Midnight Run (1988) User Reviews

An engaging adventure with two likable stars...

[Nazi_Fighter_David · 9/10 · 2 May 2004]

DeNiro is (Jack Walsh) a self-righteous ex-cop so unpopular with the Chicago police department, now wanting to make one final 'midnight run' that'll pay big so he can buy a nice coffee shop…

He is hired by an hysterical bondsman to find and bring back a former Mob accountant called Jonathan "The Duke" Mardukas (Grodin) who has stolen $15 million from the Los Angeles mob, given the money to the 'unfortunates of the earth.'

DeNiro quickly captures the 'white-collar criminal' in New York, and is given five days to bring him to Los Angleles, to collect his $100,000 fee...

Unfortunately for DeNiro, the fugitive accountant is too neurotic to fly the distance... The embezzler's ex-boss wants him badly for knowing all his financial transactions, and agent Yaphet Kotto warns Walsh not to interfere with the FBI's plans to bring the 'Duke' into federal court… And if this isn't enough, there is some third-rate bounty hunter (John Ashton) who is intrigued about DeNiro's special deal…

In an extended cross-country chase, the two men's personalities and relationship develop…

DeNiro shows how to catch talents of improvisation... His cheeky schoolboy look certainly supplies some of the film's lighter moments... He delivers some of the best punchlines, when he replies: 'Well if you don't cooperate, you're gonna suffer from fistophobia.'

Charles Grodin is perfect as the prisoner who gets some of Serrano's records on computer disks, figuring if things got too rough, he could always trade them for his life… He continually gets on DeNiro's nerves, and with his soft and ironic tone of voice he advises Walsh that a restaurant is 'a very tricky investment.' He easily dips into Jack Walsh's life ('Don't you want to be loved?'), wandering about his broken marriage ('Did she hurt you, Jack?'), his habits ('Cigarettes are killers. Put the cigarette out.') and whatever he can think of...

The best parts of the film are, in fact, the interactions between the two stars… The story holds up perfectly and entertains the viewer in every way… Martin Brest does bring out the realistic, funny and moving sides of his likable characters… Suspense is maintained to the very end

fun fun fun

[sinco · 9/10 · 11 December 2004]

Here is a movie of my favourite sort regardless of the genre - you feel you would neither add nor substract anything from it. Excellent cast, beautiful script, professional director's work. The main strength of the movie can be found in its unpretentiousness. It primarily aims at providing fun and entertainment, and fulfills it in an efficient way. You have your comedy and action galore.

We are usually willing to suspend our disbelief when watching comedies. No such need when it comes to this movie - the plot, the relations between characters, their motives, everything works like a flawless machinery. It is as credible as life itself.

The movie is brimming with memorable scenes. I have seen it twice - first when it appeared more than 15 years ago, and then again yesterday. I was delighted to find that the movie had lost nothing of its freshness and endured all time traps. I highly recommend it.

9/10 !

Run Robert Run

[kosmasp · 9/10 · 10 March 2020]

I had never seen this, but what a great road movie. And what a cast, starting with the lead (De Niro) down to all the other roles. Some are "minor" I reckon, but even seeing someone like one of the Beverly Hills Cop "sidekicks" in this movie is quite great. And I don't mean any offense by that, because the character he portrays here is so very different from the earnest cop he plays opposite Eddie Murphy to elevate his comedy.

So yes the actors are great, but it's also a real fun script and story you get to see here. A prime example of a good cop and buddy movie right here. Chemistry is through the roof and it's believable as far as the rules of the movie allow us to connect and suspend our disbelief.

They don't make 'em like the used to.

[toddsklar · 10/10 · 2 November 2015]

The first time I watched this movie, I immediately started it again after the credits rolled. Loved it just as much the 2nd time, and over the years, I can honestly say that almost anytime I watch Midnight Run, I usually end up watching it a 2nd (and sometimes 3rd) time within the next few days.

