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Why? Maybe the problem is that some people simply think Meet the Parents and Analyze This are great films, every bit as good as This Boy's Life or A Bronx Tale.
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I know people who think WAYNE'S WORLD is better than RAGING BULL. Our opinions on what's better really isn't the issue.
I've enjoyed Robert DeNiro's "comedies" as much as anyone else. However, if someone thinks he should stick to drama then I usually bring up recent films like A BRONX TALE or THIS BOY'S LIFE. When we enter the "DeNiro is done" talk, most people point to the comedies but when some of these dramas are brought up, it appears no one has seen them.
Next to Brando I'd say DeNiro is my favorite actor and I've defended him on these threads throughout the past four or five years. Brando got burned out after LAST TANGO IN PARIS so perhaps DeNiro is burned out and simply wants to do easier work. I'm not going to fault him for that or fault him for making cash.
DeNiro might not be the DeNiro of 73-80 but how many actors in history has had such a stretch? Not too many so I don't see the point in people getting upset that DeNiro hasn't matched his performances from TAXI DRIVER or RAGING BULL.
This debate could go back to the "small" vs "mainstream" films. I enjoyed MEET THE PARENTS and ANALYZE THIS but I agree they are safe films. For some reason, Nicholson is doing safe work but no one really says too much about it. It seems both actors are having a good time having fun with this stuff so I see no reason to complain.
However, if people think DeNiro has been washed up over the past ten years due to these comedies, I'd certainly suggest they watch something else. There are many underrated gems from the 80's and 90's that no one ever talks about. MAD DOG AND GLORY is a comedy that's never really gotten any respect. Even here, DeNiro is getting laughs playing against his own image. Much like what he's doing in PARENTS.
