Midnight Run is a buddy/road picture that is reminiscent of the Bob Hope and Bing Crosby films of years gone by. Robert DeNiro makes is first comedic role as foul mouthed bounty hunter Jack Walsh, who is sent after a bail jumper played by Charles Grodin who has taken millions of dollars from a mobster (Dennis Farina) and given most of the film to charity. The chase is on as the mob, the FBI (led by Yaphet Kotto) and another bounty hunter (John Ashton) pursue the pair from New York City to Los Angeles.Midnight Run is a great action/comedy film. Let's call it what the Cannonball Run tried to be. DeNiro was still in his prime with this film and plays the crusty Jack Walsh with his usual precision (at least twenty years ago). It's the interaction between DeNiro and Grodin that steals the show. These two are the definition of oil and water and most of their conversations end up in hilarity because DeNiro just can't take it anymore. DeNiro and Grodin play off each other nicely.
I was surprised by how well this film has aged, other than the fact that DeNiro's character smokes in airports, on buses, etc. Most of the films of this vintage tend to date themselves with obscure '80's references, such as Martin Brest's film prior to this one Beverly Hills Cop. Midnight Run is still as fresh as it was 20 years ago. A great picture that shows how versatile DeNiro could be.
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