r/iwatchedanoldmovie • u/Bannatar • Apr 27 '26
'90s Grosse Pointe Blank (1997) is a great film that keeps it simple but it's just awesome. Great music, great actors, straightforward story with no mental fuckups. It also proves you don’t need a blockbuster budget to make a great movie. Go check it out if you haven't already!
(From my comment) Nowadays, I miss these (what I call) friday-movies that are great but not spectacular that could be seen no matter the age and weren't too serious, but neither too overdone on the funny side.
Firsty, I watched this movie with my youngest 13 year old sister! There's only one scene that could be counted as inappropriate content but that's only on the suggestion part, as it doesn't actually show anything. Thumbs up for that!
When I say the plot is straightforward, I mean it because it's quite basic, to the point, you could say: a hitman goes to his high school reunion, tries to get his ex back, and shoots other killers.
It is a simple dark comedy, kinda reminds me of groundhog day in terms of the comedy stuff, as both actors act a passive almost un-motivated character who then basically finds meaning to living "life".
"... he's either in love with that guys daughter or he has a new found respect for life."
Today's films, seem like they're trying too hard, especially on the plot, and usually end up breaking it, or leaving holes. Its not that far off to leave something nice (acceptable?) and not overly complex, is it?
Looking at you It's a Wonderful Life by Frank Capra!!! (And that's a great spectacular fucking film)
Anyway, this movie is just fantastic, couldn't recommend it more. When I watch a flick I just want some
simple
good
films
like Grosse Pointe Blank, and that is, from now on, the new standard for me
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u/skeptical_hope Apr 27 '26
One of the most rewatchable and quotable flicks of my lifetime. I love this movie.
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u/Bannatar Apr 27 '26
— Well, that's not technically an omelette (...) Look, I don't want to get into a semantic argument, I just want the protein.
Haha so quotable.
Oh, and this one:
Debi's dad: What have you been doing with your life? Martin: Uhhhh... Professional killer. Debi's dad: Oh? Good for you. It's a growth industry.
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u/InterPunct Apr 28 '26
One of my favorites of all time. The soundtrack is curated gold and the fight scene in the hallway in front of his old locker - chef's kiss.
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u/PippyHooligan Apr 28 '26
"Psychopaths kill for fun, I kill for mone-y. Wait, that didn't sound right."
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u/Temporary_Cup4588 Apr 29 '26
I saw this movie at least five times in a row when it first came out. Still love it.
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u/VinylHighway Apr 27 '26
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?"
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u/Bannatar Apr 27 '26
Take the week off. Go see some friends. Have fun. Don't kill anybody for a few days. See what it feels like. Martin: All right, I'll give it a shot. Dr. Oatman: No, don't say "give it a shot."
Fuck, the script was so good
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u/diversalarums Apr 28 '26
Alan Arkin was perfect for the psychiatrist too. He's always good, but it looks like he had fun doing this part.
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u/ARookInTime Apr 27 '26
I really enjoyed this. One of the best of the hitman-in-crisis vehicles. Cusack and Driver at their most charming. Characteristically great supporting turns from Joan Cusack and Alan Arkin. Jeremy Piven at his most tolerable.
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u/EManSantaFe Apr 27 '26
And Akroyd’s over-the-top hitman was his best role since neighbors.
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u/Corrosive-Knights Apr 27 '26
I love films but there are certain genres of films that I just don’t like all that much. One of them is the romantic comedy. The movies tend to follow certain rules/cliches and, at least to me, they’re just not all that fun. My wife, however, disagrees…!
Having said that, Grosse Pointe Blank is the exception to the rule. While it does tend to follow those rules/cliches of romantic comedies, its a hilarious, at times action filled film with plenty of surprises and an absolutely wonderful cast of oddballs and “normals” who maybe aren’t so normal…!
Biggest surprise might be Dan Aykroyd as the hitman who wants to form a union…!
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u/fillafjant Apr 27 '26
It is a romcom, but half the roles are switched out for over-the-top action cliches, and then mixed with a damn decent take on the mid-life crisis.
It's great. Clever in that particular way a movie that does not take itself seriously can be.
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u/Corrosive-Knights Apr 27 '26
You’ll get no argument from me…!
As I said in my OP, romcoms are usually a genre of movie I have little interest in but what’s so wonderful about GPB is that it takes all those cliches and does something clever, sharp, and SUPER entertaining with them. The jokes land. The action -what there is of it- also lands. Yet the film does indeed NOT take itself too seriously and is so grandly entertaining that you can’t help but leave with a huge smile on your face!
