Grosse Pointe Blank

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Grosse Pointe Blank ★★★ 1997 (R)

Stressed-out Martin Q. Blank (Cusack) debates with his nervous shrink (Arkin) about whether to attend his 10-year high school reunion. He doesn't want to deal with the Debi (Driver), the girl he ditched on prom night, the incessant small talk, or the prospect of telling his classmates that he's a professional hit man. Then there's the matter of rival pro Grocer (Aykroyd), who wants to start an assassins union. Dark comedy with excellent writing, a charmingly off-center lead by Cusack, who attended his own reunion as research, and a surprising amount of action. Pasadena fills in for most of Grosse Pointe, but the Detroit shots are real. 107m/C VHS, DVD . John Cusack, Minnie Driver, Dan Aykroyd, Alan Arkin, Joan Cusack, Jeremy Piven, Mitchell Ryan, Hank Azaria, Michael Cudlitz, Benny “The Jet” Urquidez, Barbara Harris, Ann Cusack, K. Todd Freeman; D: George Armitage; W: Tom Jankiewicz, D.V. DeVincentis, Steve Pink, John Cusack; C: Jamie Anderson; M: Joe Strummer.