Midnight Run Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A grumpy bounty hunter and a neurotic accountant become besties while being chased across America by the mob, the FBI, and a hilariously inept rival, all because everyone wants a piece of The Duke’s stolen cash.

🍿 Midnight Run: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Bounty Hunter and the Accountant

Jack Walsh, a former Chicago cop turned bounty hunter, is tasked with bringing Jonathan ‘The Duke’ Mardukas, an accountant who embezzled $15 million from the mob, from New York to Los Angeles. This seems like a straightforward ‘midnight run’ for a $100,000 fee, but it quickly becomes complicated. The FBI, led by Agent Mosely, also wants Mardukas to testify against the mob.

A Cross-Country Chase

Mardukas’s fear of flying forces Walsh to transport him across the country using various modes of transportation. They are constantly pursued by the FBI, the mob (led by Jimmy Serrano), and a rival bounty hunter, Marvin Dorfler. This leads to a series of chaotic and humorous encounters as Walsh tries to keep Mardukas safe and on track to Los Angeles.

Building a Bond

Despite their initial antagonism and clashing personalities, Walsh and Mardukas begin to develop a reluctant respect for each other. Mardukas’s insightful questions force Walsh to confront his past and the reasons he left the police force. The difficult journey and shared experiences create an unexpected bond between them.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Jack Walsh (Robert De Niro): A tough, cynical ex-cop turned bounty hunter tasked with transporting an accountant across the country.
• Jonathan Mardukas (Charles Grodin): A quirky, neurotic accountant who embezzled millions from the mob and is being transported by Jack.
• Jimmy Serrano (Dennis Farina): The ruthless mob boss who wants Mardukas dead for stealing his money and potentially incriminating him.
• Alonzo Mosely (Yaphet Kotto): The determined FBI agent who is after Mardukas to testify against Serrano and is constantly frustrated by Jack.
• Marvin Dorfler (John Ashton): The inept rival bounty hunter hired by Eddie Moscone, who constantly interferes with Jack’s mission.
• Eddie Moscone (Joe Pantoliano): The frantic bail bondsman who hires Jack to bring in Mardukas, facing financial ruin if he fails.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Jack Walsh: “Shut up! I’m gonna kill you!” – Jack frequently yells this at Mardukas throughout their journey when he gets annoyed.
• Jonathan Mardukas: “You know, you’re just the mirror image of me. I don’t fly, you don’t relate.” – Mardukas makes this observation while trying to analyze Jack’s personality and emotional issues.
• Jimmy Serrano: “Is this moron number one? Put moron number two on the phone.” – Serrano says this while trying to get information from his incompetent henchmen.
• Jack Walsh: “96 bottles of beer on the wall, 96 bottles of beer…” – Jack sings to annoy Mardukas, who is trying to sleep, and drive him crazy during their travels.
• Jonathan Mardukas: “I have Fistophobia.” – Jonathan lists his many phobias to frustrate Jack and get his way.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $35,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $38,413,606
• Worldwide Gross: $81,613,606

💥 Midnight Run Reviews

Personal Review

I absolutely love Midnight Run! The first time I watched it, I was hooked by the unlikely duo of De Niro and Grodin. The humor is smart, the action is exciting, and the soundtrack is fantastic. There’s a scene where they are on the train, and De Niro tries to get Grodin to be quiet by singing “99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall” and it cracks me up every time. It’s one of those movies I can watch over and over again and still enjoy.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of buddy cop movies”
  • “Viewers who appreciate clever dialogue and witty humor”
  • “Those who enjoy road trip adventures”
  • “Fans of Robert De Niro and Charles Grodin”
  • “People looking for a well-crafted action comedy”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Strong language”
  • “Mild violence”
  • “Suggestive dialogue”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “Midnight Run is a delightful blend of action and comedy, showcasing the unexpected chemistry between De Niro and Grodin. Brest directs with a steady hand, keeping the pace brisk and the laughs coming. The supporting cast is equally strong, making this a thoroughly enjoyable ride.
• RogerEbert.com: “Ebert: De Niro delivers a surprisingly effective comedic performance, perfectly complementing Grodin’s dry wit. The film’s strength lies in its character development and the genuine bond that forms between the two leads amidst the chaos.
• The New York Times: “Maslin: Midnight Run works because it’s more than just a buddy movie; it’s a character study wrapped in a crime caper. De Niro and Grodin are brilliant together, elevating the material beyond typical action-comedy fare.

Audience Reactions

The comedic timing between De Niro and Grodin is absolutely perfect.: Viewers consistently praise the film’s witty dialogue and the heartwarming connection between the two leads.

The blend of action and humor keeps you engaged from start to finish.: Many highlight the film’s ability to balance thrilling action sequences with genuine comedic moments.

Overall Consensus: A beloved action-comedy celebrated for its sharp writing, engaging performances, and the unforgettable chemistry between Robert De Niro and Charles Grodin.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The boxcar scene, where Jack Walsh and Jonathan Mardukas discuss whether or not they could ever be friends, was almost entirely improvised on-set.”
• “Director Martin Brest told Charles Grodin to come up with something that was guaranteed to make even Robert De Niro laugh, which led to the famous line, ‘You ever had sex with an animal, Jack?'”

🖥️ How to Watch Midnight Run?

Midnight Run is available for rent or purchase on various platforms including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for cable on-demand options. At this time, it is not available on major subscription streaming services like Netflix or Hulu.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Midnight Run, you might like these similar films:

• Lethal Weapon (1987): A classic buddy cop action-comedy with mismatched partners forced to work together.
• Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987): Shares the theme of a difficult cross-country journey with two clashing personalities.
• The French Connection (1971): A gritty crime drama from the same era featuring a determined cop battling corruption and criminals.
• The Nice Guys (2016): A modern action-comedy with a buddy dynamic and crime-solving elements.
• Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005): A cult classic blending crime, comedy, and memorable character interactions.

🛒 Midnight Run Related Products

• Midnight Run (Blu-ray): Experience the classic action-comedy in stunning high definition with this Blu-ray edition. Includes special features and behind-the-scenes content.
• Midnight Run Movie Poster: A high-quality print of the original movie poster. Perfect for decorating your home theater or office.
• Funko Pop! Movies: Midnight Run – Jack Walsh: A stylized collectible figure of Jack Walsh in Funko Pop! form.
• Limited Edition Midnight Run T-Shirt: A high-quality t-shirt featuring artwork inspired by the classic movie Midnight Run.

🎧 Soundtrack

Midnight Run features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Main Title” – performed by Danny Elfman
• “Walsh Gets The Duke” – performed by Danny Elfman
• “Come Fly with Me” – performed by Robert De Niro (uncredited)

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

The Best of Jimmy Serrano (Midnight Run)

Get ready for a nostalgic trip down memory lane with this collection of Jimmy Serrano’s funniest moments from the iconic ‘Midnight Run.’ Dennis Farina’s comedic brilliance shines through in these unforgettable scenes.

“Midnight Run” – Joe Pantoliano / Joey Pants (1988)

Join Joe Pantoliano on a wild ride through ‘Midnight Run’! This compilation captures the eccentric charm and comedic timing that made his character Joey Pants such a memorable part of the movie.

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