Grosse Pointe Blank

This movie

*** updated 2/7/15: now out on blurary, the transfer is great and worth buying even if you already own the DVD. Still, no bonus features of any kind to speak of ***Original review: GREAT movie badly needing a HD upgrade considering how poor the standard DVD looks on big TVs.A black comedy about an ex-CIA, now hitman for hire is a perfect vehicle to showcase Cusack's talents. The world is changing, and as Martin Blank will tell you, countries no longer matter and people are just as likely to be killed over soda pop formulas than political ideology. Martin tries to rationalize the "moral flexibility" that he sees going on in the world, where market-driven globalization means more than patriotism to one's own country, by saying he at least has SOME scruples (for example, he won't take out a hit on a Greenpeace activist).But only 10 year removed from high school, he's not entirely OK with his new profession. Some of the funnier side stories involve trips to his psychiatrist (Alan Arkin), who wants to drop him for a client. Blank won't let him, and dryly points out some logical reasons he should be treated, but then also casually states "and of course, I know where you live".When Martin goes back home to Michigan for his 10 year High School reunion he has to face several people who have no idea what he does for a living, including old parents, old teachers, old friends, and old flames. Even when he tells the truth no one takes him seriously, including his buddy played by Jeremy Piven, in what many consider to be his break out role. Minnie Driver does an adequate job as the girl he jilted on prom-night to join the army, but there are a couple of forced scenes added to the movie for "date night" appeal where she is made to look fawningly at Martin that should have been left on the cutting room floor. Overall though, this is really a great supporting cast, with Hank Azaria and even Cusack's own sister as his deranged secretary who has a great scene arguing over a misplaced bullet order.Much of the dialogue comes forth in a fast, rapid style that seems like he's exchanging gunfire in a high stakes shootout rather than talking. This is especially true when he deals with Dan Akroyd's character, who plays a rival hitman bent on trying to unionize all assassins. "Workers of the world unite!" "Will there be meetings?", Martin asks. "Of course!" Akroyd exclaims as the two continue to circle each other and mentally measure for body bags. Akroyd talks even faster than Cusack, and when the two of them get going the one liners come faster than you can process them. At one point he tells Blank to "Cut the string Chatty Cathy". When overdone it can get annoying, but for the most part is balances right.Michiganders will especially like the movie, stocked with Detroit landmarks and Red Wings jerseys even though most of it was shot in Chicago and not Grosse Pointe. When he goes to visit his old childhood home and discovers it had been turned into a Ultie-Mart, local brands of Stroh's beer and Faygo pop are quickly shot up. Not sure if these were just product placements, a serious attempt to sell the geography, or a clever way to again showcase Martin's notion that the "McDonaldization" of the world is destroying a sense of place. They say you can't go back home, but you can make a fresh start in life and make a very funny and entertaining movie along the way. And afterall, who doesn't want to kill a bad ass Czech assassin in front of your old highschool locker with the help of a yearbook signing pen?

I am the Inimitable Idiot and already have this in my collection. HOWEVER! This should hint to you of how GREAT a movie it is. Buy it! You will not be disappointed! Enjoy.

Grosse Pointe Blank is one of John Cusack's more underappreciated film efforts. He plays Martin Blank, a dispirited, disillusioned hired assassin who returns to his hometown for his ten-year reunion, and to reconnect with the girl he left behind. Despite the fact that he wants out of the "kill-for-pay" game, others are not so keen to see him exit the scene. Two teams follow Martin to the reunion, where, inevitably, things go wildly awry.Minnie Driver is excellent as the lovelorn, abandoned girlfriend, while Dan Ackroyd steals the show as a lunatic assassin who wants Martin to join the fledgling organization he's attempting to create. For lovers of quirky scripts and unexpected turns, Grosse Pointe Blank is the film to see.

This movie is an all-time favorite of mine. Quirky, fun, action, adventure, great characters. An action packed love story that isn't gooey or gory and stands the test of time. If you're a Cusack fan, it's a must!

We will watch this one again!

Product arrived in great/working condition.

