Nerds That Geek Movie Review: ‘Midnight Run’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

​The old saying 'variety is the spice of life' exists for one particularly valid reason. Because sometimes we get stuck in a rut, and we need to shake things up to keep our heart and soul invigorated and often times, the need for variety often applies to our chosen career path. 

Because work usually entails a routine, and routine can sometimes lead to boredom. Which means we either take on more work, or push toward a promotion, in an attempt to invigorate and challenge ourselves. But sometimes we come to realize that a particular line of work no longer suits us, or it has come to make us miserable, and we seek out a career change in the hopes of spicing up our days and nights with a new and exciting challenge, and the whole notion of shaking things up career wise was explored in fascinating fashion in the 1988 film, Midnight Run.

Former Chicago police officer Jack Walsh is just trying to get by these days now that life has dealt him some serious blows. Corrupt cops, on the payroll of mobster Jimmy Serrano more or less ruined his life and career as he closed in on arresting Serrano and rather than take a payoff from the mob, Jack left everything behind and became a bounty hunter in Los Angeles. It's work that he despises, and he would give anything to get away from the business and as luck would have it... his golden ticket has arrived. Jonathan 'The Duke' Mardukas, a former accountant for Serrano, who embezzled $15 million from the mobster, was arrested, posted bail and promptly disappeared and it's up to Jack to bring him in, and what makes this particular job so sweet... is the fact that it finally pay him enough to get him away from the bounty hunter life and in the process, he could help bring down Serrano once and for all. But his quest for freedom and justice will be anything but easy...because the Duke is in high demand, and the FBI, Serrano's men and even a rival bounty hunter all want to get their hands-on Jack's big prize.

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There's some sweet irony that comes with this film, in that Robert DeNiro took the role of Jack Walsh to spice up his acting career and well, the need for variety comes across in his performance because DeNiro and the entire cast have a blast in this film, and they should. This is a movie that brings together some fine genres since it's a buddy cop comedy, a road trip flick and a crime/action film all rolled into one and well... every single second of it is genius. The action is thrilling, the laughs are plentiful and just when you think this film is a good old fashioned, fluffy comedy... it surprises you with some meaning.

Because Midnight Run features some incredible depth when it comes to its characters, especially when it comes to Jack. He is after all, a man of honor, one who was willing to walk away from a good life and everything it entailed to keep his conscience clear and has paid the price for it. But is it his infallibility and sense of duty that drives him to redemption since he finally gets his chance to deal with Serrano and because some good things finally come his way. How exactly that all happens, I won't discuss too much seeing as to how that would utterly ruin the plot for you if you haven't seen this, but it is refreshing to sit through a film where the characters flaws come from their greatest strengths and Jack's sense of honor is something that you simply don't see much in film anymore.

Either way, this movie is another one of those forgotten gems. One that I saw as a kid on video and one that I found myself pleasantly surprised with when it popped up on cable the other day and well... it's one that I think others need to revisit as well, because of its rich and thoughtful characters, the laughs that leave you smiling and the sheer satisfaction that it supplies you with by telling a sweeping and complete story that manages to wrap up every single little plot thread with a beautiful bow and truly, it's a shame they don't make movies like this anymore, because watching this again served as a nice little break from the hustle and bustle of sequels and remakes and superheroes.

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