Movie Review: Gross Pointe Blank
Strix got this for Christmas from my parents, who bought it because it was on her Amazon wishlist. It is the must-see movie of anyone who came of age in the 80's. The music alone is enough of a reason, but the writing is sharp and witty, and the delivery from everyone in the movie is perfect. The synopsis: Martin Blank is an assassin for hire, but his heart isn't in it anymore. When he gets invited to his 10-year high school reunion, he decides to go, with some insistent prompting from his secretary. There he meets his high school sweetheart, who he had stood up on prom night 10 years earlier and never saw again.
This movie has some of the best lines in it from all movie history. For example:
[Talking to his psychiatrist about going to his high school reunion]
Marty: They all have husbands and wives and children and houses and dogs, and, you know, they've all made themselves a part of something and they can talk about what they do. What am I gonna say? "I killed the president of Paraguay with a fork. How've you been?"
Martin Q. Blank: Well, you don't know my cat, it's very demanding.
Debi: It? You don't know if it's a boy or girl?
Martin Q. Blank: I respect its privacy.
Martin Q. Blank: [Leaving a message on his therapist's machine, upon finding out that his boyhood home is now a convenience store.] Dr. Oatman, please pick up, pick up! It's Martin Blank! I, I'm standing where my, uh, living room was and it's not here because my house is gone and it's an Ultimart! You can never go home again, Oatman... but I guess you can shop there.
[Practicing in a mirror before his high school reunion]
Marty: Hi. I'm, uh, I'm a pet psychiatrist. I sell couch insurance. Mm-hmm, and I - and I test-market positive thinking. I lead a weekend men's group, we specialize in ritual killings. Yeah, you look great! God, yeah! Hi, how are you? Hi, how are you? Hi, I'm Martin Blank, you remember me? I'm not married, I don't have any kids, and I'd blow your head off if someone paid me enough.
Debi: Everybody's coming back to take stock of their lives. You know what I say? Leave your livestock alone.
Ken McCullard: I do divorce mainly, some property, some personal injury.
Marty: They all seem kinda related.
Debi: You're a f***ing *psycho*.
Marty: Don't rush to judgment on something like that until all the facts are in.
Debi: If you love something, set it free. If it comes back to you, it's, well, broken.
