I just watched "The Good Shepherd" and found it very "meh". The worst part, though--was Robert De Niro's little cameo role, which jumped out at me as being--just really bad. The reason it really bothers me is because some of his earlier movies are seriously the best movies I've ever seen. The Deer Hunter, Goodfellas, Raging Bull, The Godfathers, Taxi Driver--all in my top 20.
I can understand how he wanted to move into lighter roles, but the delivery of his lines in just about every movie since Casino has been awful. They sound like self-parody. He's no longer an actor, he's always "Robert de Niro" in a cameo appearance.
I'll give him the fact that the Focker movies were funny--but not because of him. Same with the Analyze This & That movies. I hated him in "Stardust"--the gay pirate thing COULD have been funny, but he didn't pull it off.
Has he made anything good in the last 10 years--like--REALLY good?
Posted by Raia (Member # 4700) on :
I've had this conversation with several people, actually. I also feel like he hasn't done anything very useful over the past ten years, although I felt he redeemed himself in "Stardust." I really liked his character there, and the fact that he made fun of himself. But for the most part, I agree with you.
Posted by Launchywiggin (Member # 9116) on :
See, I thought the "Analyze" movies were good self-parody. His history with Scorcese always had him as the tough criminal, so him having emotional problems as a mob boss was pretty funny. The self-parody was the same in the the Focker movies. The problem with "Stardust" was the execution, for me. And that's my point--he's not ACTING in the professional sense of the word any more.
Posted by Eduardo St. Elmo (Member # 9566) on :
quote:Originally posted by Launchywiggin: Has he made anything good in the last 10 years--like--REALLY good?
Ronin?
Posted by BandoCommando (Member # 7746) on :
I just saw him in an episode of "Extras" and it was...well, at least it was entertaining.
Posted by Raia (Member # 4700) on :
Heh... I hated the Focker movies. Maybe just a personal taste thing then. Posted by Launchywiggin (Member # 9116) on :
Oh, don't get me wrong. I don't LIKE them as much as "I can see why people think these are funny".
Extras was a great show, no doubt. I haven't seen Ronin--it looks good. 9 years ago, though.
Posted by Mike (Member # 55) on :
My favorite role of his is Tuttle in Brazil. But that's more than 10 years ago.
Posted by Pegasus (Member # 10464) on :
"The Good Shepherd" was the most disappointing film for me in the past couple of years. I guess I just had wrong expectations. Also, I was irritated that De Niro's name was on the cover as if he starred in it, rather than a glorified cameo. I've seen actors go uncredited for parts like that.
Posted by HollowEarth (Member # 2586) on :
He's awesome as Tuttle, I think he might actually be the best part of that movie.
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