Robert De Niro is one of the greatest movie actors ever. Yet, I have missed almost all of his signature roles. I have never seen: Godfather II, Taxi Driver, and The Deer Hunter. I always meant to watch Bang The Drum Slowly, Stanley and Iris, and This Boy’s Life, among others, but never did. Goodfellas I’ve seen only in bits and pieces
What HAVE I seen?
Raging Bull (1980) – this I saw on video, in the past few years. I remain convinced that if I had seen it in the theater, I would have liked it better. As it was, it took me a while to warm to it.
The King of Comedy (1982) – possibly his best role that I’ve seen, as a comedian obsessed with a talk show host, played by Jerry Lewis.
Awakenings (1990) – it borders on treacle but doesn’t quite make it there. With Robin Williams as a feel-good doc.
Cape Fear (1991) – I was sufficiently scared during this movie. Never saw the original with Robert Mitchum
Wag the Dog (1997) – my favorite of these movies; about faking a war. Its biggest drawback is that it was plausibly true.
Jackie Brown (1997) – I actually enjoyed this Tarantino film, which is the last one I saw
Analyze This (1999) – trading on his tough-guy image, it stars Billy Crystal as his shrink
Meet the Parents (2000) – the first of these ‘Ben Stiller as a Focker’ movies, and while I mostly enjoyed it, it was the only one I needed to see
New Year’s Eve (2011) – watched this on New Years’ Eve 2012 with my wife on a hotel TV. The overpacked storyline, directed by Garry Marshall.
Silver Linings Playbook (2012) – yes, I liked it well enough, but not as much as some other Oscar-nominated films.
What are YOUR favorite De Niro roles?
he was pretty amazing on SESAME STREET — http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqHfser_9_s
The original Cape Fear with Mitchum is worth Netflixing, but DeNiro added a really smarmy bit with their daughter that haunts me to this day.
You’re right – Raging Bull on the big screen, manna from heaven.
I do think all the actors in Silver Linings Playbook were wonderful, and DeNiro took a total back seat to Bradley Cooper. When he cried in the film, I burst into tears.
DeNiro is one of the great American actors. Al Pacino, for my money, is no match, all bluster – with two exceptions: Angels in America and You Don’t Know Jack (his portrayal of Kevorkian is super). Amy
He is one of my favorite actors as well. Love him in many movies, but A Bronx Tale is one of his top movies for me. Happy Birthday, Robert!
Sorry to say, I’ve never been a fan of De Niro. š But that’s not to say he isn’t a great actor.
Awakenings is my favorite hands down. I love the bravery and the compassion depicted in that movie. It had a profound effect on me as a teen the first time I watched it. Still does. š