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AIBU?

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To think it's sad that Robert De Niro has stooped so low?

152 replies

Brightnorthernlights · 09/01/2016 23:04

An ad for Robert De Niros' new film 'Dirty Grandpa' has just been on TV. AIBU to be sad that such a great actor with a fantastic back catalogue of films has stooped so low as to be involved in such a revolting, crappy project?

He doesn't need the money, gets a lot of press exposure and surely gets offered roles better than this, so WHY?

Why do such great Actors do this?

OP posts:
derxa · 10/01/2016 07:53

He's an actor not a spiritual leader. I'd never heard of Dirty Grandpa before. Now I want to see it. Are you his agent, OP? Why do people expect so much from 'celebrities'?
PS I hate Adam Sandler with a passion.

differentnameforthis · 10/01/2016 07:53

has stooped so low as to be involved in such a revolting, crappy project?

I dunno...he played an ex convict prepared to rape a child to get revenge on her father...

It's their job. You can't categorically say that he doesn't need the money. You don't know what his costs are!

KwickNC · 10/01/2016 07:55

He's certainly not skint and he said on the radio he's trying different things because he's getting old.

He's currently filming another Scorsese film. Plenty of actors have been in shite, he wanted to do something different good on him.

rookiemere · 10/01/2016 08:04

Agree with you Fairylea.

I thought Bridesmaids was a tedious borefest although the friends I went with really enjoyed it, all they seemed to do was replace the usual male stereotypes with female ones - and as for Melissa McCarthy's breakthrough performance I still shudder to think about it.

But apparently because it was female leads it was revolutionary and new, but as De Niro is a bloke this must therefore be wrong. To be fair I don't think it looks like a classic, but I don't believe it will tarnish his reputation, good comedy is awfully hard to act in and he was very funny in that Ben Stiller film about the new boyfriend.

Perhaps he is keen to support Zac Efron's rehabilitation.

southeastastra · 10/01/2016 08:12

he's an actor, has to pay bills, is hired, acts the end.

The80sweregreat · 10/01/2016 08:26

Its sad, but there you go wont be watching and the film will bomb i imagine. If he uses the fees for better things, then good on him.
I hated Bridesmaids too!

TheBestChocolateIsFree · 10/01/2016 08:30

Actually a quick google suggests that he's got a net worth of 200 million - comparable with other stars who've been in huge blockbusters and was paid 20 million for Meet the Fockers. Maybe he's just got shit taste in film.

Toraleistripe · 10/01/2016 08:40

He has a few ex marriages and kids to support I think.

I too find it sad but his choice I guess. Fantastic ground breaking acting in Taxi Driver and Mean Streets. Some great films but as someone else suggested the roles for older men maybe drying up too, though not as much as women's. It's a shame.

MiniCooperLover · 10/01/2016 09:29

We don't know his finances, he may have lost a lot of his money in the recession in the U.S. for instance and is working for his retirement. Kevin Bacon and his wife Kyra Sedgwick lost a lot of money in the Berni Madoff scandal and John Malkovich said he's been financially ruined by it. We don't know what has happened in their lives. He's working and doing whatever is offered to him I guess. Go with it De Niro Smile

SleepIsForTheWeakAnyway · 10/01/2016 09:44

Exdp is an actor and he explained to me when I questioned why vin diesel was doing the tooth fairy after he did the big film, whose title I can't remember, that these actors usually sign a X number of films contract with the studio. They will sign it for the one good film but are still contracted to the shitter films that anyone with any sense would pass on. I don't know if that's the case here but perhaps De Niro is just in the studio pocket fulfilling his contract. Although really I would have thought an actor with his gravitas should have been above such Hollywood politics at his point in his career so perhaps he just has poor judgement?

SquirrelledAway · 10/01/2016 09:48

He got hit with a $6.4 million tax bill last year. That's probably quite a big hole to fill.

Lweji · 10/01/2016 09:50

He has been in some silly comedies. With other great actors too.
Nobody mentions the Fokkers?

EachandEveryone · 10/01/2016 09:58

I really liked The Intern.

mummytime · 10/01/2016 10:02

This film sounds awful.

I though have to admit I liked "the wedding singer" and "50 first dates", although that might be Drew Barrymore rather than Adam Sadler. Do I need to get my coat?

lljkk · 10/01/2016 10:42

Sounds like I'd really enjoy DG. I'll look out for it, thanks to MNers for publicising it so much.

regenerationfez · 10/01/2016 10:55

mummy I loved the Wedding Singer too! But since then ,Adam Sandler has come up with some crap. You do get the feeling the doesn't care what the does or how crap it is as long as he gets paid. Actors do do some shit, but I like to feel they are trying and just made an error of judgement rather than the Adam Sandler/ Michael Caine turn up get paid go home mediocre and I know it type of actors.

AutumnLeavesArePretty · 10/01/2016 11:16

It's just a role, maybe he fancied something different. Up to him, it's his job and his choice of what to take. Maybe he likes the constant work.

lorelei9 · 10/01/2016 11:35

the trailer does look grim

but I'm confused re money. He's been getting megabucks since the 90s, hasn't he -and he owns a bunch of real estate in Tribeca I think, so the rents on those must be great.

It is mystifying if he does this type of film because he likes them but some people do Confused

lorelei9 · 10/01/2016 11:36

PS also confused by actors who were ruined in Madoff problems - they can't have put all their eggs in one basket?

TheBestChocolateIsFree · 10/01/2016 11:41

I think Kevin Bacon pretty much put his life savings in with Madoff. If everyone else else is offering 2% returns and your well respected mate Bernie can get you 12% because he's such a financial genius then why wouldn't you put all your savings with him to get the higher returns???

Rhetorical question there to which the answer is obvious - but Bernie was well known and trusted and had a track record going back nearly 50 years. I can see why they didn't fall for it.

TheBestChocolateIsFree · 10/01/2016 11:42

Oops - "I can see why they didn't work it out"

regenerationfez · 10/01/2016 11:42

Actors, I would imagine by definition are creative types who don't worry their heads with boring things like basic finance. They can also make vast sums of money on a self employed basis. Makes them vulnerable to con artists and people taking advantage of them. It's probably why so many of them get into trouble with the taxman as well.

MrsJayy · 10/01/2016 11:46

Maybe the parts are not there for him anymore and he will take any job have you seen meet the fockers its shit he has been doing rubbish films for decades

noeffingidea · 10/01/2016 11:48

I find it sad when any star/celebrity tries desperately to cling on to their status. Plasic surgery (often with disastrous results), smaller parts in crappy films, exploitative reality TV, attending the opening of an envelope.
For goodness sake, retire with dignity, downsize, invest the rest of your money, go back to education or retrain for a career, start off a business or work behind the scenes. I'm not sure if De Niro really falls into this category though.
Hopefully his name still earns him a decent paycheque. And he gets his real job satisfaction through investing in his other projects.
Got to just add, he really was as cool (and hot) as fuck in the 80's.

MrsJayy · 10/01/2016 11:48

Not all films have to be masterpieces some are just for light entertainment and a bit shit,