User Reviews

Much funnier than I'd remembered, this twisting tale of competing hitmen and their uncharacteristically jovial attempts to rid the world of each other also finds the time to address the loss of innocence, the reflections of a milestone high school reunion and the baggage of leading an essentially isolated lifestyle. John Cusack is fantastic as the acidic, sarcastic prodigal son, returning to his hometown on business while also giving serious thought to permanently abandoning his violent ways. He gets some great supporting help, especially in the form 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.

A black comedy that takes a different look at the life of a hitman, but it doesn't quite pull all the parts together to push through to the next level. Solid enough.

Grosse Pointe Blank is that type of action comedy film that never takes it self too seriously, almost to a fault. However, John Cusack always finds a way to feel endlessly relatable, especially here in a film about a hitman returning home to go to his 10-year high school reunion. As someone who is nearly halfway there on that front, there is a terrifying idea made even more awkward by him being a contract killer. The film is unapologetically fun and really plants a smile on your face from beginning to end. Even more, it does a great job humanizing hitmen while taking a comedic approach to both that subject and returning home after many years. That said, the plot can be a little convenient and unfulfilling, namely in the sense that they keep emphasizing one point and then it is rectified in two seconds. The film's romantic element is also not given enough depth or room to breath. It feels like a very cliche movie romance. The film's incessant cleverness and unique take feels super Pulp Fiction (helped by the cardboard cutout of it during a shootout) and it feels like the kind of film made in the aftermath of it that thought, "Oh wow that looked fun, let's do it again". While still a fun movie, the incessant cleverness and alleged contemplation on the part of our protagonist can be a little much at times. However, that being said, it is a very well acted and well-written flick that entertains in spades while also providing an interesting look at someone returning home after many years.

A predictable, run-of-the-mill action movie, Grosse Pointe Blank uses its main character's likability as well as some very dark comedy to grip the audience, and it works for the most part. For a Saturday night movie, it'll do.

Gross Pointe Blank: 8 out of 10: This movie is full of small miracles. For one thing, Dan Ackroyd is funny. Let that sink in a bit. When was the last time Dan Ackroyd made you laugh? Now I confess I am the perfect target market for this movie. I am in the age range where I think the soundtrack is cool and the eighties were a pretty good time. Nowadays of course many people look back on the eighties with rose-colored glasses. Back when teens could be teens without ending up on MSNBC. Back before cell phones let parents track our movements and school security consisted of a bald vice principle with an attitude problem. The movie is well cast with John Cusack as a professional hit man going to his 10 year high school reunion and Minnie Driver as the girl he left behind. A great supporting cast includes Alan Arkin as a therapist unhappy with a killer for a client (Years before the Sopranos or Analyze This) . The aforementioned Dan Aykroyd as a competing hit man and Joan Cusack as the secretary that both cares and is insane. The story is very silly and over the top, yet Gross Pointe Blank somehow manages to keep the tone just right throughout the proceedings. Existential silliness adds to the fun rather than distracts. Moreover, did I mention a really good soundtrack.

Grosse Pointe Blank is a cool action comedy with John Cusack. The movie has a talented cast and the movie is dissimilar from typical action comedies. The movie is hilarious and the screenplay is original material.

To make a film that can be both painfully brutal and extremely funny is impressive if you pull it off but unbearable if they don't. Luckily Grosse Pointe Black is hilarious with a talented cast able to handle the darker elements because believe me, the film is quite dark. The film follows Martin Blank (John Cusack) a professional killer who decides to attend his high school reunion and do a job while he is there. He also hopes to reunite with his ex girlfriend Debbie (Minnie Driver) who he hasn't seen since prom night. Unfortunately for him, several other assassins have followed him to town in hopes of killing him. Cusack is fantastic in him role as he has a sharp tongue and wonderful comic timing, but he also has a menace to his look that makes him convincing. Driver is charming and makes a great lead while being able to shine beside Cusack. It's a real treat of a film with a nice script, an eclectic soundtrack some wonderful performances and some of the most unique deaths ever committed to film.