Director: Martin Brest
Starring: Robert de Niro, Charles Grodin and Philip Baker Hall
‘A Captivating Crime Comedy’
Few actors which achieved fame several years ago are as beloved as Robert De Niro. Since his rise to stardom in the’s, De Niro has become a legendary icon. Whether it’s raging boxers, taxi drivers or frightening gangsters, De Niro has portrayed several memorable characters. Arguably, De Niro’s finest strength as an actor has often been his approach of method acting. He’s one of those rare actors that has always poured both his heart and soul in every single role. An actor with an intense commitment to his craft, De Niro has become a world-famous icon in entertainment. Shining a bright light in darkness, the actor has become a legend in the entertainment business. Through his ability to portray larger than life characters which are compelling, De Niro has created a legacy that’s lasting. Throughout his career, De Niro has starred in countless memorable movies which are definitely without a doubt worth seeing.
I’m a huge fan of De Niro and adore all the movies which he has created in his career. However, “Midnight Run” is absolutely his most underrated work. Released in 1988, Martin Brest’s crime comedy provided an engaging portrait of strong bounty hunters. Packed with breathtaking production, bold storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best crime films ever made. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Robert De Niro, who portrays a bounty hunter that faces sorrow. Ultimately, what makes “Midnight Run” a timeless classic is universal appeal. Unlike most movies made in the 1980’s which are outdated today, it has aged beautifully. A captivating crime comedy, there are several strong reasons why “Midnight Run” is a commemorated movie worth watching.
“Midnight Run” tells the story of a bounty hunter embarking on a dangerous mission. Robert De Niro portrays Jack Walsh, a bold bounty hunter that has always excelled at doing his job of catching criminals causing disaster. However, Walsh’s life dramatically changes when he’s tasked with a mission causing danger. Pursuing the former FBI accountant Jonathan (Charles Grodin), Jack struggles to achieve a win. As all the odds become stacked against his favour, Walsh questions whether it’s possible for him to become a bounty hunter. Over the course of a midnight, Walsh questions if he can overcome the barriers which he has to fight.
Martin Brest has always been fascinated with the lives of cops. A fantastic director, Brest has often produced engaging films about cops whose lives are in grave danger. His iconic movie “Beverly Hills Cop” offered a powerful portrait of a cop seeking to solve crimes in Beverly Hills. With “Midnight Run”, however, Brest made his first crime comedy. It was the filmmaker’s attempts to capture the lives of bounty hunters facing adversity, but he succeeded immensely. Using strong cinematography, Brest captures a powerful bounty hunter embarking on a treacherous journey. Inspired with John McTiernan’s “Die Hard”, Brest successfully uses montages to capture the tensions faced by cops seeking to work very hard. For instance, montages elevate the bounty hunter scene. During this unforgettable scene, Walsh engages in an act of crime causing tension. Using strong montages, Brest crafts a portrait of police which is compelling. Montages are complex techniques to use in most movies. As Martin Scorsese’s “Goodfellas” proved, montages elevate gangster movies. Nevertheless, it works immensely. Using stunning visuals, Brest captures tension bounty hunters are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “Midnight Run” that merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, it’s one of the best crime comedies ever made. Emulating Don Siegel’s “Dirty Harry”, Brest effectively uses costumes to capture hardships which cops are facing. Throughout the movie, the costumes worn by Walsh demonstrate his transformation into a cop. For instance, the costumes elevate the cop interaction scene. During this memorable scene, Walsh has an intense fight with cops that causes tensions. Using stunning costumes, Brest constructs a portrait of cops that’s riveting. Moreover, the musical score is extraordinary. Danny Elfman’s music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the movie tense atmosphere capturing the heavy burden that cops bear. Through strong production, Brest captures the lives of bounty hunters that experience tension.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Midnight Run” is a crime comedy which is engaging. The film is beautifully written, and successfully uses dramatic monologues to capture hardships cops are facing. Evoking Joseph L. Mankiewicz’s “Sleuth”, Brest uses monologues to capture tensions detectives are experiencing. For instance, monologues elevate the cops confession scene. During this unforgettable scene, Walsh delivers an engaging speech about his role as a cop in a corrupt department. Using monologues, Brest creates a portrait of cops audiences relate to. Monologues are a tricky technique to use in movies. As Martin Scorsese’s “Taxi Driver” demonstrated, monologues enhance movies about taxi drivers. Nevertheless, it work immensely in this movie. Through an extraordinary screenplay, Brest captures the lives of corrupt cops that experience a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Robert De Niro delivers one of his greatest career performances as Jack Walsh. De Niro earned appreciation for gangsters in classic crime dramas. With “Midnight Run”, however, he took on his most comedic role. It isn’t easy to portray a bounty hunter that seeks to resolve a crime causing adversity, but he succeeded tremendously. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: charming, funny and emotional in his most underrated role. With riveting expressions, he captures the angst, grief and rebellious spirit of a cop. It’s a powerful performance from one of the most commemorated actors working today.
While the movie is manly a showcase for De Niro, the supporting cast is also exceptional and worthy of appreciation. Charles Grodin is captivating, capturing tensions faced by a FBI agent that’s hunted down by police that is frightening. Joe Pantoliano is powerful, capturing the sorrow of a gangster that has dreams to follow. Lastly, Philip Baker Hall is phenomenal. As a Chicago mobster, he is unforgettable.
Finally, “Midnight Run” would earn praise of everyone for capturing bold cops on the run. Unlike most crime comedies, it tackles bold themes everyone would relate to. It tackles interesting themes including ambition, grief and friendship which would resonate among everyone. Therefore, “Midnight Run” is one of those rare come comedies everyone will adore.
Fans of Robert De Niro would absolutely love “Midnight Run” and so will movie-goers seeking meaningful entertainment. A crime classic, it honours an actor that’s definitely iconic.
Nearly 30 years following the release of a classic crime comedy about bounty hunters seeking to fight obstacles over a midnight, it’s a bright reminder of an actor that has portrayed memorable characters in iconic movies earning spotlight that have always fulfilled audiences’ appetite.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 