Between the Pandemic and the Protests, we've all had plenty of time lately to reminisce, and take a look back at a time when people, movies, and the stars that made them weren't as concerned with making political statements, as they were with simply being entertained and making fun and quirky movies that entertained those that consumed their product.
John Cusack KILLS it as Martin Blank, a government trained hitman, turned successful elimination entrepreneur, who 10 years out of High School, is suffering an existential crisis of sorts, and, as a result of the stars, Gods, or cosmic realignment, ends up back in his home town, on the eve of his High School reunion, looking up the girl he left behind, and reevaluating his life choices.
(Dark Theory / Side Bar: When he sees his old HS Teacher, you glean from the conversation that Martin was very intelligent, and everyone thought he would go far, yet, when he later explained why he abruptly fled just before the prom, he explained that he "realized he wanted to KILL "somebody" , and when he abruptly left and joined the Army, his intake Psych Eval noted he had a penchant for moral ambiguity, thus leading to his current occupation. In other words, if he wouldn't have left, Martin may have become a school or other "active shooter". Just a theory of course.)
Minnie Driver, who in the same year would also shine in "Good Will Hunting", is, as has been noted, "smokin' hot" as Debi, the girl Martin ditched waiting for him to take her to the prom. Their chemistry is a delight to watch, as the sparks reignite the embers that each of the have carried through the years, yet, are hesitant to rekindle.
Dan Aykroyd is, well, Dan Ackroyd, playing a rival operator who wants to unionize, IMO more to eliminate the competition rather than improve working conditions. And, Joan Cusack is perfect as Martins abrasively quirky secretary / personal assistant, who books the jobs and buys the bullets as well. Alan Arkin is a hoot as the put upon therapist, who DOESN'T want Martin for a client, but is too afraid of the consequences to refuse his visits and calls. And lastly of note is Jeremy Piven, doing a low key Ari Gold as Martins BFF from high school, who proves true the adage that, "a good friend will help you move, but a really GREAT friend will help you move a BODY".
Fun and well worth the watch, or, re-watch, as it still holds up well, and it features a soundtrack that will bring back memories.
A classic, packs a punch and great music.
Much funnier than I'd remembered, this twisting tale of competing hitmen and their uncharacteristically jovial attempts to rid the world of one other also finds the time to address the loss of innocence, the reflections of a milestone high school reunion and the baggage of leading a necessarily isolated lifestyle.
John Cusack is fantastic as the acidic, sarcastic prodigal son, returning to his home town on business while also giving serious thought to abandoning his violent ways for good. Great supporting work helps that role to flower even further, especially in the forms of his grinning, kill-happy competition, (a joyously nasty dark turn by Dan Aykroyd) the jilted love interest he left high and dry ten years back (Minnie Driver at her most smokin') and his flippant, hard-nosed assistant (Joan Cusack).
One of the greatest soundtracks ever, plus work on the original score by former Clash frontman Joe Strummer, takes this whole package over the top. Strongly recommended.
This is got to be my favourite John Cusack film out of all I've watched so far, great soundtrack, cool sense of humor, good performance from john, played his role well and loved the plot and some fun action. All around good classic.
The movie is good, but the romance ruined the whole vibe.
I feel like I just didn't get this movie. While I can appreciate every part of this individually, there's something about the scatterbrained tone of this movie that refuses to come together in my head. The soundtrack, the Cusack/Driver chemistry, the cuttingly real subject matter, veiled jabs at modern working life; it's all there, the delivery just didn't land. Even as I type this, individual jokes and scenes jump out at me and make me laugh after-the-fact, but while watching it just didn't connect. Maybe it's one worth a rewatch.
This would have been so much better without the reunion nonsense.
Basque from the Pyrenees, what is this non sense?
Review by DeletedBlockedParent2014-03-21T22:36:22Z
Oh I loved this! Grosse Pointe Blank is absolutely wonderful! The perfect blend of fun, action and romance. It's very clever and has an amazing 80's soundtrack!
Martin Blank is a professional killer that doesn't enjoy his job anymore. He decided to go back to his hometown in Grosse Pointe in Michigan for his last job and also for his 10th year High School reunion.
There he tries to find the meaning of his future life, seeing how all of his old friends are now and he also get reunited with the girl of his dreams, the girl he dumped on prom night, the night he disappeared from town and never came back until now. He never forgot her but will she forgive him?
This story is definitely funny to watch, and a story is always important but was an amazing cast that turned this film into something pretty interesting and fun to watch!
John Cusack and Minnie Driver were great and had a great chemistry together! All of the supporting roles are so funny! Particularly Joan Cusack, Dan Ackroyd and Alan Arkin.
If you wanna have a great time and be amused this is the right film to pick!