De Niro: No longer brilliant? Recent Films underming his legacy status?

[Champ]

Earlier this year, the Independent Film Channel ran a quiz show in which one of the movie-trivia categories was “Robert De Niro Sells Out.”

One of the questions involved his appearance as Fearless Leader in a live-action version of “The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle.” Alas, it was hardly the only turkey under consideration. Indeed, the list of De Niro bombs has grown daunting.

Anyone care to remember “The Fan,” “Backdraft,” “Showtime” or (groan) "15 Minutes" and "Flawless"? In some of these, he was the central figure, in others part of an ensemble. In none of them did he suggest that he was once widely regarded as one of the best actors in the world.

There was a time when a new De Niro movie was an event, and he seemed to earn Academy Awards nominations just for showing up on a set. He won two Oscars, in 1975 and 1981, but it’s been more than a decade since the Academy voters have singled him out for a nomination.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6453606

[Misunderestimator]

1. How silly... DeNiro is good in everything he's done and he has a right

to practice his profession. More power to him.

[chenGOD]

2. As a big DeNiro fan I say this...

Some of the choices he's made have been questionable, but he has acted well in all of them. Out of the "stinkers" you listed, "the Fan" was my least favourite, I thought he played his role very well in Backdraft,Showtime and 15 minutes, Flawless was surprisingly good and none of the performances he put forth in those movies detract from his ability as one of the best actors to ever appear on screen.

[gottaB]

3. Ronin and Jackie Brown were real De Niro

Flawless might have been a good movie. It's flaws aren't due to either De Niro or Hoffman.

In the last five years, De Niro has done nothing for me. It's sad.

[Neshanic]

4. He phoned in an SNL. He really is coasting now.

[peekaloo]

5. He recently said he was happy that people still offered him roles.

Maybe he's content doing what he's doing. :shrug: His best stuff still holds up for me so as long as his American Express is paid on time, more power to him. :evilgrin:

[Mr. Blonde]

6. Kind of like Christopher Walken almost never turns down a role

says that making a movie, good or bad, is always a rewarding experience. The only thing that sucks about this is that I'm a big Walken and De Niro fan so sometimes they sucker me into some pretty shitty movies.

[sundog]

7. What actor hasn't had his or her share of crap movies?

:shrug:

[elehhhhna]

8. Three words for ya: Meet The Parents. He's brilliant. Period.

[bmbmd]

12. Brilliant he is.

But Dustin Hoffman flat out stole the show.

[elehhhhna]

13. Haven't seen the second one, yet! But I believe you.

I'd watch DeNiro read the ABC's

[Allenberg]

9. I actually liked The Fan.

[Floogeldy]

10. That's what I was thinking

It's been a long time but I don't remember thinking it was a bad movie.

It is pretty obvious that De Niro got type-casted and attempted to expand his talents into comedy. Yes, there were some clinkers but that has happened to every actor who has ever lived. Don't forget "Cape Fear." And "Midnight Run" is one of my favorite comedies ever.

Overall, his career has been brilliant.

[sasquatch]

11. I liked "The Fan"

It reminded me of a guy I went to high school with.

[DS1]

14. Maybe it makes a nice change doing something crap

:shrug:

[eyepaddle]

15. It's been said by a lot of folks here,

but I have yet to see him actually be BAD in any of his roles. And he isn't even CLOSE to being the worst when it comes to not turning down roles. That'd be Sean Connery; granted, he isn't as talented as Robert De Niro, but good god man, The Avenegers?!? Ouch.

And on the plus side for Mr De Niro; can you think of any great movies that have come out that he should've been in, but wasn't?

[NNadir]

16. Robert DeNiro likes to work, period.

Even when he's in a dog, he is clearly working and taking it seriously.

I like his work ethic. He doesn't have his head up his ass and seems less pretentious than his critics.

[Ernesto]

17. The guy stays busy for sure

Fact is, I'd rather watch him in some crap commercially inspired loser than much of the work put out by some of our more current "hot pop stars".