Details
Movie Description
Robert De Niro and Charles Grodin star in this hilarious action-packed blockbuster. Jack Walsh (De Niro) is a cynical ex-cop turned bounty hunter who is offered $100,000 to bring Jonathan "the Duke" Mardukas (Grodin) to justice. Jonathan is a sensitive accountant who embezzled from the mob, gave the money to charity, and jumped bail. Jack begins what he believes will be a relatively standard trip with his prisoner from New York to Los Angeles until he learns that Jonathan owes 15 million dollars to mobster Jimmy Serrano (Dennis Farina), who has put a hit out on the neurotic and wimpy accountant and will stop at nothing to capture the wanted man. To complicate matters, the FBI is also after the accountant to testify against the mob. The two unlikely partners suffer a hysterical trip via plane, train, and car as they attempt to outrun Jonathan's enemies, forced to endure many outrageous twists and turns as a bickering team. MIDNIGHT RUN features great comic timing and fast-pasted banter between Grodin and De Niro as they lead the chase, set to a fabulous soundtrack by Danny Elfman.
Film Notes
Theatrical release: July 20, 1988.
Estimated budget: $30 million.
Universal Studios initially wanted Robin Williams to play the part of Jonathan Mardukas, but director Martin Brest cast Charles Grodin after watching De Niro and Grodin read together.
Director's cameo: Martin Brest appears as an airline ticket clerk.
Filmed in Chicago, Illinois; Las Vegas, Nevada; New York City; Los Angeles, California; Arizona; Michigan; and New Zealand. Filming began October 26, 1987.
The film screened at the 1988 Deauville Film Festival.
Industry Reviews
"...There isn't a single performance in MIDNIGHT RUN that doesn't have a pulse..."
Los Angeles Times - Michael Wilmington (07/20/1988)
"...One of the '80s best road movies..."
Total Film - Nick Hunt (10/01/2000)
"Watching Grodin is a master class in minimalism and proof that timing really is everything."
Total Film - Neil Smith (12/01/2006)
Quotations
"Smoking or non-smoking?"--Airline employee
"Take a wild guess."--Marvin Dorfler (John Ashton), lit cigarette in mouth, exhaling smoke
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