I'm fairly certain the reason for this is that it's evokes such a feeling, creates such a time and place, that I'm practically nostalgic for watching it the minute it ends. Part of that has to do with Danny Elfman's score, and part of it has to do with DeNiro's and Grodin's performances, but more than anything, it's the fact that they just don't make movies like this anymore.

Midnight Run is without a question a perfect movie, but more importantly, it's a time vessel back to an era where you could tell this kind of story, and make a movie like this, and everyone comes out on top.

I love this movie like I love my childhood.

Sheer Excellence

[fatclyde_uk · 10/10 · 23 October 2005]

They don't come any better than Midnight Run. It has everything except a few Academy Awards and that's a mystery in itself. Dialogue, action, comic timing, stunts and all around fabulous acting ability from everyone involved. If you haven't seen this film yet, dig up a copy from somewhere, get a few beers and prepare to be captivated from beginning to end. To think that only 10,000 or so have voted for this film on IMDb and it's not even in the top 250 is a complete travesty. I know, there are other films just as worthy that are not in the top 250 but this is the one that get's me riled up. There are no weak moments or poor scenes in the whole film and the ending is pure joy. Someone please explain why this didn't clean up when it was released because I can't see anything else that came out in '88 that comes close to Midnight Run.

One of my all time favourite films. An action/comedy masterpiece

[josh-hall · 18 May 2005]

In the the late 1980's early 9o's there have been many action buddy comedies 'Beverly hills cop', 'Bad Boys' and 'Bulletproof'and they have all been great. But if i had to say none of them can compare to such a masterpiece as Midnight Run. The film is full of tense and exciting moments of action and humour from both De Niro and Grodin who in this film I think are both at the top of their game. Their chemistry in playing hard ass bounty hunter and sensitive criminal is fantastic. It is such a shame there was no talk of a sequel in mind, especially since it is such an original and cool story and we were gagging to see De Niro return as Jack Walsh again. The film also gives us an impressing supporting cast with Dennis Farina (Snatch, Get Shorty) as an angry mobster and Yaphet Kotto (Alien)as an angry cop on the trail for them both.An easy 10/10. Brilliant piece of movie making.

midnight run

[marmar-69780 · 7/10 · 18 February 2020]

Midnight run is a well made buddy type comedy with two leads who had great chemisty and it also mixed action scenes with comedy ones rather well ,de niro and grodin are so natural to each other that it feels like they made at least 20 movies together before this one,sideline characters also give a dose of fun and they were used in a plot in a best way possible,the thing about this film is that it isnt very funny to me maybe only few scenes made me to smile but what makes for me a better part of film is leads duo dynamic and conversations which makes up and replaces funnier jokes and humour that lacks in a film

A Masterpiece

[DotelMotel · 10/10 · 10 March 2003]

One of the smartest, funniest, and exciting buddy pictures ever made. It has never received the wonderful attention it justly deserves. The performances by the two leads (De Niro and Grodin) are wonderful and they get outstanding support from Joe Pantolino, Dennis Farina, and Yaphet Kotto. But what separates this picture from all the other action / comedies ever made is that the screenplay is so sharp and original. Easily my all time favorite movie - you know how I know that? I must have seen "Midnight Run" at least thirty times and every time I see it, it gets better and better. A true film classic and is getting rereleased on DVD in June of 2003.

Running all day and night

[view_and_review · 7/10 · 8 February 2020]

Jack Walsh (Robert De Niro) is an ex-Chicago cop now Los Angeles bounty hunter. He scours the filthiest locales to find bail jumpers and returns them for whatever pittance he can get. When he's offered $100k for Jonathan Mardukas (Charles Grodin), an ex-accountant for the mob that stiffed them for $15M, this is his chance to get out of the bounty hunter business for good.

"Midnight Run" is a crime action version of "Planes, Trains, and Automobiles." Walsh has to get Mardukas from New York to L.A. in a few days. That would be an easy proposition if he simply boarded a plane and flew to L.A., but of course things wouldn't be that simple.

