Grosse Pointe Blank (1997)

Martin Blank is a professional assassin. He is sent on a mission to a small Detroit suburb, Grosse Pointe, and, by coincidence, his ten-year high school reunion party is taking place there at the same time.

Director:

George Armitage

Writers:

Tom Jankiewicz (story), Tom Jankiewicz (screenplay)

Stars:

John Cusack, Minnie Driver, Dan Aykroyd

2 wins & 8 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
John Cusack	...	Martin Q. Blank
Minnie Driver	...	Debi Newberry
Alan Arkin	...	Dr. Oatman
Dan Aykroyd	...	Grocer
Joan Cusack	...	Marcella
Hank Azaria	...	Steven Lardner
K. Todd Freeman	...	Kenneth McCullers
Jeremy Piven	...	Paul Spericki
Mitchell Ryan	...	Mr. Bart Newberry
Michael Cudlitz	...	Bob Destepello
Benny Urquidez	...	Felix La PuBelle
Duffy Taylor	...	Ultimart Carl
Audrey Kissel	...	Arlene
Carlos Jacott	...	Ken
Brian Powell	...	Husky Man

Storyline

Martin Blank is a freelance hitman who starts to develop a conscience, which causes him to muff a couple of routine assignments. On the advice of his secretary and his psychiatrist, he attends his 10th year High School reunion in Grosse Pointe, Michigan (a Detroit suburb where he's also contracted to kill someone). Hot on his tail are a couple of over-enthusiastic federal agents, another assassin who wants to kill him, and Grocer, an assassin who wants him to join an "Assassin's Union."

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Plot Keywords:

long range rifle | range | time bomb | assassin | reunion | 

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Taglines:

A comedy about a hit man, a high school reunion, and the girl he left behind.

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Genres:

Action | Comedy | Crime | Romance | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong violence, language and some drug content

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 April 1997 (USA)

Also Known As:

Plaćenik

Filming Locations:

Ambassador Hotel - 3400 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$15,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$6,870,397, 13 April 1997, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$28,014,536, 10 August 1997

Company Credits

Production Co:

Hollywood Pictures, Caravan Pictures, New Crime Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

107 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Blank's line "meet the new boss" in the diner breakfast scene is taken from The Who song "Won't Get Fooled Again". John Cusack is a big fan of The Who.

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Goofs

At Debi's house, Martin's baseball cap is taken off and put on one of her bed posts. After they do the "airplane" and he is leaving, it's in his back pocket even though no one took it down.

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Quotes

Steve: Tell you what, why don't I take the weekend off and *you* kill him, since you two are so close?

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Connections

Referenced in Stargate SG-1: Bounty (2007)

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Soundtracks

Sharks Can't Sleep
Written and Performed by Tracy Bonham
Courtesy of Island Records, Inc.
By Arrangement with PolyGram Film & TV Licensing

User Reviews

Love

I found this movie wonderfully complex and startling close to issues in my life. If you can't follow the psycho-babble and jerky dialogue, then you probably don't get Dennis Miller comedy either. I love John's work and was delighted to enjoy his work over and over. I do have one request. Someone, anyone, please, tell me the name of the song playing in the background while John holds the baby in the reunion scene. I couldn't find it on the soundtrack or in any listing. Please, email me with the answer. I'll send you a souvenir from Juwanna Mann or the Patriot if you help me. Thanks.