Not many actors that achieved fame years ago are as beloved as Robert de Niro. Since the 1970’s, De Niro has become a legendary icon. Whether it’s gangsters, raging boxers or troubled taxi drivers, De Niro has portrayed several strong characters. Given the sheer number of movies that he has made, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my picks for the best movies of an actor that deserves to be celebrated.
1. Raging Bull
Rage has impacted my personality. At an early age, I got into the habit of having temper tantrums throwing a fit of rage. I remember how my parents would often complain I had short temper. I would often mistreat kids in school in ways which were cruel. It isn’t until I grew older that I learned how to control temper ending violent behaviour. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured stressful consequences of rage as powerfully as “Raging Bull”. Released in 1980, Robert De Niro’s best movie captured rage of real-life boxer Jake LaMotta. In the greatest role of his career, De Niro embodied a real-life boxer with rage carrying a heavy burden to bear. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, emotional and vulnerable in his most memorable role. De Niro has always had an aptitude for transforming into each character through method acting, and “Raging Bull” showcased his strengths as a performer. Working alongside Joe Pesci who is also amazing, De Niro honoured the legacy of a celebrated boxer in history. It’s a physically demanding character that required immense commitment from the actor, but De Niro succeeded tremendously. For instance, the scene in which Jake LaMotta faces silence before being beaten up in boxing rings causing despair is one of the greatest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Raging Bull” De Niro’s greatest movie is its message. It delivers a strong message about the dangerous consequences of rage which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 40 years following the release of a groundbreaking film about boxers with rage, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a legendary actor that hasn’t lost his capabilities to engage producing commemorated movies that deliver a meaningful message.
2. Taxi Driver
Loneliness has shaped my personality. Being an Autistic person, I’ve found social interactions in life challenging. Due towards my preferences for spending time alone, I have always struggled making friendships that are long-lasting. Few films I’ve ever seen have managed to capture my feelings of loneliness struggling to fit in society as powerfully as “Taxi Driver”. Released in 1976, Robert De Niro’s movie captured a lonely taxi driver living in 1970’s New York City. In the most psychotic role of his career, De Niro embodied a mentally unstable taxi driver that’s disgusted by a city facing despair. With “Taxi Driver” the actor took a step out of his comfort zone playing an unstable war veteran. Working alongside Jodie Foster who is also amazing, De Niro created a taxi driver that’s compelling. For instance, the iconic scene in which Travis Bickle talks to himself in front of the mirror to prepare for a murder is one of the greatest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Taxi Driver” a groundbreaking masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a heartbreaking message about mental health which would resonate with everyone. A powerful portrait of loneliness causing lives of taxi drivers to deteriorate, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a commemorated actor that has made unforgettable movies which audiences appreciate.
3. Goodfellas
Gangsters are grand figures that have always fascinated my grandfather. At an early age, I formed a strong bond with a grandfather that admired gangsters causing damage. An offer he couldn’t refuse, he enjoyed spending time with gangsters that shaped his worldviews. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured the violent agendas of gangsters as powerfully as “Goodfellas”. Released in 1990, Robert De Niro’s mobster masterpiece capturing the downfall of real-life mobster Henry Hill. In the most authoritative role of his career, De Niro embodies a well-respected gangster that engages in a criminal lifestyle causing despair. De Niro is one of those actors that excelled at playing gangsters, and “Goodfellas” showcased his strengths. For instance, the scene in which Jimmie makes the decision to kill Morrie smoking a cigarette as he watches him evoking fear is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Goodfellas” a mobster masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a strong message about identity which would resonate with everyone. As strong as Henry Hill’s desire to become a gangster, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a commemorated actor that has made memorable movies which audiences treasure.
4. The Godfather: Part II
Fathers are powerful figures that shape children’s futures. As far as I can remember, I’ve always shared a strong bond with my father. An inspiring role model, he motivated me to achieve dreams that I am pursuing. As someone that has grown up to value a father that made my dreams come true, I adored “The Godfather: Part II”. Released in 1974, Robert De Niro’s movie offered a captivating portrait of gangsters struggling to fulfill their responsibilities as fathers. In the most commanding role of his career, De Niro embodied a gangster struggling to raise a family that becomes a burden to bear. It isn’t easy to portray an iconic role previously played by the legendary Marlon Brando, but De Niro succeeded tremendously. As Vito Corleone, De Niro created one of the most iconic gangsters in cinematic history. For instance, the scene in which Vito murders Don Fanucci causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “The Godfather: Part II” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about fatherhood which would resonate with everyone. A grand portrait of gangsters given offers they can’t refuse, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actor whose movies achieved rave reviews.
5. The Deer Hunter
War movies are a genre of films that my uncle has always loved dearly. At an early age, I formed a strong bond with an uncle that admired soldiers with courage. Fascinated by WWII, he enjoyed watching hardships that soldiers went through. As someone treasuring an uncle fascinated with warfare disaster, I adored “The Deer Hunter”. Released in 1978, Robert De Niro’s movie captured Vietnam war soldiers facing tragedy. In the most emotionally draining role of his career, De Niro embodies a traumatized veteran facing despair. It isn’t easy to embody the personality of a veteran that survives Vietnam War tragedies, but De Niro pulled it off tremendously. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase emotional vulnerability he hadn’t shown in his career before. For instance, the scene in which Mike engages in a dangerous game of Russian Roulette leading to the death of a comrade causing despair is one of the best moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “The Deer Hunter” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a profound message about trauma which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 60 years after the Vietnam War ended, it’s a compelling reminder of an actor whose timeless movies deserve to be celebrated.
6. Silver Linings Playbook
Bipolar impacted my aunt’s identity. Several years ago, my aunt was diagnosed with bipolar causing sorrow. She faced mood swings that impacted her ability to function effectively. As someone that has seen how mental illness can affect a person’s outlook, I adored “Silver Linings Playbook”. Released in 2012, Robert De Niro’s movie captured the disease. In the most sensitive role of his career, De Niro embodies a father seeking to care for a bipolar son facing despair. De Niro is known for playing cruel gangsters. With “Silver Linings Playbook”, however, he showcased emotions he hadn’t shown before. Working alongside Bradley Cooper who is also amazing, De Niro captured bipolar disorder. A marvellous portrait of mental illness, it’s a magnificent reminder of an actor that has become a beloved icon in the entertainment business.
7. Killers of the Flower Moon
One of the criticisms levelled against Robert De Niro is that he doesn’t take risks as an actor. Ever since his career began years ago, Robert De Niro has been typecast as a hero. However, in 2023 De Niro took audiences by surprise when he created a villain that won’t be forgotten soon in “Killers of the Flower Moon”. In the most villainous role of his career, De Niro embodied a politician committing atrocities against Indigenous tribes facing despair. It gave the actor a chance to step out of his comfort zone by playing a villain without humanity. Working alongside Leonardo DiCaprio who is also amazing, De Niro honoured Indigenous tribe years ago. As precious as the Osage community’s oil, it’s a remarkable reminder of an actor that excels playing villains enduring turmoil in films that make movie-goers’ blood boil.
8. The Irishman
Aging is a painful process that causes seniors to face stress. I’ve always shared a strong bond with my grandfather. However, aging ended our relationship forever. Adopting a negative attitude, he lost interest in activities he valued. As someone treasuring a grandfather that faced aging causing health deterioration, I loved “The Irishman”. Released in 2019, Robert De Niro’s movie captured aging gangsters facing tragedy. In the most mature role of his career, De Niro embodies an aging gangster facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase maturity he hadn’t shown in his career before. Working alongside Joe Pesci who is also amazing, De Niro captured an aging gangster facing sorrow. As memorable as murders Frank Sheeran has committed, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor whose movies which deserve to be appreciated.
9. Heat
Robert De Niro has always excelled at playing conflicted criminals facing sorrow. De Niro has built an image for playing criminals facing damage. De Niro’s strength for playing characters facing defeat is clearly evident in his movie “Heat”. Released in 1995, Robert De Niro’s movie captured bank robbers pursued by police officers. In the most conflicted role of his career, De Niro embodied a tormented bank robber facing despair. It gave the actor a chance to showcase his aptitude for playing conflicted characters under pressure. Working alongside Al Pacino who is also amazing, De Niro created a bank robber that’s compelling. Like crimes committed by robbers catching heat, it’s a phenomenal reminder of a movie-star rarely facing defeat whose commemorated movies that always meet expectations audiences consider a treat.
10. Joker
Few villains in popular culture are as beloved as the Joker. With his maniacal grin, charismatic personality and dark sense of humour, the Joker has become a legendary comic-book character. In 2019, Robert De Niro honoured the iconic character in his movie “Joker”. In the most charismatic role of his career, De Niro embodies a talk show host that interviews a criminal evoking fear. De Niro brought a sharp sense of humour to the role, standing out as the bright spot of a controversial movie. Although “Joker” can’t live up to De Niro’s greatest movies, it honoured the legacy of the actor. As strong as the Joker’s desire to become a stand-up comedian, it’s a spectacular reminder of an actor with strong dedication that has built a legendary reputation whose timeless movies I will forever treasure for inspiring my lifelong filmmaking passion.
The Film Buff 