Movies & Music Reviews
GROSSE POINTE BLANK
2010-02-23 16:19:42 Posted By: Lois - Branches
Grosse Pointe Blank, 1997, Hollywood Pictures Home Video, Rated R, 107 minutes, directed by George Armitage.
Grosse Pointe Blank is the story of professional hit man Martin Blank (John Cusack), his 10 year high school reunion, and the girlfriend he left behind. This film is much more of a comedy than Red Rock West, but still suspenseful and action-driven. As we meet Martin, he is at a crossroads in his life, worried about his career path and the girlfriend he deserted on prom night but dreams about every night now. Martin shares his anxiety with his pyschiatrist, Dr. Oatman, wonderfully portrayed by a twitchy Alan Arkin. When Dr. Oatman questions the morality of Martin's work, Martin replies, "Chances are, if I show up at your door, you did something to bring me there." When Martin worries about whether to attend his reunion and try to get back together with Debi (Minnie Driver), Oatman advises, "Go. Get out of town. Don't kill anyone for a few days. See how it feels." Conveniently, Martin's office manager, Marcella, played with zest by Joan Cusack, books a hit for him in Detroit on the same weekend as the reunion for Grosse Pointe High School. Of course Martin takes Debi to the reunion, and when his old friends ask him what he does now, he tells each one he is a hit man. No one believes him; they all think he is joking, until the scene at the locker. There are good turns by Hank Azaria, Kenneth McCullers, Mitch Ryan, and Jenna Elfman. This is dark comedy for Cusack fans, and anyone who worries about high school reunions, or whether you can go home again. My favorite scene takes place at the Ultimart when two hit men collide. Watch for the store attendant who is playing the video game.
