Rent Grosse Pointe Blank (1997)
3.9 of 5 from 225 ratings
1h 43min
- General info
- Available formats
- Synopsis:
- Unlike his High School friends who become respected professionals, Martin Blank (John Cusack) found a lucrative career as a hit man.But the job has lost its appeal and Martin faces an uncertain future. Now, he finds himself back in his home town of Grosse Pointe to attend his ten-year High School reunion complete one last job and take another shot at rekindling a romance with the girl he stood up on prom night (Minnie Driver). With Dan Aykroyd as a hilarious rival assassin who wants Martin to join a union, 'Grosse Pointe Blank' is a killer comedy loaded with action and laughs.
- Actors:
- John Cusack, Minnie Driver, Dan Aykroyd, Alan Arkin, Joan Cusack, Hank Azaria, K. Todd Freeman, Jeremy Piven, Mitchell Ryan, Michael Cudlitz, Benny Urquidez, Duffy Taylor, Audrey Kissel, Carlos Jacott, Brian Powell, Ann Cusack, D.V. DeVincentis, Barbara Harris, Wendy Thorlakson, Belita Moreno
- Directors:
- George Armitage
- Producers:
- Susan Arnold, Roger Birnbaum, Donna Roth
- Writers:
- Tom Jankiewicz, D.V. DeVincentis, Steve Pink, John Cusack
- Studio:
- Buena Vista
- Genres:
- Comedy, Romance
- Collections:
- Remembering Alan Arkin, Top 10 Films About Radio: Rock to Rap
- BBFC:
- Release Date:
- 02/11/2015
- Run Time:
- 108 minutes
- Languages:
- Brazilian Portuguese Dolby Digital 2.0, Canadian French Dolby Digital 2.0, English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, Latin American Spanish Dolby Digital 2.0
- Subtitles:
- Brazilian, Canadian French, English Hard of Hearing, Latin American Spanish
- Formats:
- Pal
- Aspect Ratio:
- Widescreen 1.85:1
- Colour:
- Colour
- BLU-RAY Regions:
- (0) All
- Bonus:
- Theatrical Trailer
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Reviews (8) of Grosse Pointe Blank
Best moive of 1997 - Grosse Pointe Blank review by CP Customer
The summer of 1997 was a poor time for good movies.
Big budget offerings such as The Lost World and Batman and Robin underlined the fact that very few sequels can make the grade. Hollywood was beginning to realise that the public were tiring of formulaic pictures. We wanted a fresh spin on things or would vote with our feet and stay at home.
Thankfully, there was a little film that came from nowhere and not only became one of the best movies of the year but also the decade.
Grosse Pointe Blank is a jet black comedy co-written by and starring arguably the coollest actor/director and producer in Hollywood right now - John Cusack.
He plays assassin Martin Q Blank, a successful yuppie killer who seems to have it all - except security, a wife and kids and the trust of the girl he left behind.
However, when his secretary (Joan Cusack, sister of John) persuades him to go to his high school reunion, things get complicated. Especially as he has a fellow assassin on his tail and the girlfriend who he dumped a decade earlier.
It cost a mere $15million to make and grossed over $28million in the States alone making star and director, George Armitage, rather popular with the studios. But financial success aside, it's also one of the most intelligent and witty comedy thrillers to come out of Hollywood in some time.
This is still the best film of Cusack's Nineties offerings, boasting a natural performance from Minnie Driver (complete with word-perfect American accent) and an hilarious turn from Alan Arkin as Blank's shrink. If you had to break it down to basics, imagine a grown-up Ferris Bueller's Day Off directed by John Woo. Thrown into the mix is a great Eighties soundtrack and a fine score by The Clash's Joe Strummer.
I know what you're thinking: What's bad about it?
Well, very little. Even the often tiresome Dan Aykroyd is on top form, giving one of his best turns since Sneakers in 1992. The second act is a little too talky and Blank's estate agent friend, Jeremy Piven, is a bit of a pain as he renews his friendship with Martin, but why carp?
Personally, this is one of those movies I can watch every six months without getting bored. The dialogue is quick-fire and there's enough action to keep the Die Hard crowd happy, with several scenes you can't afford to miss:
Blank's shootout in a convenience store, set to The Ace of Spades; a stunning kickboxing scene with Mirror in the Bathroom punctuating the drama, while the finale ties things up without resorting to the usual Hollywood formula of a finale with three endings.
The best lines? So many it's hard to choose, but among the finest are from Cusack: "Thousands of innocent people die every day. Detonate one rich guy's dog, and you're a marked man for life."
Another great piece of small talk comes as our protagonist is preparing for the high school reunion.
"I killed the President of Paraguay with a fork. How have you been?"
3 out of 4 members found this review helpful.
Gosse Pointe Blank - Grosse Pointe Blank review by DS
Excellent black comedy - similar to "In Bruges"
The entire cast is superb (especially John Cusack) as is the direction
Stunning soundtrack from Joe Strummer
Hasn't dated at all probably due to the "80s" theme but made at the end of the 90s.
1 out of 1 members found this review helpful.
Great film - Grosse Pointe Blank review by CP Customer
Fantastic movie , great action and John Cusack's character really makes it !
I bought it recently after renting it and have so far watched it more than 15 times .... still never looses it
1 out of 1 members found this review helpful.