Grosse Pointe Blank (R, 2000)

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.

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").