Grosse Point Blank [M]

Martin Blank became a hit man. But now the job has lost its appeal and he faces an uncertain future. As fate would have it, after screwing up a job, he is sent to his hometown of Grosse Point where he’s to do his last job. Whilst there he decides to attend his ten-year high school reunion and have a shot at rekindling a romance with Debbie, a girl he stood up on Prom Night. 

This is a very quirky, but darkly funny little movie that had never interested me before. It was recommended to my mum and so this afternoon we sat down and watched it, each being surprised that we had not seen it before. It’s a very delightfully different and rather cunning little film. 

Unlike his high school friends who became distinguished in respected careers, Martin Blank became a hit man. But now the job has lost its appeal and Martin faces an uncertain future. As fate would have it, after screwing up a job, he is sent to his hometown of Grosse Point to complete one last job. Whilst there he decides to attend his ten-year high school reunion and have another shot at rekindling a romance with Debbie, a girl he stood up on Prom Night. 

I have to admit that I seem to be developing a bit of a thing for John Cusack having recently admired his chivalry in Say Anything and now seeing him as a suave and quick-witted hit man in Grosse Point Blank. There were two things that stood out for me in this movie. The first was the script and how dark and cunningly clever it was. It was very fast moving and sometimes a little hard to keep up with what was going on, but ultimately I found it very crisp and very clever. 

The second element that deserves a mention in this movie is the totally wicked soundtrack! 80’s for the win! We have “Blister In The Sun”, “Under Pressure” by Queen and David Bowie, “Walk Like an Egyptian” the Bangles, “Take On Me” Aha, and even the original version of Nena’s “99 Luftballons”, which I could not help but sing along with. I have to say that seeing some of the more violent scenes being played against “99 Luftballons” just added more humour to the sheer lunacy of the entire thing. I loved it. 

Starring John Cusack, Minnie Driver, Alan Arkin, Joan Cusack, Hank Azaria, and Dan Akroyd, Grosse Point Blank was very clever and darkly funny little film that was filled with sharp dialogue, action, and romance. It was very clever and well worth watching.