As unlikable as De Niro has ever been.
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Archived from the IMDb Discussion Forums — New York, New York
Minister_of_Film — 15 years ago(June 14, 2010 07:25 PM)
I always find De Niro likable, interesting, or endearing in his roles, but he was really none of the above for me in this film. Pair that with Liza, who was pretty bad and I thinm it makes for one of Marty's only weak films. Do any of you feel this film is in eitgher Scorsese's or De Niro's upper echelon??
Check out my blog listed below where I recently Ranked and Analyzed Marty's complete Filmography.
My Film Ratings,Rankings,and Ramblings @ http://ministryoftruthfilmratings.tumblr.com/ -
Ryepower12 — 15 years ago(December 23, 2010 11:54 PM)
It was a terrible character, with no redeeming qualities until the very end. Yet, that change in the end didn't feel significant, because there wasn't really anything 'tragic' about him to make you root for him as he was being such a terrible person along the way to the end.
I also think the movie could have benefited from a serious dose of editing both in the script and even of the film itself. There are plenty of scenes in the movie which could have been cut which would have made it flow better (or at least end sooner). Honestly, I thought Liza was great in it and the only reason why the movie isn't a complete disaster. -
KlutzyGirl — 14 years ago(April 06, 2011 02:56 PM)
I am watching this now and I had to take a break because De Niro's character was SO annoying I couldn't stand him for one more second! I know it's good acting, but I needed to stop the incessant BS-ing. I cannot stand to be around people like that in real life. Maybe further editing would have been a good idea.
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Harold_Robbins — 14 years ago(July 03, 2011 08:37 PM)
I'm an hour and 45 minutes into the film - he's unlikeable from the start and doesn't improve. At some point I started feeling like Stanley Kowalski had walked into the wrong movie.
"In my case, self-absorption is
completely
justified." -
jeanniemotherof3 — 14 years ago(February 16, 2012 01:57 AM)
Yes, he is so hot and so sexy in this film! He is suppose to be unlikable, that is his character in this film, hello He's just doing what he ALWAYS does, Becoming the character. He is a brilliant Legend to say the least.
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ohmemercylard — 13 years ago(January 17, 2013 07:06 PM)
I'm about as far along as you, and that has taken me over a week, even with fast forwarding. I like just about everything about this movie, EXCEPT DENIRO! I'm usually a fan, but he's terribly miscast in a role that requires a far lighter touch. Johnny Boy just doesn't belong in this movie. I despise this character, totally, at every minute he's on the screen, he reminds me of all the people I can no longer bear to be around. He's a narcissist and a bully. I don't know what Marty's vision was, but surely he didn't intend his lead to be perhaps the most despicable a##hole in the history of cinema.
Can't think too much of door mat Liza's character, either. I just didn't get the relationship, nor did I believe it. The actors have no chemistry.
The longer they continue to yell, the more irritated i get. It's no fun, and it should be. -
spookyrat1 — 12 years ago(October 09, 2013 11:04 PM)
" I just didn't get the relationship, nor did I believe it. The actors have no chemistry."
Have to agree with just about every one on the thread. De Niro dominates much of the first three quarters of the film, with arguably the most one dimensional performance of his career.
It's not that he doesn't sell us his musicianship. It's just that he never finds a gear beyond the aggressive, somewhat sleazy, unreliable, insecure character who begins the film.
And yes I didn't get nor believe the relationship either. -
greenbudgie — 9 years ago(April 05, 2016 01:40 AM)
I must admit that I didn't get the relationship either. There is no chemistry between the two leads as has been said. I never really got the conviction that De Niro was really playing that saxophone. And I detest characters who chew gum while they're talking.
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jmillerdp — 10 years ago(June 07, 2015 12:48 AM)
As Jake La Motta, De Niro was playing one of the most awful characters ever on screen. But, given that, this role is pretty much the warm up to that!
I. Drink. Your. Milkshake! [slurp!] I DRINK IT UP! - Daniel Plainview - There Will Be Blood -
franzkabuki — 10 years ago(June 11, 2015 06:41 PM)
"I always find De Niro likable, interesting or endearing in his roles".
That's sort of a strange thing to say about an actor who made a career of playing douchebags, creeps and sociopaths, even if they sometimes had a charming side to them.
"facts are stupid things" - Ronald Reagan -
DracTarashV — 10 years ago(September 21, 2015 12:24 AM)
As one-dimensional as his character (and possibly performance) is, to me there's never a dull moment with the detestable Jimmy Doyle. De Niro, for my money, delivers a dynamite performance here.
On a side note, I think the only De Niro character I genuinely dislike is Dwight from "This Boy's Life."
Hey there, Johnny Boy, I hope you fry! -
JoeCorrao — 9 years ago(December 03, 2016 03:51 AM)
For me this is Scorsese's best moviethere is a story arc, unlike most of his movies. At the time it bombed and was re-released with more footage and became a kind of hit. Not a Liza fan but she was perfect for the role. They both played career driven artists, which is a big part of New York City.
~I see a little silhouette of a man, Scaramouche, Scaramouche, will you do the Fandango.