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Amazon.co.uk Review
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. Grosse Pointe Blank is an 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 humour is dark and brightly coloured at the same time. Cusack and Driver are utterly charming--as is the leading man's sister, Joan, who plays his secretary. (Cusack received an Oscar nomination for her next role, in In & Out.) Alan Arkin is also very funny as Martin's psychiatrist. --Jim Emerson
DVD Description
Special Features: none
Languages in Dolby Digital 5.1 : English, French
Languages in Dolby Surround 3.0 : Italian
Subtitles: Dutch, Portuguese, English/English for the Hearing Impaired
Widescreen 1.85:1
Languages in Dolby Digital 5.1 : English, French
Languages in Dolby Surround 3.0 : Italian
Subtitles: Dutch, Portuguese, English/English for the Hearing Impaired
Widescreen 1.85:1
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
25 of 25 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
OK, so it's the tale of a hitman headed back to his high school reunion, and the body count is pretty high. But bizarrely, this is still an incredibly funny and likeable film. Much of the credit for that goes to John Cusack, who turns in a performance of pure John Cusack, which is to say his character Martin Blank is full of the self-doubt, insecurity and self-deprecation he brings to every role. There are many wonderfully constructed scenes in this film too (check out Cusack's nervy, trigger-happy breakfast meeting with rival hit man Dan Akroyd), and the running gag of Cusack telling everyone what he does for a living never tires. It's a superb supporting cast too, with Joan Cusack turning in a typically excellent performance as Martin's secretary, Minnie Driver providing necessary contrast as the very normal girl Martin stood up the night he disappeared, and of course Akroyd as the annoying would-be unioniser of hitmen. It all adds up to one of the most original films you'll ever see. I've recommended this to countless people, and they were all knocked out by it. I defy you not to love it too.
17 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This is an offbeat, black comedy about a hit man, Martin Blank (John Cusack), who is undergoing some personal angst about his career choice. He sees a psychiatrist, Dr. Oatman (Alan Arkin), who, once he becomes aware of his patient's profession, wants nothing more to do with him. Moreover, a most unlikely, rival hit man (Dan Ackroyd) is on his tail, looking to clear the field of a potential rival.
What's a conflicted hit man to do? Why go to his tenth year high school reunion in Grosse Pointe, Michigan, of course. There, "Marty" plans to do his final hit and hook up with his high school sweetheart, Debi Newberry (Minnie Driver), whom he unceremoniously stood up on prom night, ten years earlier. Once he gets there, however, things do not go according to plan, and "Marty" is in store for a few surprises.
John Cusack is terrific as the hit man, playing him with just the right blend of sangfroid cool and, at other times, with all the charm of the boy next door. Dan Ackroyd is funny as the unlikely rival hit man. Alan Arkin is excellent as the shrink who does not want "Marty" as his patient. Minnie Driver is the least compelling of those cast in this film, as she adds very little to its success. Joan Cusack, John Cusack's real life sibling, more than makes up for the gap left by Driver, however, as she infuses the role of Marcella, "Marty's" gal friday, with enough pizazz to shore up the film.
All in all, this is a surprisingly entertaining film. Unfortunately, this DVD offers next to nothing by way of special features, and the DVD cover art is cheap and cheesy looking and strictly from hunger. Do not, however, let this deter you from buying this funny and unusual film.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
Well, what can i say? Very rarely can a film of this consistent quality be found. Right from the very start this will have you captivated. It has one of the most original, witty scripts I’ve ever seen with some incredibly dark and intelligent comedy thrown in for good effect.
Everything about this film shines, from the perfectly set soundtrack to the brilliant directing and filming.
Everything about this film shines, from the perfectly set soundtrack to the brilliant directing and filming.
Please, if there is one film you watch all year, make it Grosse Pointe Blank.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Great film, lousy cover!
A film I have loved since I first happened on it some years ago, 'Quirky black comedy' would just about sum it up. Read more
Published 23 days ago by N. Kilbey
My Favourite John Cusack film.
What you would call a "dark comedy". It is very funny in places but amply shows that the assassin's profession is one of constant tension, insecurity and down-right fear. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Eric G. Jeffries
Surprisingly sharp-edged for a Hollywood made satire
The dark satiric elements of this film are terrific - equating the
moral emptiness of a hit man's career with the moral emptiness of
modern America is spot on. Read more
moral emptiness of a hit man's career with the moral emptiness of
modern America is spot on. Read more
Published 13 months ago by K. Gordon
He's got a second shot, in more ways than one!
Martin Blank {John Cusack} didn't follow the same path that his High School pals did. Whilst they went on to become average Joe professionals, Martin became a different sort of... Read more
Published 14 months ago by Spike Owen
classic cusack comedy
This is one of my favourite films ever, centred around a brilliant performance from the under rated John Cusack. Read more
Published 15 months ago by meatshake
not has described annoyingly painfull?
i sent of for this product on face value
checked it out and waited till it arrived wow
it arrived before the expected arrival date 3 days before
brilliant, opened it... Read more
checked it out and waited till it arrived wow
it arrived before the expected arrival date 3 days before
brilliant, opened it... Read more
Published 16 months ago by gillimoggy
gift purchase
Bought this dvd from my son's "Wish List" - great idea!
Item was out of stock, but I was advised and received the dvd fairly soon. Good service - thanks
Item was out of stock, but I was advised and received the dvd fairly soon. Good service - thanks
Published 18 months ago by MH
Thirteen Years! Thirteen Years, Man!
This is just so great.
Dunno about you, but films nowadays are all a bit ...uneventful. Paradoxical for non-stop welters of CGI-powered set pieces, but maybe that's just... Read more
Dunno about you, but films nowadays are all a bit ...uneventful. Paradoxical for non-stop welters of CGI-powered set pieces, but maybe that's just... Read more
Published 23 months ago by gixxer
Grosse Point Blank
American director George Armitage using Tom Jankiewicz story and screenplay with input from John Cusack, Steve Pink and D.V. Read more
Published on 23 Feb 2010 by Milt Ingarfield
existential hit man comedy romance.
One of the funniest films ever,sharp dialogue and shoot outs. Actors like Ackroyd,Arkin and Cusack (and his sister)who are laugh out loud in almost every scene. Read more
Published on 25 July 2009 by bucky
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