Akroyd can get him.

Rating:
Summary: Could be Grosse to a Pointe
Review: A hit man is getting tiered of his job and intends to retire. In the mean time his last job just happens to coincide with his high school reunion. The local radio announcer is his snubbed girlfriend of how he may have trouble explaining his disappearance and subsequent life. In the mean time he is haunted by the FBI, old assassins, and a rival organization that wants to absorb him.

The first thing that I notice right off with this movie is all the great music in the background. It all seems relevant to the action at the moment. I really liked the driving scenes while playing "Blister in the Sun." I liked the music so much that I bought the two soundtracks. It turns out that I just liked the parts of the songs that are in the movie. However I do not like the complete songs that where on the sound track.

Dan Aykroyd was just playing himself. He is a rival organization and always trying to recruit John Cusack. Their negotiations took on a life of their own. There are many twists and turns.
Will the good guys win?
Who are the good guys?
Are there good guys?
Watch the movie again as it only gets better.


Rating:
Summary: Bullseye humor
Review: Martin Blank is a hitman in the dumps. He's not having much success in his work recently. His rival, Grocer, is trying to get him to join his union for hitmen, but Martin enjoys being an outsider. Out of the blue, he receives an invitation to his 10-year high school reunion. On the advice of his secretary and his psychiatrist, he decides to go. He has business in the neighborhood anyway. Once he gets back, he tries to reconnect with his past life, including meeting his old flame.

This is definitely a black comedy. The laughs come between fierce gun battles and bloody hand-to-hand combat. John Cusack is perfect as the conflicted Martin Blank. He has just the right balance of craziness and sweetness to make this movie work. Minnie Driver also does a good job as Martin's love interest. Will she take Martin back? Will Martin go over the edge? Watch this great dark comedy and find out.

Rating:
Summary: Yeah, it's point blank gross in parts
Review: The main feature of this movie--depending on your point of view--is John Cusack, who looks like he's having a lot of fun in a quirky story quirkily done. Fans will probably find his portrayal of a whimsical professional hit man a nice departure for the accomplished and sensitive actor.

I would too except I just couldn't get over the disconnect between the sweet personality and the amoral nature of his character. Of course this is a comedy, indeed a satire and burlesque of hit man films with shootouts (two guns ablazing) and car chases aplenty.

There is also a romance between ex-highschool sweethearts Martin Q. Blank (Cusack) and Debi Newberry (Minnie Driver), and they seem nicely paired. The story is framed around Blank's disappearance on prom night ten years previous and his sudden and unexpected return on the eve of his ten-year class reunion at Grosse Pointe (Michigan) High School. His "profession" is so unlikely that he can be candid about it and nobody will believe him. "I'm a professional killer." "Nice. I'm glad that's working out for you." (Okay, I made up that dialogue, but it's close to what's really said.)

Dan Aykroyd gives comedic support in an over-the-top portrayal of a rival hit man always making with the jokes even as the bullets fly. Funny too with a lot of original shtick is John Cusack's sister, Joan Cusack, as the hit man's strange but conscientious secretary, Marcella. Alan Arkin has a modest part as Dr. Oatman, Blank's frightened shrink--frightened because he knows what Blank does for a living.

Bottom line: a bonafide cult classic with repeat viewing appeal that may not work for all audiences.

Rating:
Summary: Reunion phobiacs unite, utterly hilarious!
Review: 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!