Setting aside the gritty character portrayals, Robert De Niro delivers one of his greatest comic performances, revealing a fine touch for the genre in the process by absolutely nailing his role as a ex-cop Jack Walsh in Martin Brest's (Beverly Hills Cop) cult odd-couple road movie.

Bounty hunter Jack Walsh (De Niro) is a former cop who now works for bondsmen, bringing back clients who have tried to jump bail. And he’s got a new assignment, one that could set him up for retirement. All he needs to do is get bail-jumping accountant Jonathan 'The Duke' Mardukas (Charles Grodin) cross country and back to L.A. by midnight on Friday. But he's not the only one on his trail. You see, The Duke's just embezzled $15 million from the mob and now they want him dead. Trying to get to him first though are the FBI who want him to testify. After just five minutes in 'The Dukes' company Jack mostly just wants him to shut up.

With a razor-sharp script and performances to match, the interplay between De Niro and Grodin is pure comic gold. De Niro especially demonstrates comic timing of the best sort - the kind that allows dramatic scenes to develop amusing undertones while still working seriously on the surface. It proved a precursor of the type of role that he resurfaced later in the successful Meet the Parents franchise and showed a dexterous, lighter side to New York’s tough guy. Midnight Run is one of the great mysteries of the movies; a rare and beautiful case when the seemingly tritest of material comes brilliantly to life in the hands of the right director and a brilliant cast. A timeless, treat.

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