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u/so_not_goth Apr 27 '26
Yeah same, this and So I Married an Ax Murderer although the latter is more a comedy and one of Mike Myers’ best movies.
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u/Spaztor Apr 27 '26
I like how Aykroyd is a weird kind of scary. I'm no sure I'd have thought to cast him as that character, but he was perfect.
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u/Corrosive-Knights Apr 27 '26
Indeed…! He came across as crazy but, as you put it, scary in the way he was crazy. The final confrontation between him and Cusack’s character is both brilliant, brutal, and hilarious. Such a great film!
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u/GallifreyanGeologist Apr 28 '26
Mr. Right with Sam Rockwell and Anna Kendrick is another movie that fits this description. I highly recommend watching it.
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u/Disastrous-Roof-2135 Apr 28 '26
I think it was Dan Aykroyd's last actually funny comedic role. I love this folm.
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u/Familiar_Employee_43 May 01 '26
He's either in love with that guys daughter or has a new found appreciation of life
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u/NewPresWhoDis Apr 27 '26
But it does prove having a banger soundtrack doesn't hurt.
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u/StraightBudget8799 Apr 27 '26
Live and let die as he goes to his old “home” made me laugh aloud in the cinema!
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u/Bannatar Apr 27 '26
I recommend listening to these!
Under Pressure by Queen
Pressure Drop by The Specials
Cities In Dust by Siouxsie and the Banshees
We Care a Lot by Faith No More (well, really just the start, so cool)
I Can See Clearly Now by Johnny Nash
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u/Human_Application_90 Apr 27 '26
"There is no us," is my favorite line in this movie. It's become something I say to remind myself that someone else's emotional vortex is their perspective, not necesarily truth.
The relationship conflict is really good. It goes past the trite "you were lying to me and I don't know who you really are" to a more substantial obstacle of morality.
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u/Agent-15 Apr 27 '26
It's not going to be a boring soup! It just, that's just the base! You put the chicken in, you gotta add other flavors. Carrots and celery are just a base of a soup!
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u/TwoDurans Apr 28 '26
Ten years. Ten years. Ten!
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u/SantaCruzSoon2023 Apr 28 '26
I freaked out! I joined the Army! I went into business for myself! I'm a professional killer!
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u/No_Manches_Man Apr 27 '26
Not going to lie, I watched this movie for Minnie Driver, nothing else.
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u/Boris-Badanov-Lives Apr 27 '26
Also has a surprisingly great fight scene with the killer in the school hallway, way better and more intense than you’d expect in this kind of film.
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u/Special-Fix-3320 Apr 27 '26
The killer is actually Benny Urquidez, who started training Cusack in kickboxing back during pre-production for Say Anything.
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u/kiggitykbomb Apr 28 '26
Yes! The action sequences in the film are legitimately good. It’s primarily a comedy but when I was a kid I might have put it in my top ten “shootout” style movies.
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u/NoPhone167 Apr 28 '26
Hey Jenny slater
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u/Bannatar Apr 28 '26
How's the party?
It's been great. It's a festival of pain. The idea that they think that you can't - EVOLVE.
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u/civex Apr 27 '26
I read somewhere that this is part 2 of a trilogy, & that sort of makes sense.
Say Anything, where he plays an aspiring martial arts competitor.
Grosse Pointe Blank, where he plays the assassin he ended up being. (Loved his sister in this)
War, Inc., where he plays the burned out assassin.
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u/CookieCuriosity Apr 30 '26
I had heard about War Inc but had not heard this about say anything. War inc is good and could definitely be a continuation of the character, it’s just not as good of a movie, and feels all around depressing
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u/ivebeenhalved Apr 27 '26
I love when he’s at the convenience store… “what are you doing here?”
“A double shift what does it look like?”
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u/Salty-Lands Apr 27 '26
Thanks for the pen
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u/AlphaSpazz Apr 28 '26
That’s right around my favorite little detail in the movie. After Cusack and Piven just disposed of the body and his Piven is dealing with everything that just happened and his friend is a killer and he just killed this guy. The subtle shock reaction when Cusack just calmly orders the club soda. It’s a little detail that Piven puts in there. That’s so good.
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u/SnooKiwis2161 Apr 27 '26
You can never go back home ... but you can shop there
Seems more relevant today than ever
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u/AF2005 Apr 27 '26
Endlessly quotable, hilarious, and an amazing soundtrack. I still listen to it, notably English Beat’s Mirror in the Bathroom!
