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
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