John Cusack: 5 Awesome Performances And 5 That Sucked
1. Martin Q. Blank - Grosse Pointe Blank
This one was kind of a homecoming for Cusack's acting talents. Well, actually it was a school reunion, but splitting heirs aside the fact of the matter remains that Grosse Pointe Blank is the best showcase of Cusack's two most famed opposing qualities: slick high school motormouth versus that of anarchic post punk at heart. In the role of a lifetime Cusack is perfectly cast as Martin Blank, a hitman returning home (it's in the title) for said shindig as well as clearing up a little bit of work at the same time. What transpires is a sassy, smart and violent story, one that typified the nineties wave of indie movies - the film was partially fronted by Cusack's own New Crime Productions - with highlights including Cusack's brutal verbal sparring sessions with Dan Aykroyd's devious hitman, a soundtrack to get high for and, of course, the standout fight scene of the decade. This is the one he will be remembered for.
Shaun is a former contributor for a number of Future Publishing titles and more recently worked as a staffer at Imagine Publishing.
He can now be found banking in the daytime and writing a variety of articles for What Culture, namely around his favourite topics of film, retro gaming, music, TV and, when he's feeling clever, literature.
