The plot is obviously yet another spawn of the Pulp Fiction breed. But its the runt of the litter. The story line concerns a professional killer named Martin Blank, who returns home to Grosse Point to attend his ten year high school reunion. While he's there, he has an assassination to complete, and hopes to pick up with his high school sweetheart. It doesn't take long to work out that the intended victim is the father of the sweetheart.

The story would probably provide amusing fodder for a half-hour sitcom. Maybe for a thin John Travolta in a sitcom called "Pulp Fiction, the early years," a similar plot line might work well. As an idea, the story has potential. As a two hour movie, it becomes increasingly unfunny as the minutes drag interminably on.

While Blank is in Grosse Point he stumbles across various other characters, all of whom appear to have absolutely no relation to the plot, except Minnie Driver. She is the sweetheart Blank dreams of every night, and the local disk jockey back in the Pointe. She's also still nursing the wounds Martin left ten years before, when he jilted her on prom night. In a Howard Sternish manner, she tries to unravel her emotions on air, inviting callers to become involved in her affair. Thank heavens Driver is completely delightful to look at, because her role in this film was obviously written for Barbie - and a plastic doll from Mattel wouldn't have felt as foolish as Driver.

John Cusack plays the central role of the professional killer, and to give him his due, he is very fine in the film. He is the one of few things of consistent interest in the entire film, but as co-producer maybe he was more concerned with his own role than anything else. Cusack manages a wonderful cross between hard-nosed hit man and a lost little boy. Often adopting a Travolta-like gait and tough guy pose, he obviously enjoys the role. The best part, however, is his choreography. Whenever Blank is in the company of other killers, they maneuver around each other in a complicated dance step, replete with sophisticate arm and shoulder movements.

Cusack's sister, Joan, as well as sundry other family members, appear in Grosse Point Blank. Joan Cusack always plays delightful weirdoes, and here she is the hyper-effecient secretary to the hitman, with a persona and office surroundings straight from a 1930s detective novel. Dan Aykroyd, meanwhile, is a rival killer who is trying to unionize the profession. This role is yet another turn in the seemingly never-ending downward spiral of Aykroyd's career.

Beyond Minnie Driver's good looks, John Cusack's stellar performance and sister Joan's twisted one, there is little to recommend this movie, except maybe an excellent soundtrack that begins with "I can see clearly now the rain has gone" and thereafter never misses a beat.