John Cusack's one of those actors whose political opinions and forays into infringements on my rights I tend to blow off so long as he produces/acts in roles as good as these.I delayed my entry into college by joining the Army a year out of high school - college funding wasn't available - and despite earning an associate's degree at night school and some university-level study while overseas, I started college full-time right around the time this movie's class would have graduated HS. The music, the characterizations, the situational humor I found funny down to my core. Been there done that. My ten year reunion found me starting my junior year of college while the people I went to HS with were being offered partnerships in law firms, starting as new cardiothoracic surgeons and ER docs (yeah, it takes ten years of college/med school/residency to get there and I"m not someone who believes health care is a "right" for aforementioned duration and devotion of/to training, no moreso than car care, legal care, or plumbing care is a "right"), but I digress.Anyone who attended college in the 80s, pretty much anyone who ever graduated high school, and/or went to their ten year reunion should watch this film. It has a lot going for it.- the nerds.- the cheerleader(s)- the "I don't know what I'm going to do with my life" moody character (Cusack)- global politics- kick boxing- the hometown girland just a lot of good, twisted fun.I've watched this at least a dozen times over the years since it was released, and have given copies to my two - remaining - friends from HS.I've seen the sequel. Don't waste your time unless you've still got a bug up your a** about Haliburton but a president who lavishes billions on known terrorist organizations and "clean energy" cronies and has a kill list (disposition matrix) doesn't bother you, then you'll love it.

It had been about 20 years since I last saw Grosse Pointe Blank; so I picked up a DVD of it wondering how it might hold up after almost quarter of a century, and I am pleased to say that it has aged wonderfully. This film, in my opinion, is a lost classic. It is funny; clever and original, and still, sadly, a rather overlooked film.For years I have been hoping for a special edition DVD/Blu-Ray to be issued, but that still hasn't happened which is a shame, as I think it deserves as much. Now come on Criterion: do the decent thing and show Grosse Pointe Blank the love it is worthy of.

As soon as I saw this film, it immediately became one of my all-time favourites. What a wonderful idea! A hitman goes to his high school reunion and reconnects with his childhood sweetheart,, who just happens to be a radio DJ playing one of the hippest soundtracks ever. All the cast are at the very top of their game, and have never been better: John Cusack as the hitman in an existential crisis; Minnie Driver as his long-lost love with a nice line in crackling dialogue; and Dan Aykroyd as Grocer, a rival with a preposterous agenda - a trade union for hitmen (join it or die). There are some wonderful set pieces - amongst them a shoot-out in a convenience store, with the counter assistant completely oblivious as he's playing a noisy video game; and the hitmen breakfasting together in a diner, guns cocked under the table..Of course there are plenty of bodies to be disposed of, in this blackest of black comedies. But it's all great fun.

Conflicted assassin with issues and a psychoanalyst who's petrified of him and wants him to go away is trying to avoid joining a newly formed killers cooperative. To confuse matters further he gets an invitation to his old alma maters college reunion and his assistant thinks he should go.Loads of action, musical nostalgia and a reignited romance despite the girl in questions father being his latest target.To be honest it's completely insane and it shouldn't work but somehow it does. Nuts but wonderful.

The only thing wrong with this is the lack of any extras on the DVD, but I actually don't care as this is one of the smartest, cleverest, wittiest and funniest films I have ever seen. John Cusack is a master of black comedy and fork assassination and his sister Joan as his secretary/handler is a ditzy but deadly joy to watch. I can't recommend this movie highly enough, and it also boasts one of the coolest soundtracks courtesy of Joe Strummer and bands such as The Specials, The Clash and The Pixies. Just go and watch it, you will love yourself for it.......

I loved the movie, and thought the acting was as witty and well paced as the script. Jeremy Piven is wonderful as is the hitman pursuing Martin because of ... I wont spoil it for you. A highlight for me: the security guard whose 2 week training gave him permission to shoot on sight.The soundtrack is very British punk and ska and recalls good times; however it does not repay a good stereo as the reproduction could have been far better. I cant see a teenager listening to The Clash, and then waiting for Blank in an $800 prom dress, but with the right soundtrack you would get "When Peggy Sue Got married" - a very different High School reunion, but same disappointed prom queen, but here she got the man.Thankfully Minnie Driver's part is just one of his relationships explored in the movie.