4 out of 4 people found the following review helpful:
My favorite comedy of all timeWednesday, March 02, 2005
I still communicate with friends who also love this flick by using lines from the movie. "Is this moron number one? Put moron number two on the phone." Unreal funny lines run through the whole movie. You gotta love Dennis Farina's mob boss, Yaphet Kotto's fed and especially Joe Pantoliano's bondsman. The chemistry between DeNiro and Grodin's still impressive after all these years and the story has more than one valuable insight on integrity and friendship. I can't think of ANYTHING I don't like about this movie.
3 out of 3 people found the following review helpful:
nostalgic love for DeNiroWednesday, February 16, 2005
When you feel cynicism each time DeNiro does another Analyse That or 15 Minutes, rent or buy this classic and your faith in his greatness will return. Not much needs to be added about how great this movie is, just wanted to add my voice to the chorus.
My favorite scene-and it's tough to pull out one scene from a film which has no weak moments-is also DeNiro's visit to his home and his interaction with his daughter. It is one of the most tender moments in film.
6 out of 7 people found the following review helpful:
Perfect FilmMonday, November 29, 2004
I really can't suggest anything that would make this film better. The acting is top notch, not just from DeNiro and Grodin, but from the entire cast. Each character is well defined and believable. I especially liked Dennis Farina's parody of the tough-talking Mafia boss ("Shut up or I'll shove this pencil through your heart!"), and his two flunkies (Moron #1 and Moron #2). The dialogue is great, and the film is laced with humor--the best kind of humor, situational. There is even a tender awkward moment (when Jack, DeNiro, visits his daughter whom he hasn't seen in years, and she offers to give him her babysitting money which he can't take, although he needs it). The action is non-stop, and if you have to suspend your disbelief at times, it is a small price to pay.
The evolution of the relationship between DeNiro and Grodin's characters, as has been mentioned, is the core of this picture. It is done magnificently and is the reason the film is so great. There are so many great scenes: when DeNiro and Grodin are eating dinner on the train, when they pretend to be from the Treasury Department in order to relieve a bartender of his "counterfeit" 20 dollar bills, the scene in the diner when Grodin, really hungry and broke, asks what's the special today, and the waitress says chorizo and eggs (dig the look on Grodin's face). DeNiro says they can't afford it, and Grodin counters "How about your cigarettes?", and DeNiro says, "I need these." The film is chock full of these delicious scenes--I really can't think of a dull one.
This film is forever. Buy it and see for yourself.
3 out of 3 people found the following review helpful:
Midnight Run (1988)Friday, October 22, 2004
A very underrated comedy, Midnight Run is an excellent film. It has a little drama, romance, and action all thrown in around the journeys of DeNiro and Grodin. These two play off each other extremely well and are the key to the film success. Certainly a complete comedy. Go see it!
5 out of 5 people found the following review helpful:
DeNiro displays his comedic chopsSaturday, September 25, 2004
This film pairs Robert DeNiro and Charles Grodin in a Buddy/ Road film/ Action story combination that results in one of the best pairnings ever in this type of movie. Both actors are in top form and play off of each other beautifully. The supporting cast is also excellent particularly Dennis Farina who delivers a superb performance as a sleazy mob boss who has an endless supply of creative threats to use to motivate his subordinates. Yaphett Koto is also very good as frustrated FBI Inspector Alonzo Mosley. It is the combination of DeNiro and Grodin that really drives the flim and provides both it's best comedy and it's more dramatic moments. One of the best movies of this type I've ever seen. Highly recommended. There are so many memorable lines that the movie holds up to repeated viewings.