Robert De Niro

“Is it really dorky that I’m so excited to see De Niro in person?” was Julia Restoin-Roitfeld's response upon meeting the actor at Chanel's annual dinner party in honor of the Tribeca Film Festival. Mademoiselle, may I suggest that he was enchanted to meet you as well? Since JRR did not cite her favorite De Niro film, I will tell you about mine: Midnight Run. This just might be my favorite comedy of all time mostly due to the running dialogue between Robert De Niro, a cop turned bounty hunter, and Charles Grodin, a former mob accountant wanted by his previous employer as well as the FBI. Their cerebral banter and slapstick adventures will make you laugh aloud throughout the film as they travel from New York to Los Angeles by planes, trains, cars, trucks, and more, forging a friendship despite their opposing goals. A very funny look at the truth and consequences of right and wrong. What is your favorite Robert De Niro film?

Julia Restoin-Roitfeld photograph © 2009 Thos Robinson/Getty Images for CHANEL. All Rights Reserved.
Robert De Niro photograph © 2009 Bryan Bedder/Getty Images North America. All Rights Reserved.

Comments

[oncet]

In watching this movie again yesterday for easily, EASILY, approaching 30 times, I laughed hard enough to cry by the time they were driving in the station wagon with Grodin singing 99 bottles of beer on the wall. The cumulative effect of the directors choice to have DeNiro and Grodin go right back to their contentious, hilariously funny way of relating to each other after a very touching scene with Walsh's daughter and ex-wife.

I also found a new favorite line at the beginning of the film which never struck me before--Marvin's directive to Jack which begins with what initially is a construct of politeness but which ends in a very harshly expressed send-off: "Hey, nothing personal Jack but %@#& off, alright?"

[kellina]

Thanks a million for your pithy comment, oncet! Hopefully we can watch it together soon...

[oncet]

"We're starving and you're buying cigarettes?"

[kellina]

You have your whatever you're gonna have. I'll have this.

[oncet]

In 10 minutes we'll be in the Western Union office--we'll have 500 bucks--I'll buy you a nice juicy steak or whatever you want, ok?

[kellina]

Chorizo and eggs?

[oncet]

I'll get you whatever you want!

[kellina]

You know, you're in this mess because you're in this mess. I didn't put you in this mess. Do you understand?

[oncet]

I had a way out of this, y'know...
What's the thing Serrano's most afraid of?

[kellina]

Going cross country with you?

[oncet]

How can you be on the side of a mobster?

[kellina]

I got nothin' to do with it.

[oncet]

If he's that good Tony maybe I should hire him to hit you.