Product Description

Here's the killer comedy hit that's loaded with outrageous fun! For Martin Blank (John Cusack -- HIGH FIDELITY, SERENDIPITY), a hit man stuck in a career rut, attending his 10-year high school reunion is about the last thing he's in the mood for! But when the prospects of rekindling an old flame (Minnie Driver -- GOOD WILL HUNTING) and pulling off one final job convince him to go, things are looking up ... that is, until Martin's arch rival (Dan Aykroyd) shows up aiming to blow the competition away! For hilarious comedy entertainment that's packed with action, GROSSE POINTE BLANK is a surefire knockout!

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2092 in DVD
• Brand: CUSAK,JOHN
• Released on: 1998-05-19
• Rating: R (Restricted)
• Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
• Formats: Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DVD, Letterboxed, Widescreen, NTSC
• Original language: English, French
• Subtitled in: Spanish
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 107 minutes

Amazon.com
Hit man Martin Q. Blank (John Cusack) is in an awkward situation. Several of them, actually. He's attending his high school reunion on an assignment; he's got a rival hit man (Dan Aykroyd) on his tail; and he's going to have to explain to his old girlfriend (Minnie Driver) why he stood her up on prom night. This amiable black comedy, cowritten by Cusack and directed by Jonathan Demme protégé George Armitage (Miami Blues), has the feel of Demme's Something Wild and Married to the Mob--which is to say its humor is dark and brightly colored at the same time. Cusack and Driver are utterly charming--as is the leading man's sister, Joan, who plays his secretary. (Ms. Cusack received an Oscar nomination for her next role, in In & Out.) Alan Arkin is also very funny as Martin's psychiatrist. --Jim Emerson

Customer Reviews

John Cusack's Best
I first saw this during it's initial VHS release. The story is of Martin Blank, a professional Los Angeles hit man who is drawn back to his rural hometown to both attend his high school reunion and take on a contract to whack a guy.

One of the most well-written scripts of the 90's, in my opinion, doesn't work without John Cusack being cast as Martin Blank. He sold the role perfectly, and shines throughout the film, alongside a witty, phenomenal supporting cast of Minnie Driver, Jeremy Piven, Dan Akroyd and Joan Cusack.

Often mistaken as completely morbid, the film takes on not only a tone of humor, but that of vengance and morality. You must see this film.

The DVD, on the other end, [stinks]. Yet another incredible film thrown out there on DVD with a poor transfer and a trailer for an extra. The film sounds fanastic though, and scenes such as the Akroyd/Cusack gunfight and the destruction of the mini-mart can be greatly enjoyed with a good surround sound setup.

Great Movie, terrible DVD
Grosse Pointe Blank is an unusual movie. A professional hitman returns to his hometown to "do a job" and, while he's there, attend his 10 year highschool reunion. John Cusack plays the role well, charming and remarkably likeable, despite his profession. This "dark comedy" is very clever, and I rate it as one my favorite 90's films.

Too bad the DVD isn't up to par. It has next to zero extras. But even that could be passable if the picture was good. First of all, the movie is non-anamorphic. That doesn't make a difference unless you have a 16x9 television, it'll look the same on a regular tv, it's just a pet peeve of mine. But, the transfer we did get is just pathetic; it looks like a (bad) laser disc transfer. The picture is grainy, and there are some definite compression artifacts to been seen.

Bottom line: this DVD is worth buying for the movie, no doubt... and since this is the only version available, it's this or nothing. Just don't expect a really terrific picture.

john cusack's perfect riff
Having seen quite a few of John Cusack's movies, I think this one hits exactly the right tone. He often plays lovable loners or losers who somehow manage to get the girl. In this film, he is the ultimate loner, a professional hitman, with very little to brag about at his 10-year high school reunion. He can't even figure out what to tell people who ask him where he's been for the past 10 years, so he tells them the truth, but nobody believes him.

Cusack's character, Martin Blank, is filled with angst, and trying to work this out in therapy. Unfortunately, his therapist (brilliantly underplayed by Alan Arkin), doesn't want to talk to him ever since Blank told the good doctor what he does for a living. The interaction between Cusack and Arkin in this film is much funnier and more real than the Billy Crystal/Robert DeNiro shtick in "Analyze This."

The heart of the film is the relationship between Blank and his high school sweetheart (Minnie Driver), whom he stood up on prom night 10 years before and never contacted again. Blank is emotionally repressed and morally confused (which is why he is well-suited to be a hitman) but Driver is still crazy about him, not believing his statement about his chosen profession. She has some huge trust issues though, what with being stood up on prom night, and all. She is somewhat willing to give him another chance. The playfulness of their interaction is charming, especially when it's tinged with irony and distrust. She doesn't want to have sex with him right away, but she would like an "airplane." (he holds her up with his feet while she pretends to fly)

The climatic scene, where Blank declares his love for Driver, acknowledges his own considerable shortcomings, and promises to change, meanwhile engaging in a gripping, over-the-top shootout with the bad guys, is absolutely perfect for what Cusack's character is about: he can't express himself unless he's pumped full of adrenaline in a battle to the death, but he doesn't want to stay trapped in this way of life.

All of the actors are wonderful, especially Joan Cusack as John's office manager and the person who needles him into going to his reunion and rejoining the human race. Dan Akyroyd is also a hoot.

Everything works in this movie. It's a black comedy/screwball romance/action flick with subtle, clever dialogue, cool music and beautiful scenery. It is completely irreverent, but hopeful and life-affirming, as well.