Movie Title: Grosse Pointe Blank
Released Date: April 11, 1997
Tagline: “Even a hit man deserves a second shot.”
Runtime: 107 minutes
Director: George Armitage
Screenplay Written By: Tom Jankiewicz, D. V. DeVincentis, Steve Pink, John Cusack
Based On: Original story by Tom Jankiewicz
Is it a remake?: No
Budget: Approximately $15 million
Box Office: Approximately $31.1 million worldwide
Main Cast:
- John Cusack — Martin Blank
- Minnie Driver — Debi Newberry
- Dan Aykroyd — Grocer
- Alan Arkin — Dr. Oatman
- Joan Cusack — Marcella
- Jeremy Piven — Paul Spericki
- Hank Azaria — Steven Lardner
- Benny Urquidez — Felix LaPoubelle
Awards:
- Nominated — Saturn Award for Best Action/Adventure/Thriller Film
- Nominated — Blockbuster Entertainment Award for Favorite Actor (John Cusack)
- Soundtrack album became highly successful and developed a cult following
Short Plot Summary:
Professional hitman Martin Blank returns to his hometown of Grosse Pointe, Michigan, to attend his ten-year high school reunion while completing a contract assignment in nearby Detroit. During the visit, he reconnects with his former girlfriend, Debi Newberry, whom he abandoned on prom night years earlier. As rival assassins, federal agents, and unresolved personal issues collide, Martin is forced to confront both his violent profession and his past. The film blends dark comedy, action, romance, and satire against the backdrop of suburban nostalgia.
Key Quotes:
- “I’m a professional killer.” — Martin Blank
- “Ten years! Man, you’ve been gone ten years.” — Paul Spericki
- “Popcorn!” — Grocer
- “You can never go home again, Oatman… but I guess you can shop there.” — Martin Blank
Trivia
Director:
- Director George Armitage reportedly filmed multiple tonal versions of scenes — understated, scripted, and over-the-top improvisational takes — then chose the best versions during editing.
- Armitage significantly rewrote the screenplay during preproduction to reduce its length from roughly 150 pages to about 102 pages.
Cast / Casting:
- John Cusack also co-wrote the screenplay and helped shape the film’s dark comedic tone.
- Joan Cusack, John Cusack’s real-life sister, plays Martin’s assistant Marcella.
- Minnie Driver stated in interviews that large portions of the movie were heavily improvised.
- Martial arts champion Benny Urquidez performed the intense convenience store fight scene with Cusack.
Soundtrack / Score:
- The score was composed by Joe Strummer of The Clash.
- The soundtrack became one of the film’s defining elements, featuring artists including The Specials, Echo & the Bunnymen, Pixies, Nena, and Motörhead.
- The soundtrack album reached No. 31 on the Billboard 200 and was successful enough to receive a second soundtrack release.
Location:
- Despite being set in Michigan, most of the film was shot in Monrovia and Los Angeles-area locations in California.
- Only aerial footage was actually filmed in Grosse Pointe, Michigan.
- Reunion scenes were not filmed at Grosse Pointe South High School because local officials objected to alcohol-related content.
Behind-The-Scenes:
- Writer Tom Jankiewicz conceived the film after receiving a real invitation to his own ten-year high school reunion.
- The title is a play on both the city “Grosse Pointe” and the phrase “point-blank.”
- Jankiewicz originally worked as both a substitute teacher and Big Lots cashier while trying to sell the screenplay.
- Several characters were reportedly inspired by Jankiewicz’s real-life classmates and friends.
Nostalgia:
- The movie heavily leans into 1980s nostalgia through music, reunion culture, fashion references, and suburban satire.
- The reunion dance scene prominently features tracks like “99 Luftballons” and “Blister in the Sun.”
Easter Eggs:
- Martin’s childhood home being replaced by an Ultimart convenience store became one of the film’s most memorable running jokes.
- Bill Cusack and Ann Cusack, siblings of John Cusack, make brief appearances.
Misc:
- The film opened the same month as Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion, creating an unusual coincidence of reunion-themed comedies in theaters simultaneously.
- Joan Cusack later referred to War, Inc. as an unofficial spiritual sequel due to similarities in tone and cast.
- The movie developed a strong cult following over time, especially among fans of 1990s dark comedies and Gen X nostalgia.
Sources Cited:
- IMDb
- Wikipedia
- Box Office Mojo
- Rotten Tomatoes
- TMDb
- Additional Sources:
