 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Grosse Pointe Blank
- Review Date: November 9, 2005
- R
- Genre: Comedy
- 2000
Common Sense Media says
Quirky mix of laughs, extreme violence. No payoff.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that the film contains some violent and bloody scenes. The opening scene contains three men brutally shot in close range. In another scene, one character is stabbed (and killed) in the neck with a pen. The body is discarded in an incinerator. Relationships are relatively mature, and there is coarse language throughout.
What's the story?
Hired assassin Martin Blank (John Cusack) is stuck in a rut. Ten years after abandoning his friends and family, he realizes that his path in life has left him dispassionate and empty. Even Martin's apathetic psychologist wants nothing to do with him. When a "job" brings him back to his hometown, coincidentally, during his 10th year high school reunion, he runs into old friends, attempts to rekindle love with an old flame (Minnie Driver), and make amends with his choices in life.
Is it any good?
GROSSE POINTE BLANK is a self-absorbed comedy that comes up short. The premise seems to be interesting at first, but the characters are terrible and boredom quickly sets in. Not even siblings Joan and John Cusack, nor funny-man Dan Aykroyd, can help salvage the film. John Cusack and Dan Aykroyd are well-established actors, but definitely should have overlooked their respective dive roles.
Another blunder in Gross Pointe Blank is the wishy-washy relationship between Cusack and Driver. The couple clearly lacks any on-screen sparks. Conversations agonizingly drag on. The only noteworthy point for the film is the quality soundtrack (including Johnny Nash's "I Can See Clearly Now", the Violent Femmes' "Blister in the Sun", and 80's hit "Take on Me").
What families can talk about
Families can talk about how the movie gets the audience to feel empathetic for an assassin and how killing is made light of. Is violence ever funny?
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AGE
Excellent action comedy for teens and up
This is an excellent action-comedy about a professional hit-man who builds a romantic relationship with his former prom date while visiting his hometown on a mission to assassinate an important person. It is a bit tame for an R rating, it contains occasional strong language and infrequent but strong violence, though not overly so. I'm mature (not to brag) and I first watched it at 9 but for average kids, 13 and up is definitely OK.
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| Studio: | Buena Vista |
| Director: | George Armitage |
| Cast: | Dan Aykroyd, John Cusack, Minnie Driver |
| Genre: | Comedy |
| Run time: | 107 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | July 12, 2000 |
| DVD release date: | November 10, 2000 |
| MPAA rating: | R |
| MPAA explanation: | strong violence, language and some drug content |
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