Robert De Niro is another fine elderly actor who’s had a rough time in the last decade finding material that is up to his level. After a career of mostly dramatic work, he resorted to comedy in 1999’s Analyze This and has since appeared in more comedies than dramas, constantly tarnishing his legacy with films like Showtime, Analyze That, Hide and Seek, and Righteous Kill. With this week’s opening of Little Fockers—which according to some critics might be the worst movie of De Niro’s career—it’s time to take a look back at the best films of Robert De Niro’s career.
Here are the five best films of Robert De Niro’s career…
The Godfather: Part II (1974)
De Niro’s greatest collaborator was always and always will be Martin Scorsese—the rumor mill says that after fifteen years the two giants will finally re-team for a new movie together—and so De Niro’s best movies will forever be the ones made with the legendary director. However, De Niro has appeared in a group of classic films made by directors other than Scorsese, including The Last Tycoon, The Deer Hunter, Brazil, and Jackie Brown, but the best of the bunch is Francis Ford Coppola’s The Godfather: Part II, universally recognized as one of the top five sequels ever made.
The King of Comedy (1983)
One of Martin Scorsese’s most under-rated movies, The King of Comedy, a severely black comedy that stars De Niro as an ambitious young comedian trying to make his way on the air waves, is as funny as it is heartbreakingly sad. Jerry Lewis co-stars in a courageous, career-best performance.
Taxi Driver (1976)
Any actor should feel lucky if he has one great legendary movie on his resume. De Niro has eight or more, and the best three were all directed by Scorsese. The first is Taxi Driver, co-starring Cybill Shephard, Albert Brooks, and a young Jodie Foster, and it remains one of the most earth-shattering, flat-out mesmerizing adult dramas ever made.
Raging Bull (1980)
This black-and-white boxing movie directed by Scorsese has been called the best film of the 1980’s. No overpraise there—this beautifully photographed, sensationally acted masterpiece won De Niro his one and only Oscar for Best Actor, and deservedly so. His astonishing performance in this amazing film remains his very best.
Goodfellas (1990)
One of the best movies of the 90’s, one of the best gangster movies, simply one of the best films ever made. Goodfellas is the kind of flick you play for people who aren’t high on movies, because once the end credits roll on this one, they’ll be clamoring for more. From the genius camerawork and editing, to the powerful story, to the large, enormously talented ensemble cast that includes De Niro, Joe Pesci, Ray Liotta, and Lorraine Bracco, Goodfellas remains Martin Scorsese’s finest hour, and the best movie De Niro has ever been in.
