GROSSE POINTE BLANK SCORES A HIT! Grosse Pointe Blank is truly a showcase for actor John Cusack who also serves as its co-writer and co-producer. I thoroughly enjoyed this movie along with the many others who packed into Arlington's Courthouse theater to watch it.
John Cusack plays Martin Blank, a beleagured hitman (fighting unionization) who gets invited back to his10 year high school reunion (Class of '86) in the tony Detroit suburb of Grosse Point. Both his comical "contract" booker, Marcella (played by John Cusack's sister, Joan), and his fearful psychiatrist, Dr. Oatman (Alan Arkin), urge him to go to his reunion and fate seems to step in when a "job" turns up in the Detroit area.

Martin also can't resist going back to see his high school sweetheart who he stood up on prom night, the night he left Grosse Point. Debi, his ex-girlfriend, is played by Irish actress, Minnie Driver, last seen in Sleepers, who does an amazing job capturing an American accent, and, of course, looks great. 
Dan Akyroyd also puts in a better than usual performance as a rival hitman. Martin Blank learns that you can go home again, but that it may not be such a great idea, especially when the old homestead has been bulldozed to make way for an Ultimart convenience store, and you're dodging rival contract killers. Cusack has created a multi-layered character with existential hangups about his childhood, depression, and what constitutes a person's character. The cool thing about this movie is that Cusack's character doesn't get a sudden case of remorse over his chosen profession (He, after all, has a certain moral flexibility.), he just gets sick of it. The same could be said for anyone, including his old high school buddies, who seem equally disenchanted with their lives. Cusack also deserves kudos for his co-writing of Grosse Pointe Blank.

This movie's got some great dialogue, and Cusack makes sure all of his actors get their share of snappy lines. For example, when asked to describe her high school reunion, the hilarious Joan Cusack offers up one of the movie's funniest lines: "It was, as if, everyone had swelled." Another hilarious scene worth mentioning is when Martin gets involved in a major gun battle at his former home (the Ultimart) with a rival hitman while the clerk who is listening to his Walkman and playing a video game is completely oblivious. Plus, as an '86 high school grad myself (Gigi reveals her age for those who can do the math!), it was a kick to hear all that 80s music again. So, go see Grosse Point Blank. It is a refreshing gem among the "big" pictures.