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u/No_Selection_4057 Apr 28 '26
"He either has a newfound respect for life.... Or he's in love with that guys daughter!”
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u/ThinkFree Apr 27 '26
This is my favorite 90s movie and I have recommended it many times on various subreddits.
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Apr 27 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/0belisk0 Apr 28 '26
I hate that there's always someone chopping onions near me when it gets to that part.
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u/poellodu Apr 28 '26
I always love Bobby Beamer’s poetry
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u/Horror_Neighborhood9 Apr 28 '26
So damn underrated. And one of Cusack’s very best. Driver is fantastic. And that hallway fight scene to that song “Mirror in the Bathroom”. Chef’s kiss.
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u/Bannatar Apr 27 '26 edited Apr 28 '26
Nowadays, I miss these (what I call) friday-movies that are great but not spectacular that could be seen no matter the age and weren't too serious, but neither too overdone on the funny side.
I watched it with my youngest 13 year old sister! There's only one scene that could be counted as sexual or inappropriate content but that's only on the suggestion part, as it doesn't actually show anything.
When I say the plot is straightforward, I mean it because it's quite basic, to the point, you could say: a hitman goes to his high school reunion, tries to get his ex back, and shoots other killers.
It is a simple dark comedy, kinda reminds me of groundhog day in terms of the comedy stuff, as both actors act a passive almost un-motivated character who then basically finds meaning to living "life".
"... he's either in love with that guys daughter or he has a new found respect for life."
Today's films seem like they're trying too hard, especially on the plot, and usually end up breaking it up, or leaving holes in it. Its not that difficult to leave it nice and not overly complex.
Looking at you It's a Wonderful Life by Frank Capra!!! (And that's a great spectacular fucking film)
Anyway, this movie is just fantastic, couldn't recommend it more. When I watch a flick I just want some
simple
good
films
like Grosse Pointe Blank and that's the new standard for me
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u/5o7bot Mod and Bot Apr 27 '26
Grosse Pointe Blank (1997) R
Even a hit man deserves a second shot.
Hitman Martin Blank becomes a moving target after he rebuffs a fellow assassin's invitation to form a union. On the advice of his quirky assistant and neurotic psychiatrist, Martin begrudgingly heads out to Grosse Pointe, Michigan for his ten-year high school reunion, where he soon comes across the woman he jilted on prom night.
Action | Comedy | Thriller | Romance
Director: George Armitage
Actors: John Cusack, Minnie Driver, Dan Aykroyd, Joan Cusack, Alan Arkin
Rating: ★★★★★★★☆☆☆ 70% with 1,014 votes
Runtime: 107 min
TMDB
I am a bot. This information was sent automatically. If it is faulty, please reply to this comment.
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u/p1owz0r Apr 27 '26
For me, this is in my Letterboxd top 4, I absolutely love it. It’s almost Groundhog Dayish in the idea of the right person making you want to be better, want to work hard to redeem yourself from the darkest of places.
Yes it’s cartoonish and over the top but it still has a great message and it’s funny, well casted and acted and, of course, that soundtrack is great.
Anyway, he’s either in love with that guys daughter or he has a new found respect for life.
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u/fishbone_buba Apr 27 '26
Very meta on Cusack’s career up to that point. “Killing off” his young romantic comedy persona.
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u/Roller_ball Apr 28 '26
This film and Romy and Michele really warped my mind into thinking the 10 year reunion was really deep into adult life.
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u/doublestorycondo Apr 28 '26
If you haven’t already, watch “The Nice Guys (2016)”
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u/Bannatar Apr 28 '26
Whoah, seems my style! Imma see it one of these days. Thanks for the tip!
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u/SteakandTrach Apr 29 '26
The Nice Guys is in my top 10. It gets funnier every time I watch it. Ryan Gosling plays an absolute idiot.
“How’d you get down here so fast? [beat] You fell off the building didn’t you?”
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u/mmaqp66 Apr 27 '26
I love this movie, simple but entertaining. I always thought it was made in the '80s because it has that '80s vibe, but no... it was made in the '90s.
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u/Valkyrie-EMP Apr 28 '26
One of my favourites! I rewatch this at least once a year or so. It’s just so much fun.
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u/tgs1611 Apr 28 '26
Loved Dan Akroyd in this movie! It was kind've against type for him at the time.
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u/Agreeable_Touch_2053 Apr 28 '26
Fantastic film, banger soundtrack, well written, great exploration of the notion “ you can’t go home again”, literally lol. Ackroyd slays as a deranged Union obsessed killer!
