My Best Performance: Robert De Niro

[Spinal]

A simple new game.

I give you an actor. I post their picture.

You tell me which movie contains their best performance. You get one vote.

Discussion might happen. Or maybe not.

After a day or so, the votes are counted. I announce the winning performance.

We then move on to somebody else.

[Spinal]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v696/joel_harmon/MV5BMjAwNDU3MzcyOV5BMl5BanBnXk FtZTcwMjc0MTIxMw_V1_SY314_CR12 0214314__zps7844d883.jpg
ROBERT DE NIRO

What's my best performance?

[Irish]

I give you an actor. I post their picture.

That latter part is key, I think. Just in case we forget what these people look like. ;)

I vote for "The Godfather Part II," because there DeNiro was young, disappeared into that role, and had to at least partially base what he was doing off the work of someone who was a living legend at the time. Remarkable.

DeNiro is pushing 100 movies and he's not done yet. That's getting close to John Wayne territory.

I always liked his ability to disappear into a character and make me forget I'm watching Robert DeNiro. When he's lazy, though, he's awful and relies too heavily on his public persona and familiar gestures.

[Spinal]

That latter part is key, I think. Just in case we forget what these people look like. ;)

Exactly. I've thought of everything. Cause maybe somebody would be all like, I loved his work in Encino Man. And I'd have to say, no, you're thinking of Sean Astin.

These situations can be avoided. #notmyfirstrodeo

[Irish]

Cause maybe somebody would be all like, I loved his work in Encino Man. And I'd have to say, no, you're thinking of Sean Astin.

:lol:

[Winston*]

Boring choice, but got to go with Taxi Driver. Frighteningly convincing performance.

[Dead & Messed Up]

Raging Bull.

[Dukefrukem]

2nd for Raging Bull. I never understood why Taxi Driver got so much praise... is it the ad-lib/non scripted mirror scene?

"It's a piece of charcoal bring it over here!!!!!!!"


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFgAORdRUf4

[Raiders]

The King of Comedy

Perhaps his most terrifying performance. The limitations to De Niro, namely that he is never able to be very ingratiating or overtly "likable" as an actor, are so superbly put to use in this film's portrayal of a psychopathic, disturbed and ultimately mediocre comedian.

[Dukefrukem]

Crap Raiders, you just reminded me of Cape Fear.

[Skitch]

This is tough. I'm gonna vote for Ronin, but I could've easily picked Casino, Taxi Driver, or The Deer Hunter.

[Spinal]

Raging Bull

Lots to choose from. This one seems to encompass all his best attributes though ... the deep naturalism, the physical transformation, the improvisation, the explosive rage.

[Watashi]

The Deer Hunter

[NickGlass]

The King of Comedy

Seconded. It's DeNiro's slyest interpretation of a guarded man obliviously suffering from outrageous self-denial (a DeNiro speciality).

[MadMan]

I'll vote for his performance as Jimmy "The Gent" in Goodfellas. Just a fantastic performance and my personal favorite of his. And yes I'm voting knowing I haven't seen everything he's done but I don't know of any one on this site who has seen all of his movies. Maybe someone has. Stand up and take a bow if you have, movie watching person.

[Ezee E]

[video=youtube;6J8I9XgwfmU]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6J8I9XgwfmU

DeNiro's best scene ever, in what is also his best performance... Raging Bull

[Stay Puft]

Raging Bull

[Qrazy]

I think that overall I'll have to vote officially for Raging Bull but I have to say I absolutely love De Niro, Pacino, Nicholson and Hoffman in their early roles when they were young and hungry. For De Niro that's Mean Streets. He is easily the highlight of that film. For Pacino that's Panic in Needle Park.

[wil-san]

Not a terribly interesting pick, but an honest one: Taxi Driver. I've been a fan of this man for a long time and this was an easy choice.

[Spinal]

Match Cut says:

My best performance is ...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v696/joel_harmon/ragingbull_zps0e630cf3.jpg
RAGING BULL

[EyesWideOpen]

Has there ever been a drop off in quality of work for a actor who has kept working like De Niro's? The guy hasn't been relevant in almost 20 years.

[Skitch]

Has there ever been a drop off in quality of work for a actor who has kept working like De Niro's? The guy hasn't been relevant in almost 20 years.
Maybe Brando?

[Grouchy]

Has there ever been a drop off in quality of work for a actor who has kept working like De Niro's? The guy hasn't been relevant in almost 20 years.
Dustin Hoffman?

Many would say Pacino, but I'd argue he still comes out with some good films or at least performances in bad films where you can see that he gives a fuck about what he's doing.

[Watashi]

Hoffman's still great.

[wil-san]

Has there ever been a drop off in quality of work for a actor who has kept working like De Niro's? The guy hasn't been relevant in almost 20 years.

He might be coming back. I saw Silver Linings Playbook this morning and he had a nice contribution. If he had retired after Jackie Brown though in 1997 he would have gone out on top.

[Ezee E]

He just needs to work with some good directors again. Does Luc Besson count? I have no idea what to make of The Family, but I trust Besson for the most part.

[Grouchy]

Hoffman's still great.
Maybe it's just a personal bias against Hoffman (he's a very good actor, I just dislike him the way you dislike some people without really knowing why) but his filmography after Wag the Dog isn't very impressive.

I don't think the problem with these actors is the directors. It's just that they reach a point where they don't care anymore. They give up trying to challenge themselves. Or at least that's how I see it.

[Raiders]

He just needs to work with some good directors again. Does Luc Besson count? I have no idea what to make of The Family, but I trust Besson for the most part.

Not to mention Russell's film (though he is supporting) and (hopefully) The Irishman for Scorsese. I am also intrigued by Hands of Stone.

[number8]

Granted he's not as prolific as DeNiro, but I've been avoiding Jack Nicholson movies for a while.

[ledfloyd]

I'm not particularly fond of Raging Bull as a film, but Raging Bull for sure.

Disclaimer: I have not seen The King of Comedy.

[Boner M]

Taxi Driver. But I'll throw in a mention for Heat, his scenes with Amy Brenneman are just so tender and affecting.

[wil-san]

Heat is the best cops and robbers movie ever.

[Rock]

Taxi Driver, although I have a soft spot for his work in Mean Streets.

[D_Davis]

Heat is the best cops and robbers movie ever.

...not directed by Johnny To. :)