Grosse Pointe Blank (1997)

The review calls the film a real oddity and genre-hopper that succeeds admirably as a risk-taker, highlighting the clever script with ironic witticisms, attractive leads, taut direction that avoids gratuitous violence, and the nostalgic 80s soundtrack. It concludes that the result is one of the smartest, most original studio offerings in a long while and is hugely recommended.

The critic praises the film's disarming coolness and sparkling comedy, noting its fluid feel and complex issues beneath a typical Hollywood redemption story. They single out the witty script, strong character and emotion, poignant and darkly funny scenes reconciling past and present, Armitage's direction, and the imaginative use of the 1980s soundtrack.

The critic finds the film hugely charming and one of the decade’s hippest oddities, mixing black hitman humour with screwball romance and middle-age ponderings, punctuated by stylish gunplay and intense fight scenes.

The critic calls it a very funny dark comedy that smartly underplays its absurd situations and lets the characters shine without forced wackiness. Strong praise goes to the comic turns from Cusack and the supporting cast, especially Dan Aykroyd.

The critic celebrates the film as a comforting rewatch that offers soothing familiarity, highlighting the supercool chemistry between John Cusack and Minnie Driver as the ultimate on-screen pairing.

A wild, anarchic comedy follows a hit man to his reunion with darkly playful energy and consistently surprising incidents. Director Armitage and the Cusack-led ensemble keep the comic attitude intact amid the mayhem.

The review highlights the film's deceptively breezy dark comedy and Cusack's self-reflexive performance as a hitman in midlife crisis, noting strong chemistry with Driver and an ace supporting cast. It frames the story as a cynical but hopeful sequel-like companion to Say Anything....

The film cleverly pairs a hit man's high school reunion with his personal identity crisis, making the premise human and endearing through Cusack's performance. It maintains a jaunty, winsome tone with strong support from the cast.

The critic finds this hip black comedy a droll study of the modern American male's neuroses, with Cusack engaging and ironic as the hitman seeking meaning at his high school reunion.

The film is hip and absurd without being cloying, succeeding as a romantic comedy with charming leads and vivid supporting turns. Armitage's direction keeps the tone consistent despite the outlandish premise.

The film is a near-miss that takes a quirky approach to its hit-man story and high-school reunion setting. The critic praises the witty dialogue, the chemistry between Cusack and Driver, and the quirky characters, but faults the conventional action climax.

The opening section delivers sharp comic duets and deadpan direction, but the film loses momentum and becomes self-satisfied. It fails to sustain its initial cleverness or willingness to take real risks in the black comedy genre.

The critic hails the film as a relatively unheralded masterpiece and one of the great under-rated films of its era. He singles out John Cusack's endearing, personable performance as the contract killer protagonist for particular praise, noting how it anchors the film's unique blend of comedy, action, emotion and jeopardy.

The critic calls the film a charmer that remains enjoyable 20 years on, particularly for its nostalgic '80s alt-rock soundtrack and the fun of seeing John Cusack's character return to his roots. They single out the elite-tier music selection and Joe Strummer's score as highlights that enhance the wistful tone.

The piece positions the film as the older, anti-hero version of Cusack's iconic roles, praising its soundtrack, cast performances (especially Aykroyd and Arkin), and blend of violence with humor while noting the bittersweet ending and themes of optimism versus nihilism.

The critic commends the film's subversive mix of romance, suspense, and dark humor, arguing it deconstructs assassin tropes with relatable midlife anxieties and strong lead chemistry. It singles out the clever 1980s nostalgia and soundtrack as enhancing the story's emotional core over pure action.

The critic describes it as a pitch-black comedy and deeply romantic Gen X classic that captures suburban ennui and personal dissatisfaction. It praises the unique voice of the screenplay and how the mix of action, romance, and humor feels rooted in a specific time and place while remaining timeless.

The critic praises the film's blend of dark comedy and romance, noting how it stands out from Tarantino knock-offs through its focus on the hitman's existential crisis and genuine chemistry between leads. The review highlights the sweet yet complex central romance and the innovative use of therapy sessions as a recurring motif that influenced later works like The Sopranos.