Friday Film Noir

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Midnight Run (1988) is Martin Brest's classic buddy comedy thriller about a cynical bounty hunter chasing a high-stakes target. Jack Walsh (Robert De Niro) is hired to bring in Jonathan "The Duke" Mardukas (Charles Grodin), a mild-mannered mob accountant who skipped a $450,000 bail. What should be a simple flight from New York to Los Angeles quickly devolves into a chaotic cross-country road trip as Jack is forced to dodge the FBI, the mafia, and a rival bounty hunter.

Robert De Niro was cast in part to play against his established dramatic persona, and he worked closely with Charles Grodin to develop the film’s rhythm, with Grodin deliberately underplaying scenes to contrast De Niro’s intensity. The role of Mardukas had previously been associated with Robin Williams, who was considered during development before Grodin was cast, shifting the tone away from improvisational comedy toward controlled, dialogue-driven exchanges. The film’s success redefined De Niro’s range, leading to more roles that mixed drama with comedy.

1988 • R • 2h 6m
Rotten Tomatoes: 95%
Holy Unknown Grade: A+
Worldwide Gross: 81M
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