Few actors in Hollywood that achieved fame years ago are as beloved as Robert De Niro. Ever since his rise to stardom during the 1970’s, De Niro has become one of the greatest actors in the film industry. Whether it’s troubled taxi drivers, boxers with raging bull tempers or gangsters, De Niro has portrayed various characters. De Niro’s main strength as an actor has always been his strong commitment to each role he assumes in entertainment. Given the sheer number of classic movies that De Niro has made in his career, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Still, listed below are my picks for the best movies made by an actor that deserves to be celebrated.
1. Raging Bull
When it comes to the greatest movies ever made about boxers that are successful, it’s worth discussing “Raging Bull”. Released in 1980, Martin Scorsese’s movie did an extraordinary job of celebrating the legacy of a real-life boxer in history. Scorsese’s Oscar-winning movie celebrated the legendary legacy of real-life boxer Jake LaMotta. Boasting breathtaking black-and-white cinematography, strong storytelling and phenomenal performances, it’s one of the greatest sports biopics ever made. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Robert De Niro. In arguably the greatest performance of his career, De Niro completely transforms into a real-life boxing champion that faced a heavy burden to bear. It’s a physically demanding character that requires a degree of commitment from an actor, but De Niro pulled it off tremendously. Ultimately, what makes “Raging Bull” Robert De Niro’s greatest movie is its powerful message. It delivers a strong message that would resonate with anyone that has bonded with siblings at an early age. Nearly 40 years following the release of a film about boxers with raging bull temper, it’s a riveting reminder of a movie-star that thrives playing complex characters whose timeless films audiences treasure.
2. Taxi Driver
Loneliness has followed me throughout my life. Ever since I was a young child, I have always found it a struggle to interact with people. Being an Autistic person, I’ve often found social interactions in life challenging. Few films that I’ve ever seen capture my feelings of loneliness as powerfully as “Taxi Driver”. Released in 1976, Martin Scorsese’s movie told the story of a lonely taxi driver struggling to fit in the downtrodden society of New York City. In the most iconic role of his career, De Niro captures the sorrow felt by a taxi driver that has lost faith in a city he used to know. Not only did the actor learn how to drive taxis across New York City, but he immersed himself into the state of a loner. The sequence where De Niro talks to himself in front of a mirror remains one of the most iconic scenes in cinematic history. Ultimately, what makes “Taxi Driver” stand out in the actor’s career is its message about mental health. It delivers a strong message that would resonate with everyone facing mental health issues at an early age. A powerful portrait of mental health issues faced by taxi drivers in 1970’s New York City, it’s a terrific reminder of a tremendous actor that has built a lasting legacy playing troubled characters in timeless movies.
3. Goodfellas
Robert De Niro has spent most of his career playing gangsters. De Niro’s greatest strength has always been his ability to create sympathetic gangster characters viewers can relate to. I adore all the gangster movies De Niro has made, but “Goodfellas” remains my favourite. Released in 1990, Martin Scorsese’s iconic movie told the true story of a real-life gangster that became a somebody in neighbourhoods full of nobodies. In his greatest performance as a gangster, De Niro created a compelling character whom audiences could easily identify with. As Jimmie Conway, De Niro uses his presence to portray the power of a gangster that abuses his authority in every way. He pulls off the tricky feat of making a gangster sympathetic. Ultimately, what makes “Goodfellas” De Niro’s greatest gangster movie is its humanity. More than an ordinary gangster movie, it’s a film that emphasizes importance of family. Despite despicable crimes they have committed, it’s easy for viewers to identify with Henry Hill and his family. Nearly 30 years after the release of an iconic film about gangsters seeking to be somebody in neighbourhoods full of nobodies, it’s a beautiful reminder of an actor that has built a legacy playing mobsters with sympathetic personalities.
4. The Deer Hunter
War is a sensitive subject rarely depicted in movies with respect. Over the past decade, war movies have faced a decline in quality. With their loud spectacle, wooden characters and lacklustre storytelling, modern war movies are a chore to sit through. However, “The Deer Hunter” is an exception. Released in 1978, Michael Cimino’s Oscar-winning movie did an extraordinary job of capturing trauma faced by veterans in the Vietnam War. In the most demanding role of his career, De Niro does an exceptional job of portraying traumatized war veterans facing despair. It isn’t easy to embody the personality of a veteran that survives Vietnam War tragedies, but De Niro pulls it off tremendously. Not only does he convey the emotions of soldiers through meaningful expressions, but he creates a war hero audiences can relate to. In a genre that commonly pushes characters to the sidelines, it’s a phenomenal performance giving acknowledgment to veterans’ trauma. 60 years after the Vietnam war ended, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actor thriving portraying conflicted characters whose commemorated movies definitely deserve to be celebrated.
5. The Godfather Part II
When it comes to the greatest movies ever made about gangsters, it’s worth discussing “The Godfather: Part II”. Released in 1974, Francis Ford Coppola’s sequel forever changed the world through its depiction of gangsters that are powerful. Sequels rarely live up to the standards set by their predecessors, but “The Godfather Part II” is an exception. Boasting breathtaking production-design, sharp storytelling and phenomenal performances, it’s one of those rare sequels that works on every level. One of the reasons why the film is so successful is Robert De Niro. In one of his first ever roles that launched his powerful career, De Niro embodies a gangster with dreams of becoming successful. As the younger version of Vito Corleone, De Niro brings humanity to one of the most complex gangsters in history. Although he only has a supporting role, De Niro almost ends up stealing the show. Nearly 50 years following the release of a groundbreaking movie about gangsters that are given an offer they can’t refuse, it’s a rousing reminder of an actor that hasn’t lost abilities to captivate audiences producing memorable movies that make headline news.
6. The Irishman
Aging is a painful process causing family relationships to start declining. As far back as I can remember, I’ve always shared a strong bond with a grandfather I treasure. An inspiring person with a love for movies, he passed on to me a passion for filmmaking. However, aging ended our relationship forever. After reaching an age of retirement, he lost his interest watching entertainment. Few films I’ve seen have captured the painful process of aging as powerfully as “The Irishman”. Released in 2019, Martin Scorsese’s movie offers a powerful portrait of aging gangsters. In the most mature role of his career, De Niro captures the painful burden of aging causing gangsters to face despair. De Niro does an extraordinary job capturing an aging gangster through silence. Whether he’s silently feeling guilty for committing murders or growing distant from his daughter, De Niro uses silence to capture an aging gangsters’ experience. A powerful portrait of aging affecting gangsters feeling guilty about crimes they are committing, it’s a rousing reminder of a movie-star that thrives capturing aging characters whose films are worth celebrating.
7. Silver Linings Playbook
It’s hard to adopt a positive life perspective. After a person faces hardships causing sadness, it’s challenging to find silver linings amidst darkness. Personally speaking, I’ve looked at the world from a pessimistic point-of-view. Few films I’ve seen have changed my outlook on life as powerfully as “Silver Linings Playbook”. Released in 2012, David O. Russell’s movie painted a portrait of families torn apart by mental illness. In the most realistic role of his career, De Niro captures the burden fathers of mentally ill children bear. It’s a role that allows De Niro to showcase an emotional, vulnerable and sensitive side. The scene where De Niro breaks down in tears talking with his son is the most emotional performance the actor has ever given. A powerful portrait of families with mental illness seeking silver linings amidst darkness, it’s a poignant reminder of an actor that thrives when he plays characters with emotional awareness.
8. Killers of the Flower Moon
Ever since his career began years ago, Robert De Niro has built a reputation for playing a hero. De Niro’s most memorable performances have been his portrayals of heroes. In a career dominated by heroic characters viewers care about, “Killers of the Flower Moon” stands out. Martin Scorsese’s masterpiece finds the actor playing a villain that committed atrocities against the Indigenous community. In the most villainous role of his career, De Niro transforms into a politician committing atrocities that are heinous. It isn’t easy for such a likeable actor to portray a politician without a shred of humanity, but De Niro pulls it off tremendously. As precious as the Osage community’s oil, it’s a phenomenal reminder of an actor that excels given opportunities to portray villainous characters experiencing turmoil in films that make movie-goers’ blood boil.
9. Casino
Casinos are larger-than-life settings that have often made for memorable movies. Audiences have always loved to see stories of teams pulling off robberies in casinos. It’s a compelling setting that has always made for movies that are extremely entertaining. Few films ever made about a casino are as beloved as “Casino”. Released in 1995, Martin Scorsese’s movie offers a fascinating look at the functioning of a Las Vegas casino. In one of his most stylish roles, De Niro does an excellent job portraying the powerful manager of a luxurious casino. It’s a complex role that allows the actor to showcase his talent for playing powerful figures in positions of authority. Nearly 30 years following the release of a captivating classic capturing the lives of corrupt managers running a Las Vegas casino, it’s a compelling reminder of a legendary movie-star hasn’t lost his ability to blow away audiences by playing characters with huge dreams to follow.
10. Heat
Few actors that Robert De Niro has collaborated with in his career are as beloved as Al Pacino. The two legendary movie-stars have made several films together. I adore all their collaborations but my favourite is “Heat”. Released in 1995, Michael Mann’s movie captured cops and robbers engaged in a heated rivalry. In the most complex role of his career, De Niro is magnificent as a criminal skilled at keeping his affairs a secret. The highlight of the movie is witnessing two legendary actors share the screen for the first time. The sequence where De Niro and Pacino have a confrontation in diners is one of the most memorable scenes of the actor’s career. Like crimes committed by robbers catching heat, it’s a phenomenal reminder of a movie-star rarely facing defeat whose timeless films that meet expectations I’ll forever consider a treat.
The Film Buff 