| Product: |
Midnight Run (DVD) |
| Date: |
12/09/00 (28 review reads) |
| Rating: |
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Advantages: Excellent performances
Disadvantages: The swearing may offend
***
The following review was written in september 2000. I have left the review untouched but have placed an update at the end to cover any changes since it was written.
***
When ex-Chicago cop turned bounty hunter, Jack Walsh (Robert De Niro), finds out his latest job is to track down and bring in sensitive accountant Jonathan Mardukas (Charles Grodin) , he thinks he's in for an easy ride. Little does he realise that not only is he up against a rival bounty hunter, but the accountant is wanted by the mob (as he embezzled $15 million from them and gave it to charity before jumping bail!) and the FBI.
Released in 1988, this quickly became my favourite action/comedy film and twelve years on its still as fresh and enjoyable as the first time I saw it. It's directed by Martin Brest who also gave us Beverly Hills Cop four years earlier. Although that was a major hit, Midnight Run seems to have slipped by largely unnoticed and that is a major shame since it is the far superior of the two.
De Niro, in a welcome change of pace from his more familiar roles such as in The Godfather Part 2, Heat and Goodfellas, proves just how well suited he is to a comedy roll and Grodin perfectly portrays the resourceful accountant. This pairing provides perhaps the best combination of characters seen in any 'buddy' movie before or since.
While both lead actors are easily able to carry the film alone, Midnight Run doesn't need it. Backed up by a superb supporting cast including John Ashton as the rival bounty hunter, Marvin and Yaphet Kotto as FBI Agent Alonzo Mosely, this film has a fast but perfectly paced script, is full of quick-fire wit and has a satisfying conclusion. Even the score by Danny Elfman is suitably rousing.
In case you are a bit on the sensitive side you should be warned about the swearing. There is rather a lot of it. But if it doesn't bother you then do yourself a favour and either hire it or buy it but whatever you do avoid the very watered down version that occasionally appears on BBC1.
Midnight run is an 18 certificate and is currently available on budget video at around £4.99. The DVD edition is due to be released this month (September 2000) at about £20, although by all reports the DVD is lacking any of the additional features that make this format so perfect for a movie addict like me. Still with my video copy currently getting very thin from excessive use I shall probably be in the queue anyway.
In summary, you must see this film. It will be the best two hours of any action/comedy/buddy/road movie you are likely to see for a long time yet. Films this perfect do not come round very often. Miss it at your own peril.
Thanks for reading.
© Nomad 2000
***
Update - August 2005
Nothing major to add to this, it's still an absolute joy to watch, but I just thought I'd let you know that the DVD is now available for about £6 from Play.com and at that price you cannot go wrong.
***
Summary: The light side of De Niro in an overlooked comedy classic.
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