This was an entertaining film as we saw the interaction between the angry and jaded Walsh and the philosophical and largely calm Mardukas. Throw into the mix the FBI, the mafia, another bounty hunter, and an unscrupulous bail bondsman and you have a heck of a shindig.

One of the most underrated movies! So wonderful!

[yujiang-76825 · 10/10 · 29 April 2020]

I have watched this movie many many times, and it never bores me to watch it another time. The acting is wonderful; the dialogues are great, and the plot superb. The comic elements are very natural.

The most touching part was when Jack had to go to his ex to ask for some money. In the midst of their argument and the moment when Jack and the Duke, Jack's daughter Denise appeared. Her appearance and later giving her father Jack her babe sitting money of $180 were the one of the most heart breaking scenes ever in movie history (the other one that immediately came to mind is when soldiers watched airlines taking off with 101 airborne paratroopers at the end of the 1st episode of Band of Bothers - the scene with the music connoted a profound sense of solemnity and even loss/melancholy - everybody knows that it was the last day of life for a lot of these paratroopers and planes. The daughter-father bond, love, and sadness felt between them was absolutely moving. The music enhanced this so much also.

Enjoyable

[Kingslaay · 7/10 · 7 March 2020]

Midnight Run is enjoyable from start to finish. Full of action, humour and entertainment. The pace is so fast and eventful. It doesn't slow down. It is about fight the clock and the audience also experience the rush and thrill. An unlikely and amusing alliance forms between De Niro and his runaway. It also had a nice feel good ending.

GREAT Writing

[smee3469 · 9/10 · 29 May 2004]

Pleasantly surprised by this one. I had heard people refer to this one, but hadn't seen it for myself until recently. One of the better buddy-action movies I've seen, due to a very tight script. Superior writing by George Gallo. The story is what drives this movie from beginning to end, and doesn't need to depend solely on the cast to keep the audience interested for the full 2 hours. DeNiro and Grodin are excellent together, with a great supporting cast. I would keep this movie in my personal collection. I would also consider it a fine example for other buddy action movies to follow, even today. Highly recommended for great comedic writing, directing and acting.

Fun actioner with bounty hunter De Niro taking mob accountant Grodin across country from New York to Los Angeles

[ma-cortes · 7/10 · 6 January 2022]

An ex-cop , bounty hunter (Robert De Niro) must bring an ex-mob accountant (Charles Grodin) who embezzled 15 million dollars. The mob wants him dead. The F. B. I. Wants him alive . Robert De Niro just wants him to shut up . After he catches up with the thief , the hunter finds that bringing his prisoner from New York to Los Angeles will be trying , especially when it is apparent that the Mafia hoodlums (Robert Miranda , Richard Foronji) and FBI are out to stop them. Soon enough the FBI (Yaphet Kotto) , Mafia boss (Dennis Farina) , and rival bounty hunter (John Ashton) are all in pursuit . Monday... Escape with their lives from New York... Tuesday... Impersonate F. B. I. Agents in Chicago... Wednesday... Steal plane in New Mexico... Thursday... Almost kill each other by accident... Friday... Almost kill each other on purpose... A tough bounty hunter ! . A sensitive criminal !. Robert De Niro has to get the FBI off his case, the mob off his trail, and Charles Grodin off his back! . This could be the beginning of a beautiful friendship. Taking The Midnight Run Is A Hell Of A Way To Make A Living

Action comedy with thrills , emotion , car chases , relentless pursuits and anything else . Director Martin Brest handles the action with enthusiasm and the enjoyable chemical between Robert De Niro and Charles Grodin produces genuine comic sparkles . The friction between two leads De Niro and Grodin is fun to watch , while the action and comic moments are agreeable . Main and support cast are frankly excellent . Robert De Niro's in nice form here as a present day bunty hunter intent on capture his biggest prize in years , a hail-jumper embezzler ; while Charles Grodin gives an attractive acting as ex-accountant who has embezzeled big bucks from his former boss. Magnificent support cast with plenty of familar faces , such as : Yaphet Kotto , John Ashton, Dennis Farina , Joe Pantoliano , Richard Foronjy , Robert Miranda , Jack Kehoe , Philip Baker Hall , Tom Irwin , Wendy Phillips , among others.

It displays a lively and moving musical score by prolific Danny Elffman . As well as atmospheric and adequate cinematography by cameraman Donald E. Thorin. The motion picture was competently directed by Martin Brest . This great director Martin Brest told about this film : ¨I pursued film because I thought this was the coolest job. I loved the idea of working with writers and musicians and photographers and actors at the same time. It sounds corny but the opportunity to work with Robert De Niro was a dream come true for me. I truly am happiest in a working environment where I can encourage and create surprises¨. Brest is a good director who has made successful movies , such as : ¨Going in style¨ , ¨Beverly Hill Cops¨ , ¨Scent of Woman ¨, ¨Meet Joe Black¨; however , failing in ¨Gigli¨ with Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez , that was a real flop at the box office , that's why he retired of filmmaking . Rating : 7.5/10 . Well worth watching .

OK, but lose no sleep for missing it

[RoidDroidVoid · 5/10 · 17 April 2021]

It's an unlikely companion buddy road farcical adventure film.

Now, you have no need to see it yourself.

Seriously though, this is a fine movie to blow a lazy afternoon and have a few laughs.

The plot is continuously edged along by the ridiculous actions of characters. For instance, the plot would not otherwise advance in many of the scenarios if anyone involved did anything realistic.

Guys with guns having a shoot out are not usually dumb enough to just walk around, without cover, aiming at one target while there are dozens of people shooting at them.

That does allow the buddy team to escape and reach the next page of the screenplay.

It's okay. It feels super-contrived which is okay for mindless entertainment, but not any kind of serious attempt at furthering the art form.

Watch it if you've got time to kill and nothing better available. These days, it is hard to imagine a situation in which this movie is the best choice to consume your time.

Literally Perfect.

[Movie-ManDan · 10/10 · 14 March 2020]

Even with some of the best films ever, there would be things I would change or do differently. But with "Midnight Run," I would not change a thing.

In 1988, Robert De Niro was young enough where he could be as picky and choosy as he wanted. Now that he's much older, parts are limited. Mr. De Niro knocks it out of the park in this hidden gem that is well-loved, but not really well-known anymore.

The other lead in this is played by Charles Grodin. I have never heard of this man before, but whoever cast this film must be psychic to cast a pair with this much chemistry.

The first great thing about "Midnight Run" that can get you talking is its story. Robert De Niro plays Jack Walsh-a former Chicago policeman-turned Los Angeles bounty hunter who's the best there is. His latest mission is to escort timid New York accountant Eddie "the Duke" to LA for a hefty sum of one hundred thousand dollars. The Duke used to be an accountant for a feared mafia family who embezzled fifteen million dollars and gave it to a charity. The mob wants to destroy the Duke and the FBI wants him for themselves. Walsh has less than a week to get him back to the city of angles where hilarity and peril rise by the minute.

Jack Walsh is one if De Niro's coolest characters. He's a hard-nosed trash-talker who is nothing short of awesome. Eddie is a shy, calm man who is the perfect opposite to Walsh. It is this Odd Couple relationship that makes a nuanced friendship and mutual respect blossom. They are like Oscar and Felix in their opposite personalities, but much more like Steve Martin and John Candy in "Planes, Trains and Automobiles." Believe it or not, this actually surpasses the Thanksgiving classic from the year before.

As a part adventure story, director Martin Brest is somehow able to keep this movie from being predictable. The FBI wants the Duke; the mafia wants him dead; Jack's rival bounty hunter (John Ashton) wants the Duke and the money; and we want Jack to deliver the Duke safely and peacefully. With all these things happening, the plot gets pulled in all different directions where you never know what's going to happen next.

There is non-stop hilarity and adventure, but also lots of heart. The levels of these are all high and so cleverly done.

