Who has been the best actor in the last half century? You can make a deal for a few guys like Denzel Washington, Jack Nicholson, Al Pacinoor Harrison Ford. Each of them left an indelible mark on the history of Hollywood. But you can’t even have a discussion about who’s been the best in acting over the past 50 years without mentioning a name. Robert DeNiro. With a show of strength in films like godfather 2, Taxi driver, deer hunter, Mad bullAnd Good guysFrom the very beginning, De Niro has established himself as one of the most versatile, serious and talented performers ever to appear on the big screen. However, one aspect of the veteran’s career is often overlooked due to all the accolades he has received for his dramatic roles - he also shone as a comedian. And he did it without even being so “funny”.
When you think of great comedians, Robert De Niro is not the guy you have on the tip of your tongue. Maybe it’s too easy to include great roles in successful comedies like Meet the parents franchise, midnight runAnd King of Comedy among his finest work. We may not be giving him the credit he deserves for being funny in movies where he’s actually not that funny.
In comedies, Robert De Niro excels as a straight man.
This article will not argue that De Niro should be included among the likes of Robin Williams, Jim carreyor even Will Ferrell in terms of cutting, screwball comedy. Instead, he’ll ask you to watch how he used what he does best to make funny movies even funnier. For example, in Meet the parents films, there are many comedies coming from proven jokers such as Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson, and others. All De Niro had to provide was a strong legal basis from which they could build. As Jack Byrnes, a straight-forward former CIA agent and father of would-be fiancé Gaylord (Greg) Focker (Stiller), he doesn’t have to do anything but be patient and let the comedy come to him. His straightforward responses, mixed with his impeccable timing, make up for the fact that he doesn’t try to match the comedians he shares the stage with. While he lets them do their thing, his simple presence as a straight man is exactly what makes for some of the funniest scenes in the film. “I have nipples, Greg. Can you milk me?” A good script coupled with masterful timing makes this one of the most unexpected exchanges in the entire franchise.
Vulnerability highlights Robert De Niro’s role in ‘Midnight Run’
In 1988, Robert De Niro mixed it even further with the highly underrated and overlooked midnight run opposite a drier, more reserved comedian Charles Grodin. In the role of Jack Walsh, the actor had to bring in a little more of the alpha male performer we’re used to seeing in his role in the past, as well as inject some vulnerability into the role of a beggar, divorced bounty hunter. . Grodin is not the easiest performer to match comedic times. He is a master of sarcasm and relies heavily on his delivery to enrich his funny line and scene. But De Niro was able to go along with the witty comedian while staying in his lane, offering deadpan lines that pull the most out of what’s on the page. It’s not that he tries or even needs to upstage his stage partners, but rather that he has a knack for pulling the funny out of his partner. This is a surprisingly underrated aspect. Casino the star’s repertoire, and while we’re not saying other actors couldn’t do it, we’re just not sure the film would have the same overall level of quality in anyone’s hands.
Robert De Niro is the erratic comedian in The King of Comedy
If one of the plots of the hit of 2019 Joker looks familiar, probably because it was first done in a De Niro film, King of Comedy in 1982. IN Joaquin Phoenix movie about a tragic villain, he’s also a delusional, talentless stand-up comedian who doesn’t take no for an answer and makes his way onto a late-night talk show (we don’t think it’s a coincidence that De Niro plays host Murray Franklin). About 40 years ago, Robert De Niro teamed up with a friend and master director, Martin Scorsese to tell the story of Rupert Pupkin, a comedic hack with some panache who takes on a host of the night (Jerry Lewis) hostage to secure his place in the show.
This performance differs from others in that De Niro requires De Niro to inject unbridled and completely uncontrollable energy into a character who is frustrated to the point that he sincerely believes he is a comedy genius despite being nothing more than a Stalker. who still lives in his mother’s basement at the age of 34. His one-liners are trite and trite, but the master actor delivers them with such childlike enthusiasm that there is something almost charming about his deranged portrayal of Pupkin. The energy he brings makes you absolutely believe that he thinks what he says is the funniest thing you will ever hear in your life. This is another brilliant and rarely mentioned film when you talk about his career. It’s also understandable, as he’s earned a reputation for being so serious and over-focused that you’d almost be surprised how serious he is.
Robert De Niro to show off his comedy skills in ‘About My Father’
While Robert De Niro brought something of his own to all of these comedies, the one thing they all have in common is a certain level of credibility and believability that comes from having one of the best actors ever a part of the project. Guys like Robert De Niro and Al Pacino don’t reach the top of the Hollywood mountain by being one-trick ponies. Look, for example, now at Harrison Ford. He just turned 80 and is killing him with a new AppleTV comedy. Decrease where he more than hangs on with one of the funniest performers in the industry, Jason Segel. And De Niro will get another opportunity to show his comedic appeal in the upcoming movie. About my fatherstarring opposite famous comedian Sebastian Maniscalco. The film is slated for a May 26 release, and we have a feeling the veteran master is worth a second look, even if asked to play the grumpy old-timer.
Source: Collider
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