The Cusack 'Decades' Trilogy Rolls On

Grosse Point Blank struck me as a clear thematic sequel to Say Anything, despite their plots being virtually chalk and cheese. However, I think each of them was a very strong picture of their respective eras, particularly in terms of American politics, economics, work ethics and moral ideals. Ten years of disillusionment after the "I don't want to buy anything, sell anything or process anything" speech, we caught up with Cusack playing a hit-man with a numb soul. It flows.

And the high school reunion in Blank echoed the graduation in Say Anything perfectly, while the two films' central romantic relationships become even more interesting when juxtaposed against one another.

Now, another decade later, and it seems like Cusack is tracing further along the same lines with another non-sequel. This one is currently called Brand Hauser: Stuff Happens, but that's not the first name anybody has given it, and I doubt it will be the last.

The picture you see is Hilary Duff on set. She's playing either a pop-star from the Middle East or a reporter, but the reports I've been reading can't agree. To me, it looks like anybody who put their chips on pop-star is going to take the pot. If I'm wrong, Rosalind Russel is going to be spinning in her grave.

This time round, Cusack plays an asassin - again - who is charged with the termination of a power player in the Oil trade. He uses the wedding of the pop-star to a politician as his cover for the killing, but as expected, complications follow. Hilarious complications too, no doubt.

Apparently, Cusack's character supresses his emotions by knocking back hot sauce from the bottle. I can see it now.

The film has only recently entered production, with Joshua Seftel directing from a script by Cusack, Mark Leyner and Jeremy Pikser. Add another one to my Most Wanted list of 2007.