4/4

Unheralded DeNiro Film

[ramsfan · 9/10 · 28 August 2011]

Robert DeNiro is on my short list of all-time great actors, with a number of memorable performances in great films spanning 40 years in the business. Midnight Run represents one of his more underrated efforts, a thoroughly enjoyable comedy drama which also boasts a fine supporting cast. DeNiro plays Jack Walsh, an ex-cop who now works as a bounty hunter. He is hired by a sleazy bail bondsman (Joe Pantoliano) to bring in Jonathan "The Duke" Mardukas (Charles Grodin) within 5 days. Mardukas, who has embezzled millions of dollars from gangster Jimmy Serrano (Dennis Farina) is a talkative, finicky pain in the ass who frustrates Walsh, questioning him at every turn and complicating his task. DeNiro overcomes countless obstacles while trying to get his quarry to Los Angeles on time for the payoff while being pursued by mobsters, local law enforcement, rival bounty hunter Marvin Dorfler (John Ashton) and Federal Marshal Mosley (the always enjoyable Yaphet Kotto), all doggedly determined to bring in The Duke themselves.

DeNiro gives his usual entertaining performance, but Grodin steals the show as the fussbudget Mardukas, and the joy of the movie lies in the interplay between the two. On the run and seemingly in conflict at every turn, the duo eventually develop an understanding of one another, and DeNiro is forced to take stock of himself while being hounded by Grodin's bothersome personal inquiries. We find out that DeNiro's character is an honorable guy down deep- doomed to his current profession for refusing to join his entire police squad who was on the take from the very gangster pursuing The Duke. And Grodin is shown as a person that while not without fault, is a decent guy whose honest accounting business was stained by mobsters. This sets up the inevitable meeting of all parties involved in the final part of the movie.

Midnight Run is entertaining from beginning to end and provides just the right balance between comedy and drama. Highly recommended film.

One of the best 'mismatched buddy' genre movies of the period

[bob the moo · 23 August 2004]

Jack Walsh is an ex-cop turned bounty hunter working for bail-bondsman Eddie Moscone. Looking for another job to bring in, Jack is presented with an ex-mob accountant, Jonathon Mardukas, who has ripped off the mafia for millions of dollars and has gone on the run. Using the very basic tricks of his trade, Jack easily finds and catches his man and prepares to transport him back to Moscone and collect his pay. However, with the FBI, the mafia and other bounty hunters all looking to bring in Jonathon for differing reasons, Jack has a hard road ahead of him – and that's before he discovers Jonathon's phobias about planes.

In terms of cinema, I remember the 80's for one main genre – the buddy movie; the genre continues today but that is my overriding memory of the films I saw during this time and since then from the period. Hardly a dynamic hotbed or imagination and innovation, the genre did throw up many films that are quite enjoyable if you meet them on their own terms and it did occasionally produce some that are very enjoyable and still stand up years later – for a combination of reasons, Midnight Run is one of these and, for my money is a great street smart comedy. Of course it is still a genre film but the plot is well written combining a reasonably engaging story with a fun series of set pieces. While it is not laugh our loud funny apart from maybe once or twice what it does manage is to have a comic tone to it and a great sense of fun and energy throughout. It is hard to describe but it is one of those films that just feels comfortable and fun to watch.

A major part of this is the fantastic playing of the actors – the cast and their chemistry go a long way to making this a better film that it may have been in other, less able, hands. De Niro plays his well-practiced tough guy but allows himself to be the butt of humour if not out and out jokes. What he (and the writers) did very well was to keep the audience on his side even though he was basically transporting Jonathon to his death! He comes off as a likable guy and De Niro takes what many other actors have made into a clichéd part and really made it his own. His easy chemistry with Grodin also helps a lot and the two really so work together thanks to a good comic performance from him. Of course in a more serious film, Jonathon as he was would be very unrealistic but Grodin's delivery suits the material and tone of the film perfectly. The support cast are all given minor roles to share out and they all contribute in their own little way. Kotto gives plenty of laughs with a minor character. Ashton has less time and a less likable character but still does OK; Farina could not look more 'mob' if he tried; Pantoliano swears a lot and is amusing while minor roles for the like of Walters and Hall add to the cast in cameos. While the film has a deep cast, it really belongs to De Niro and Grodin, both of whom really deliver and have an easy chemistry between them befitting the genre.

