January 1, 2003 -- "Grosse Pointe Blank" is yet another version of the hip gangster film, a sort of black comic fairy tale, as much a symbol of our age as the venerable Western was of times past.

In this tale an amoral killer, named Martin Q. Blank, amiably and brightly played by John Cusak, decides to return to his Tenth high school reunion to pick up where he left off with his old flame, Debi Newberry (Minnie Driver). Their reunion is one of the neatest cinematic moments you will ever see.

Blank is also in town to fulfill a contract to kill a man, but he is also a target because of his refusal to join an assassin's union headed by Grocer, (Dan Aykroyd).

As the sparks fly between Blank and Newberry, the bullets fly between the feuding assassins. There's a funny scene where two hit men shoot it out in a convenience store as a clerk plays a violent video game, oblivious to the destruction around him.

There are many funny moments in the film, but also a lot of blood and gore. I suppose the filmmakers, headed by director George Armitage, were trying to duplicate "Pulp Fiction." It is nowhere near as good as that, but it does have its moments. This film rates a C+.

Perhaps this film has something to say about today's society, and about the generation it portrays. In the film, Blank tells several people that he is a hit man. No one seems shocked. There is no sense of outrage, no sense of moral misgivings at all. One fellow helps Blank dispose of one of his victim's bodies without showing much surprise. What is going on here? You got me.

Click here for links to places to buy this movie in video and/or DVD format, the soundtrack, books, even used videos, games and lots of other stuff. I suggest you shop at least two of these places before buying anything. Prices seem to vary continuously. For more information on this film, click on this link to The Internet Movie Database. Type in the name of the movie in the search box and press enter. You will be able to find background information on the film, the actors, and links to much more information.

Copyright © 1997 Robert Roten. All rights reserved.
Reproduced with the permission of the copyright holder.