Movie: Midnight Run
Director: Martin Brest
Cast: Robert De Niro, Charles Grodin, Yaphet Kotto and Joe Pantoliano
Rating: ***
If films such as “Taxi Driver” and “Raging Bull” portrayed the potential of De Niro as an actor, then films such as “King of Comedy” and “Midnight Run” are proof to the actor’s ability to evoke few laughs as a comedian. In probably his second best performance in a comic role after “KOC”, De Niro with great support from Grodin, throws in an entertaining performance in this outing that has equal and satisfying proportion of humor and action.
The story tracks the life of an ex-cop-turned-bounty hunter Jack Walsh (played by De Niro) who picks up any package for a price. Tried and restless of earning pittance through his job, Jack gets an opportunity to roll the dice one last time for a job worth $100,000. He needs to bring in a guy named Jonathan Mardukas alias “The Duke”, ex-accountant of local mobster Jimmy Serrano.
However, “The Duke” is wanted by the feds for jumping bail and by Serrano for stealing $15 million from him and distributing it to the unfortunates of the earth. So when Jack picks up Jonathan, he unknowingly invites the feds and Jimmy’s goons to follow.
The film celebrates the strange friendship between Jack and “The Duke” from New York to Los Angeles. Most part of their relationship is funny and yet presents a share of heartwarming instances that demand sincere contemplation. Jack and Jon pave way to some amusing scenes that lighten up the mood of the film and keeps hope alive. The humor between the two never appears scripted as most of it happens over the course of knowing each other that basically involves short, funny conversations.
The sub-plot that leads us into the troubled marital life of Jack may seem inappropriate, but it adds a new perspective into the film and helps us understand in detail the other side of jack. At the same time, it’s very intelligent on the director’s part to spend minimum time on Jack’s past than diving in deep.
Heavily dependent on the relationship between De Niro and Grodin which makes up to almost 70-80% of the film, “Midnight Run” does rely on brief yet brilliant performances by Joe Pantoliano as Eddie, and Dennis Farina as Jimmy.
Joe as the bondsman is the kind of boss you don’t want around breathing down your throat. Most of his conversations with Jack may be filled with slurs and cuss words but are equally entertaining. Dennis on the other hand as Jimmy, is equally funny and has his share of throwing lot of tantrums around. This is where one gets the feeling that the film has a weak villain who is funnier than evil. But, since the film oscillates between crime and comedy, it’s understandable and could be ignored.