If I had a complaint it would be the sheer volume of swear words in the film; the first time I saw it was on ITV (that most notorious of editors – they cut whole scenes out of Die Hard due to swearing!) and it was cut to shreds with plenty of badly dubbed lines and scenes just removed due to language. Personally I'm not overly bothered by it but it is such a fun film that it seems a shame to make it unsuitable for children by such liberal use of the F word (one or two can be forgiven but every other word pretty much makes it unsuitable), but I suppose it is all part of the tough but fun tone of the film and I enjoy it regardless.

Overall this is not one of the greatest films ever nor one of De Niro's best but it is a very, very good genre film and, in my mind, stands out from many other buddy-style movies that have been made in the crime/thriller sort of mould. The plot mixes a good story with many fun set pieces and keeps a solidly enjoyable pace all the way through while a roundly strong cast all make better use of the script than lesser actors could have done. A very enjoyable genre film and one that I will keep coming back to due to its reliable mix of pace, energy, fun and excitement.

Strange Friendship While on the Run

[shelbythuylinh · 7/10 · 5 December 2021]

Would be cop turned bounty hunter Robert De Niro has to get the Duke an accountant for the mafia there from NY to LA while the FBI led by the late Yaphett Koto warns him not to get involved, the mafia that wants both men dead, and a rival bounty hunter in John Ashton from "Beverly Hills Cop"

DeNiro's pay on the line is $100K from his boss at the bail bonds there. As he and the late Charles Grodin play off each other well in a strange friendship on it there.

Both Grodin and Kotto passed away in 2021.

Are you doing the litmus configuration?

[the_mad_mckenna · 10/10 · 23 August 2002]

I was lucky enough to see this one in the theatre when it came out. Martin Brest is one of the truly underrated directors of his time for comedy - this film just is PERFECT. A great road/buddy movie that is made for adults - more like "One flew over the cukoo's nest" than "cannonball run", really. All the supporting characters are great as well...Witness Dennis Farina talking to his Vegas Lawyer, played by Philip Baker Hall (not the first time he would be a guy in a suit in Vegas named Sidney!), Yaphet Kotto as a frustrated agent or Joe Pants as the shady Bail bondsman.

The pacing, dialogue, story, acting, editing are all top notch - I just love this one.

A rare example of an action-comedy that's actually both thrilling and funny.

[Pjtaylor-96-138044 · 7/10 · 14 March 2018]

'Midnight Run (1988)' is a rare example of an action-comedy that's both thrilling and funny. It's a broadly bombastic but equally investing and small-scale character study that's unpredictably interesting and genuinely affecting. It's the core relationship that keeps the piece together, two relatable men caught at the centre of a somewhat unrelatable situation, and the way in which they remain utterly true to their occasionally deceptive characters is uncommonly impressive, as is the fact that a simple tongue-in-cheek argument is just as entertaining as a helicopter crash - if not more. 7/10

Great Mix Of Comedy & Crime

[ccthemovieman-1 · 9/10 · 16 December 2005]

Way too much objectionable language is the only fault of this otherwise extremely-entertaining film that is justifiably popular.

Humor is what makes this "crime film" stand out as tough guys Robert De Niro, Joe Pantoliano, John Ashton, Dennis Farina and others provide a lot of laughs as not-so-tough guy Charles Grodin is escorted from New York to Los Angeles to face retribution from a mob boss.

The dialog between Grodin and his bounty hunter captive De Niro, is terrific all the way through. The soundtrack, featuring the guitar of Ry Cooder, also is outstanding and adds to the fun of this film.

