Director: Martin Brest Cast: Robert DeNiro, Charles Grodin, Yaphet Kotto & Dennis Farina Plot: Bounty hunter Jack Walsh (Robert DeNiro) is sent to find and return bail jumper and former Mafia accountant, Jonathan "The Duke" Mardukas (Charles Grodin). In order to collect his $100,000 fee, Jack must take The Duke from New York to Los Angeles in less than 5 days but the Mafia, the FBI and a rival bounty hunter have other ideas Reason(s) To Watch Before You Die: There is nothing original about the basic concept of Midnight Run; Odd-couple antagonists become buddies under perilous circumstances but what makes this film stand out is the chemistry between the two leads which elevates the material into one of the best action comedies ever made. DeNiro has the time of his life acting opposite Charles Grodin and proves a dab hand at comedy years before Analyse This or Silver Linings Playbook. Midnight Run makes you care about the characters as it strikes the perfect balance between R-rated violence and characterled humour and that makes you want to spend more time in the company of Jack and The Duke.
