The original: 

Grosse Pointe Blank (1997)

​

Directed by: 

George Armitage (Miami Blues, The Big Bounce, Vigilante Force, Private Duty Nurses)

​

Starring: 

John Cusack, Mini Driver, Dan Ackroyd, Jeremy Piven, Joan Cusack, Mitchell Ryan, Benny Urquidez and Alan Arkin 

​

What’s it about? 

Returning to his home town for the first time in ten years, just in time for his High School reunion, hitman extraordinaire Martin Blank (Cusack) must confront his past, present and future, the concept of morality and the worth of human life, as well as attempt reconciliation with the love of his life, whom he abandoned along with everyone else, long ago. 

 

All this would be enough for anyone, but other visitors in town include corrupt CIA agents, an assassin out for blood, as well as an unhinged and impossibly dangerous colleague (Ackroyd), who wants nothing more than unity among hitmen, and the death of Martin Blank. 

 

Grosse Pointe Blank is one of the best films ever made. 

The script is tight and meticulous, funny and exciting; filled with deep pathos, drama, tragedy, relatable situations and biting home truths. 

 

The film is at once low-key and insanely slick. Action scenes are inventive, tiny character moments are spot-on. 

And then there’s the lead couple, in Cusack and Driver, containing some of the best chemistry witnessed in cinema. 

Every single ingredient works flawlessly, with pure, perfect moments and genius touches weaved into the film’s fabric throughout. 

 

As good a comedy, action flick and reflection on the human condition as you’ll ever see.  All this, plus a killer soundtrack. 

Just don’t ask ‘Why?’      It’s not him. 

 

Dr. Oatman: “Don't kill anybody for a few days. See what it feels like.” 

Martin: “All right, I'll give it a shot”. 

Dr. Oatman: “No, don't give it a shot! Don't shoot anything!” 

 

 

Martin: “They all have husbands and wives and children and houses and dogs, and, you know, they've all made themselves a part of something and they can talk about what they do. 

What am I gonna say..? ‘I killed the president of Paraguay with a fork. How've you been?’” 

 

​

Marcella: “Sir, I'm really beginning to worry about your safety.” 

Marty: “Look, I got to go.” 

Marcella: “Yeah, we all got to go sometime, sir, but we can choose when.” 

Marty: “No one chooses when.” 

 

 

Marty: “I'm sorry if I fucked up your life.” 

Debi: “It's not over yet.”