The capper to this likable story is the satisfying ending, which almost everyone seems to like.

low key role for deniro

[ksf-2 · 7/10 · 19 December 2021]

Deniro is walsh, retired cop turned bounty hunter in california. He has five days to find a guy who ripped off the mob boss (farina). Charles grodin,who did mostly dry comedy, is mardukas, living somewhere in new york. But everyone seems to want to find mardukas even more than his bail bondsman. Can walsh track him down before the fbi or the mob move in to take mardukas into their own hands? Deniro had already won both his oscars, and pretty much had his choice of roles at this point. Mardukas seems to be having fun being taken in.... at one point, he points out how bad walsh's diet is, and that he shouldn't smoke, if he wants to live a long life. And mardukas has ripped off the mob and is trying to avoid getting snuffed out! He seems to enjoy small talk with walsh, sometimes chuckling to himself. Directed by martin brest. Directed beverly hills cop. Had some hits and misses in his list. Great script. Story by george gallo.... he has a ton of things currently in production. This one is pretty solid, but it looks like there were sequels, and that doesn't usually go well.

The best movie of all time.

[Brogan · 10/10 · 19 April 2000]

What can one say about their favorite movie? A movie that would make one laugh, in suspense, excited, and even touched. A film that takes two personalities which clash, and learn to get along with each other, to where they actually care for one another in the end. A film that touches one's soul, is a film that one can consider to be their favorite of all time. Robert De Niro plays Jack Walsh, a ex-Chicago police officer who is currently a bounty hunter. He works in Los Angeles for Eddie Moscone (Joe Pantoliano) who is a bail bonds man. Eddie offers Jack a job to catch and bring back the infamous Jonathan "the Duke" Markukas (Charles Grodin). Jonathan is a accountant who stole millions of Jimmy Serrano's (Dennis Farina) money, and gave it all to charity. Jonathan jumped bail and is in hiding. Jack needs to find John, bring him to the L.A. county jail within four days, and Jack will collect 100 thousand dollars. Jack does find John, in New York City, the first day. But Jack has many people following him. First there's the FBI, led by Alonzo Mosely (Yaphet Kotto) who wants John to testify against Jimmy Serrano. Second there's Tony Darvo (Richard Foronjy) and Robert Miranda (Joey), two dim-wits working for Serrano, who want John dead. Then there is Marvin Dofler (John Ashton), another bounty hunter who wants John also, but for a smaller price.

From there on, it's a cross country trip which involve all of the men looking for Jack and John. A film which has some very exciting moments with action. Other moments where the scenes are intense where Jack and John's lives are in danger. And scenes where the two men share each other's thoughts and feelings, which surprisingly makes the movie touching. The acting by De Niro is at his best. He does his usual tough guy attitude, but he also mixes it with some humor, and emotions. Charles Grodin is also great as the sensitive accountant who is the exact opposite of Jack's personality. And Dennis Farina is funny and scary as the outraged mob boss who has a vicious attitude. The music by Danny Elfman, I find to be his career best. It's not like his famous BATMAN, BETTLEJUICE, or SLEEPY HOLLOW style of score. It's more like a mixture classic Chicago rhythm and blues, which even Elfman himself considered to be his most unusual score. The writing by George Gallo is also excellent. He manages to fit a cross country story within two hours of time, while still bringing out personalities of the characters and making sure there are no holes in the plot. He also manages to have some very funny scenes involving Jack and John. And the direction by Martin Brest is outstanding. He keeps the movie at a very fast pace, without any slowing down. He does brilliant moves like having De Niro and Grodin improvising their lines while arguing. Brest also does a great job by making the film enjoyable for it's 125 minutes. This is a movie that touched me, it can be considered a "man's" movie on the surface. But take apart this film, and it's also a film that women can enjoy also. The most emotional scenes involve Jack seeing his ex-wife and daughter after not seeing them for ten years. It shows that everybody makes a mistake in life, and that we can all try to forgive people that emotionally hurt us. People say that one can identify a person's personality by the movies and music that they like. To find out what I am like, pop in this movie into your DVD player or VCR, and you'll see. Saying this movie is better than CITIZEN KANE, STAR WARS, GODFATHER, and GONE WITH THE WIND is a pretty bold statement. But, the character of Jack Walsh shows my personality. This is the way I am, therefore it's my favorite movie of all time. And I'm not the only one, Robert De Niro said on a interview on Oprah Winfrey, that this is his most enjoyable film that he's done. ***** (out of five; THE BEST MOVIE OF ALL TIME)

This is a comedy BECAUSE of Grodin!

[annuig · 7/10 · 12 May 2021]

De Niro does his usual acting but the main and only reason this movie becomes an excellent comedy is because of Charles Grodin. He is charming, hilarious and his timing is impeccable.

Didn't do much for me at all.

[poolandrews · 5/10 · 30 May 2008]

Midnight Run starts in Los Angeles where ex-Chicago cop Jack Walsh (Robert De Niro) works as a bounty hunter looking for & capturing criminals who have jumped bail & then collect the reward from bondsman Eddie Moscone (Joe Pantoliano), Jack doesn't like it but it's a living. Eddie ask's Jack to find ex-accountant Jonathan 'the Duke' Mardukas (Charles Grodin) who stole fifteen million dollars from a Las Vegas mobster named Jimmy Serrano (Dennis Farina) & has run out on Eddie owing him $450,000 in bail money. Eddie needs the Duke back within five days, Jack accepts the job & finds the Duke in New York but getting him back to Los Angeles turns out to more difficult than Jack had thought with the FBI, gangsters & rival bounty hunters on their tails...

Produced & directed by Martin Brest (who also has a small cameo in the film as the Airline ticket clerk at Las Vegas) I notice that Midnight Run seems to be a very popular film which I can't relate to at all, in fact I think it's average at best & boring rubbish at worst. The script by George Gallo takes the buddy buddy mismatched partners thrown into some comedy crime caper action thriller template & turns it into a staggeringly uneventful two hours. I am sorry but to me the vast majority of Midnight Run is just bland chit chat between Walsh & the Duke as lots of other interested parties chase them across America. A lot of films use the whole mismatched partner thing & use it to create tensions, be it racial tension as in Lethal Weapon (1987) or class tension as in Tango & Cash (1989) & here in Midnight Run it's the whole criminal vs lawman type tensions. The action scenes are poor & don't live too long in the memory. The script also likes to throw in profanity at every opportunity just for the hell of it, it seems almost every second word is a swear word & while I have nothing against profanity the sheer amount of it in Midnight Run smacks of swearing for swearing's sake. The character's are also poor, we hardly ever find anything out about the Duke, Walsh comes across better but then it's clichés all the way with the typical Las Vegas mobster, the FBI man who Walsh manages to stay one step ahead of all the time & the rival bounty hunter who just can't quite get the better of Walsh. With lots of people chasing around after each I was expecting some sort of huge climax but even that is low key & forgettable. Also I thought Walsh tracked the Duke down rather easily, I mean the FBI couldn't find him, Las Vegas gangsters couldn't find him but little old Jack Walsh could. In the space of a single day too.

Director Brest was obviously hired by Paramount to make another comedy action thriller in the vein of his previous film Beverly Hills Cop (1984), which coincidentally also contains a foul mouthed cop character, & wanted to cast Cher as Mardukas, & then Robin Williams but Brest hired Grodin against the studios wishes & Paramount dropped the film with Universal then stepping in to take over production. Apparently Bruce Willis was considered for the Mardukas role but was turned down & as such he went on to make Die Hard (1988), both films opened on the same weekend & it's fair to say Willis would have the last laugh. The action scenes really are forgettable, there's a crashing helicopter, an average car chase & that's it.

With a supposed budget of about $30,000,000 Midnight Run is well made for what it is but most of it is rather talky for my tastes. The acting is alright, De Niro is just a fine actor anyway but I thought Grodin was poor & uncharismatic.

Midnight Run is an average buddy buddy mismatched partner type comedy crime caper, I can't say I hated it but I can't say I loved it either. Followed by three made-for-telly sequels, Another Midnight Run (1994), Midnight Runaround (1994) & Midnight Run for Your Life (1994).