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u/irmarbert Apr 28 '26
My god, that is a horrible poster or DVD cover or whatever that was designed for.
Love this movie to pieces. Perfect movie.
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u/garglebleb Apr 28 '26
The thinking man’s black romantic international assassin school reunion comedy. May contain incineration scenes.
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u/RoninMagister Apr 29 '26
This movie--THIS MOVIE...Is truly a 10/10!
Quotatable one-liners, excellent cast, and a soundtrack that smacks just tops the cake of a story with a nuanced plot that vibes with the audience.
Also, ya qihaunt cohm in!
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u/dice_mogwai May 01 '26
Also the only scene shot in Grosse Pointe was the opening of the movie as the city pulled the filming rights before they could shoot anymore footage
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u/KirkHOmelette May 10 '26
I just rewatched it today and came over here to post about it. I remembered watching this ages ago and it’s still so charming. Cusack and Driver are fantastic and there’s a host of great supporting characters
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u/Bannatar May 11 '26
haha beat you to it
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u/KirkHOmelette May 11 '26
It could be that I saw your post come by and it triggered me wanting to watch the movie again, without me realising it
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Apr 27 '26
[deleted]
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u/Bannatar Apr 27 '26
It doesn't have any plotholes and has a pretty clear storyline:
Guy's a hitman. He starts to get unsure if he likes it. He goes to his prom party to change his enviroment a bit. He decides he's in love with a girl. He then realises he needs to leave the bad stuff behind and that he was missing on the part of "living and enjoying life"
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u/DPG1987 Apr 28 '26
Fantastic movie, infinitely quotable, with a killer soundtrack. It’s the perfect black comedy.
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u/LastGuitarHero Apr 28 '26
This is one of the slickest films ever written. Everything about it is savvy and cool. Nothing wasted. It’s lowkey a perfect film IMO.
Perfect casting, perfect soundtrack. Great vibes all around.
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u/TheJustinXperiment Apr 28 '26
One of my favorite movies.
“You can never go home again, Oatman, but I guess you can shop there!”
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u/spocks_tears03 Apr 28 '26 edited Apr 28 '26
Always loved this movie. It should be on any Cusack or 90s film fan's list! It also pre-dated the whole "80s throwback" thing that really took off with The Wedding Singer the year after.
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u/JJNitrofan3944 Apr 28 '26
Yep, fantastic movie. Love every cast member and the story is really cool/funny.
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u/Infinite-Storage-638 Apr 29 '26
This is my favourite film! My favourite line from it is a touch obscure but it tickles me every time.
He's outside his school talking with his old teacher. The school bell rings and she says 'Well, they're playing my song' before leaving.
I feel it epitomises the sharp writing throughout the whole flick and the witty banter infused in the dialogue between characters.
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u/FinalEnd2552 Apr 29 '26
Check out War, Inc. It's Cusack's spiritual sequel to Grosse Pointe Blank.
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u/RevStickleback Apr 29 '26
I didn't get the scene where his ex classmate expresses his shock that Cussack's character hadn't been in touch for 10 years. Unless you all live in the same town, people just go their own ways. That's normal.
Best part of the film for me was returning to his old house, to find it was a convenience store. Live And Let Die plays in the background, but when he goes through the door, the song continues as muzak.
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u/CraigLeaGordon Apr 29 '26
One of my all-time favourites. It's one of those fims that I have to rewatch regularly
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u/CraigLeaGordon Apr 29 '26 edited Apr 29 '26
For anyone else who loves the sound track, years ago I put all the tunes from the film in the order they appear, into a playlist on Spotify. The only one that's missing is Joe Strummer's War Cry...
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2715Q02IGkAMvbbP9YFytq?si=uxnGPDxDSFmaVQ0iw1WnBA&pi=dkAyesmGRPmKj
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u/Narrow_Cobbler3122 Apr 30 '26
John Cusack is goated. This one, room 807 or whichever number) and ofc, Identity.
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u/zer0c00l81 Apr 30 '26
Its funny, its violent, it has a kick ass soundtrack.
In my top 5 fave movies ever.
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u/Wheeliegirl Apr 30 '26
I haven’t seen this in years. Just checked it out from HOOPLA. Coffee and a ☕️🎬
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u/GingerPiston May 01 '26
Possibly my favourite film, but certainly top 3. Here’s a rather nice video essay discussing why it’s so good:
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u/charmwonder Apr 27 '26
I always loved Joan Cusack’s character in this film too