You don't see a decent action comedy every day (Midnight Run (DVD))

Name: Sputnik_257

Hello doyoo user, You have to be logged in to use these functions... Login or register Close window

Send message to member

Product:	Midnight Run (DVD)
Date:	21/07/01 (43 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Robert DeNiro, Some fine acting

Disadvantages: Many aspects were anything but original

Hey, silly little action comedies aren't supposed to be any good, are they? Well to my great surprise, this silly little action comedy is in fact very enjoyable - and stars Robert DeNiro in a surprising role. DeNiro plays Jack Walsh, who after leaving the police force due to its corruption became a freelancer, picking up criminals and turning them in for cash. Distanced from his ex-wife and child and fed up with his job (naturally) he takes one last (big) contract to bring in Jonathan "The Duke" Mardukas (Charles Grodin), who's wanted for stealing a crime boss' (Serrano, played by Dennis Farina) money and giving it to charity. What an unoriginal idea for a film. Luckily, it's spiced up immeasurably by the unfortunate turns and strange coincidences hindering Walsh's trek back to Los Angeles from New York. For most of the film, Walsh is seen dragging Mardukas over America to bring him to jail. Naturally, there are parties other than Mardukas who don't want Walsh taking him in. The FBI (personified by Yaphet Kotto) wanted him to get to the big boss, who in turn wants Mardukas dead before he can talk of his secrets condemning Serrano. Add a second bounty hunter who wants to bring in Mardukas himself, and a confused and desperate Joe Pantoliano as the bail bondsman behind all the mess.

When I started watching the film, I had no idea that it was a comedy - if I had I'd have been put off instantly. So allowing the hilarity to pop up unexpected, I found Midnight Run very easy and fun to watch. It's certainly funny, but not in an immature way. It also has action - a few decent shootouts and car chases litter the film.

Robert DeNiro couldn't give a bad performance if he tried, and Midnight Run is a perfect example of him taking an average film and adding to it greatly. His subtle comedy side slips out, as he trudges around with Grodin in tow. Emotion is held brilliantly, little quirks enhanced
, anger and frustration vented in style - far, far from any of DeNiro's best work, he still gives a well above average performance. Grodin also gives a commendable contribution to the film, most of all in comedy. With perhaps the only character with more than a handful of brain cells, he plays both sensible and dumb at the same time, both ominous and scared, calm and angered. All the time feeding comedy onto the screen, and handing DeNiro platefuls of comic opportunity (which is reciprocated). The two act very well together (although DeNiro is always dominant), as we watch their characters warm to each other, in amongst moments of anger.

Dennis Farina does a fine job of the big boss, acting intimidating only through his words, the rest of him looking calm and collected. On the opposite side of the law, Yaphet Kotto gives a wonderful performance as the FBI agent chasing after Walsh, with a powerful presence and some great comic touches. The only other primary actor in the film is John Ashton as the half-brained bounty hunter trying to steal Walsh's catch, who does a reasonable job of idiot, but offers little more than a few laughs.

Add to the film a happy and enjoyable musical score, and a surprisingly good end set-up (although the very end was rather disappointing and anything but original, the twenty minutes beforehand were genuinely exciting). Midnight Run was a real surprise - everything about the film says "average" except one thing - Robert DeNiro, who along with Charles Grodin makes a very entertaining action comedy for a light-hearted evening.

Summary: