| | | | Midnight Run
(1988) |
f you've never seen Robert DeNiro in a comedic role, there's no better place to start than Midnight Run.
Midnight Run tells the story of Jack Walsh, former Chicago policeman-turned-bounty hunter, on the trail of a bail-jumping accountant, Jonathan Mardukas (Grodin), who embezzles $15 million and donates it all to charity after discovering the money's mob connections. According to Eddie Moscone (Joe Pantoliano), his bounty hunter boss, it's "just a Midnight Run"
But Walsh has his work cut out for him as he not only has to get 'The Duke' back to L.A. in order for Walsh to earn a hundred grand (and retire into the restaurant business), but he also has to protect The Duke from capture by both the FBI and the Mafia.
Walsh, using his cop-savvy, quickly tracks The Duke down and gets him into custody. An extreme personality conflict between the hard-edged, dry witted, foul-mouthed, chain-smoking Walsh, and the mild-mannered, health conscious, slippery Mardukas pervades the film, as the pair must make their way across country in three days. On their journey, Mardukas urges Walsh to open up and tell him about his past. Their hilarious bickering eventually develops into respect for one another, and the two men begin to see that they are not really so different. In a touching scene, they briefly visit Jack's ex-wife and daughter, and Mardukas begins to find some of the answers to the many probing personal questions he has hounded Jack with.
As a team, they waltz in the grey area between right and wrong, Walsh as the dishonoured bounty hunter, and Mardukas as the wanted criminal with the morality on his side. This odd dynamic is the platform for the incredible humor in the film, and the ingenious way in which this sarcastic banter becomes the rapport of two men with a common bond.
The two slip past the FBI, headed by Agent Alonso Mosely (Kotto), as Walsh cleverly swipes Alonso's badge. Bail bondsman Eddie Moscone (Pantoliano) is beside himself with joy once Walsh informs him of capturing the Duke, but somehow, Walsh and The Duke miss their plane to L.A...
Enter Marvin Dorfler (John Ashton), rival bounty hunter sent in by Moscone once he learns Walsh and The Duke miss their flight. Dorfler's most redeeming characteristic is his drive to get the job done, as long as there's a buck at the other end.
Mafia Boss Jimmy Serrano (Farina) is thoroughly entertaining to watch in his flustered, angrily witty state throughout the film. Serrano sends two of his henchmen (Foronjy and Miranda) after Walsh, The Duke, and whomever else might lead to the pair. The henchmen seem to have one brain between them, and they add more of a 'bumbling factor' to the piece.
Walsh and The Duke continue to elude Dorfler, the FBI and the Mafia, sometimes working as a team, sometimes working against one another, always batting insults back at one another, providing 'laugh out loud' humor several times throughout the film, as they cross the country using any and every means possible. The viewer constantly wonders which one of these two opposites will drive each other insane first with their constant bickering. The viewers also get a glimpse of real feeling between the two characters of Walsh and The Duke, as Mardukas convinces Walsh to visit his ex-wife and daughter, whom Walsh hasn't seen in years. At the conclusion of the movie, Walsh returns the favor (you'll have to watch to find out how).
Midnight Run perfectly balances humor, sensitivity and action into a hilarious, action-packed 'buddy' movie of a totally original kind. Check it out!
 Don't forget that Midnight Run is now available to order on Widescreen DVD using our special 80s Retro Assistant...
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Midnight Run is a legendary 80's action comedy. Expertly directed by Martin Brest ("Beverly Hills Cop", "Scent of a Woman"), and perfectly penned by George Gallo, DeNiro and Grodin set the screen on fire with their complex and beautifully timed performances. Rarely has such an unlikely comedy pairing provided such onscreen chemistry.
Midnight Run is also very much an ensemble piece with terrific performances from bail bonds duo Jack Kehoe ("I'll go get the doughnuts") and Joe Pantoliano "Jack I love ya!"), and fellow road warrior John Ashton, the likeable rogue who suffers violent humiliations in his quest for the $$$.
The movie proved De Niro's undisputed comic ability beyond a shadow of a doubt, making him the most versatile actor working in cinema at the time. Scenes such as the 'Litmus Configuration,' - "Oh I'm sure we're completely safe" or the "How much is coffee? How much is tea?" exchange, make this film a non-stop laugh riot.
Alongside ("Beverly Hills Cop" (which also saw John Ashton teaming up with Eddie Murphy) and "Lethal Weapon", - Midnight Run is an 80's buddy movie par-excellance!
Now make your own Midnight Run to the video store and rent this puppy!
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Grodin has permanent scars resulting from the real handcuffs he had to wear for a great deal of the film. 
A 'Midnight Run' drinking game has been created (for those over 21, please). See link.
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check out this list: ..... Angel ..... Raiders of the Lost Ark ..... Beverly Hills Cop ..... Die Hard ..... Predator ..... Terminator ..... Black Rain ..... 48 HRS ..... Untouchables ..... Lethal Weapon ..... Rocky IV ..... Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior ..... Top Gun ..... Highlander ..... Streets Of Fire ..... Commando .....[More]
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Universal Studios wanted to cast Robin Williams instead of Charles Grodin. Williams was eager to play the part, willing to do many screen tests. Director Martin Brest was so impressed with the way that Grodin and Robert De Niro worked together that he cast Grodin against the wishes of the studio.
De Niro spent time with bounty hunters as part of his preparation for this role.
Grodin changed a line in the screenplay from "As an accountant" to "As your accountant" to show the growing bond between the two characters.
Grodin's line "Have you ever had sex with a chicken" was an unscripted line he improvised on the spot to prepare De Niro for the scene.
All of Dennis Farina's (Jimmy Serrano) scenes were shot on location in Las Vegas. At the time, he was there filming his TV series "Crime Story." -Thanks to James
When Jack first meets Alonzo and his FBI cohorts, he manages to steal Alonzo's badge, which is important to the rest of the movie. However, just as they meet, the other FBI guys grab Jack and then he's in the back seat with them and at no time is he anywhere close enough to Alonzo to take his badge.
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|  |  |  | | Midnight Run
Locations |
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I suspect the helicopter chase was shot on the US highway 60, east of Phoenix, from Superior to Globe. The scene takes further on US 60 from Globe to Show Low. The bridge scene, where Jack shoot the helicopter, might be at the US 60 crossing over Salt River Canyon. Can anyone confirm? [Thanks to Chip]
The "phony $20 bill scene in Red's saloon was clearly filmed in the town of Williams, Arizona (30 miles West of Flagstaff). The saloon is now a restaurant called Pancho McGillicuddy's.
The next scene shot at a Circle K convenience store is just down the street on old Route 66 with the Santa Fe Railroad and tree covered mountains in the background. [Thanks to Jim Poley]
The scene in which Jack and Jonathan are in the river was actually shot in New Zeland to accomidate for the warm water with the shooting schedule (the ending credits shows New Zeland as location shots)
The New Mexico town of Channing (where the Lipmus Configuration scene was done at Red's Corner Bar) is actually Williams Arizona. The bar is now a Mexican Food Restaurant, however the Circle K is still there with the railroad tracks right by it.
Grodin explains in his book "It Would Be So Nice If You Weren't Here" that the old man at the bar, during the Lipmus Configuration scene, that Grodin questions when posing as a federal agent was shocked to hear that he was the same age as Grodin.
The McCarran Airport scene shot in Las Vegas was shot at the departures terminal.
The scene of the town after Jack and Jonathan jump off the train when Jack steals the convertible 4 X 4 was shot in Winslow, Arizona. Then the picture jumps to the scenes that were shot in Sedona, Arizona.
The cafe that Jack stops by after losing Jonathan to Marvin is in Sedona, but is now a comsmic style diner. [Thanks to Patrick Brogan]
The "chorizo and eggs" scene in the diner was filmed in Globe, AZ, at a diner called La Luz del Dia on Main St. The alley where De Niro and Grodin are accosted by Cerranos's thugs is on the same street. [Thanks to Jeff]
Can you help? Do you know any of the (or any other) filming locations used for Midnight Run? [Please send them in]
|  | | | | ![[16:9 -Widescreen Enhanced]](16_9.gif) | ![[STEREO or SURROUND]](dd2.gif) | Trailer, Featurette |
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The soundtrack was an outstanding effort from Danny Elfman who really broke his mould here to produce a southern-fried, brass-riffing, uptempo country-rock, bluesy slide-guitar fest which keeps you bouncing right to the closing credits.
The CD was released on MCA (MCAD6250) but is quite hard to find these days with copies fetching upwards of $30 - $50.
The melody found in much of the background music thoughout the movie is echoed in "Try to Believe," a song written by Danny Elfman and found on Oingo Boingo's "Dark at the end of the Tunnel" album. [Thanks to Joan]
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