Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci have acted together in seven films throughout their careers, and are widely regarded as one of Hollywood’s top duos. Known primarily for portraying tough-as-nails Italian gangsters (in addition to other roles), they have been staples of the film industry for more than 50 years. The pair often work with renowned director Martin Scorsese, with De Niro having starred in eleven films directed by the acclaimed filmmaker.
On their own, Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci have been praised repeatedly for their extraordinary acting abilities; they often become so immersed in their characters that it’s almost hard to tell them apart. When combined, De Niro and Pesci are a formidable duo (it’s also important to acknowledge the exceptional talent of their close friend, Al Pacino). Among the seven films they’ve collaborated on, each one is worth watching, although some stand out more than others in our memories.
Where to Watch: Apple TV, Prime Video, YouTube
In his directorial career, Robert De Niro has crafted two films, one of which is titled “The Good Shepherd.” This movie features Matt Damon portraying the character Edward Wilson and delves deeply into Wilson’s life from the late 1930s to the early 1960s, coinciding with the emergence of the CIA. After the Bay of Pigs incident, Wilson suspects there is a spy within the CIA, and this character bears resemblance to James Jesus Angleton, a real-life CIA officer during the Cold War period. De Niro and Pesci also appear in supporting roles, with Pesci portraying Joseph Palmi in the film.
| The Good Shepherd Character | Portrayed By |
|---|---|
| Edward Wilson Sr. | Matt Damon |
| Margaret “Clover” Russell | Angelina Jolie |
| General Bill Sullivan | Robert De Niro |
| Sam Murach | Alec Baldwin |
| Joseph Palmi | Joe Pesci |
| Dr. Fredericks | Michael Gambon |
| Philip Allen | William Hurt |
The Good Shepherd isn’t a poor movie, despite some criticisms leveled against it by the real CIA upon its release. The cast, including De Niro and Pesci, did an exceptional job portraying their characters in this film. However, the movie is quite lengthy, running close to three hours, which can make it easy for viewers to lose focus due to its non-linear narrative structure. Still, Wilson’s story is compellingly and intriguingly presented, although it may require some effort on the part of the audience to understand the puzzle of his CIA experiences fully.
Where to Watch: AMC+, YouTube, Prime Video, Philo, Apple TV
A Bronx Tale represents one of Robert De Niro’s directorial ventures during his career, setting itself apart from his other lengthy films by clocking in at just 121 minutes. The story revolves around Calogero (Lillo Brancato), an Italian-American youth who struggles to choose between following the Mafia lifestyle under Sonny (Chazz Palminteri) or staying loyal to his diligent father Lorenzo, portrayed by De Niro himself. Originally a play written by Chazz Palminteri, A Bronx Tale was adapted for the big screen; in this adaptation, Joe Pesci appears as Carmine, an associate of Sonny.
Similar to “The Good Shepherd, A Bronx Tale” isn’t a poor movie by any means. It’s quite thought-provoking, and the lead actors deliver convincing performances. Nevertheless, there are two aspects that seem somewhat underexplored: Calogero’s short romance with Jane (portrayed by Taral Hicks), and Robert De Niro’s brief appearance as Carmine. De Niro’s portrayal of Carmine is decent, but the character lacks depth; if Carmine were removed from the film, it wouldn’t significantly impact “A Bronx Tale”.
Where to Watch: Disney+, Hulu, fuboTV, Paramount+, Prime Video, Sling TV
The film Once Upon a Time in America, written and directed by Sergio Leone, is one of the lengthiest ever, running nearly four hours. With so much content, it’s packed full. The story follows two Jewish-American friends, David “Noodles” Aaronson (portrayed by Robert De Niro) and Maximilian “Max” Bercovicz (James Woods), who navigate the New York City criminal underworld from the late 1910s to the 1930s. Their bond is complex and deep, but as time passes, it becomes strained. The movie explores themes such as friendship, adversity, betrayal, and the psychological effects of mob life. Additionally, Joe Pesci plays Frank Minaldi, another gangster in this tale.
The movie “Once Upon a Time in America” is often praised as one of the greatest films ever made. While Pesci’s role was relatively small, he still earned recognition, as Minaldi’s character was initially intended to be more significant. Unfortunately, the film didn’t perform as well in the U.S. as it did internationally. Instead of the full-length movie being released, a shorter 139-minute version was shown in North America; this truncation adversely impacted the film’s rhythm, atmosphere, and visual style. In its complete form, however, “Once Upon a Time in America” tells an enchanting story with unparalleled realism and powerful performances by De Niro and Woods.
Where to Watch: MGM+, Disney+, Hulu, Apple TV, Philo, Prime Video, Sling TV
The movie “Raging Bull” is Martin Scorsese’s film version of Jake LaMotta’s autobiography, titled “Raging Bull: My Story.” In this film, Robert De Niro portrays Jake LaMotta and Joe Pesci plays his younger brother Joey. The film primarily focuses on the tumultuous life of Jake LaMotta, both in his professional boxing career and personal relationships, which are far from tranquil. Notably, it was only Joe Pesci’s third acting role at the time, while De Niro was the one who initially suggested the project to Scorsese after reading LaMotta’s memoir, although Scorsese did not consider directing “Raging Bull” until much later on.
Although Raging Bull didn’t rake in significant box office earnings, it has become an unquestionable success due to its gripping narrative, innovative direction, and the intricate portrayal of Jake’s character by Robert De Niro. This classic film, shot in black-and-white, spares no detail when depicting violence and internal strife. The boxing sequences are remarkably realistic because Jake LaMotta, the real-life inspiration for the character, trained De Niro for his role. However, it’s not just the authenticity of the fights that makes Raging Bull compelling; it’s De Niro’s remarkable transformation into Jake that truly captivates audiences. The film’s narrative, while not sugarcoated, is engaging as it portrays a hero gradually evolving into an antagonist – a storyline that never fails to draw viewers in. Raging Bull was nominated for eight Academy Awards at the 53rd ceremony, and De Niro’s outstanding performance earned him the Best Actor award.
Where to Watch: Starz, Hulu, Philo, Prime Video, Sling TV, YouTube, Apple TV
Movie titled “Casino” marks the second team-up of Martin Scorsese, Robert De Niro, and Nicholas Pileggi. It is adapted from Pileggi’s book, “Casino: Love and Horror in Las Vegas“. As the title suggests, “Casino” unfolds the intricate tale of Sam “Ace” Rothstein (De Niro), who manages the Tangier Casino in Las Vegas for the Chicago Outfit. Joe Pesci plays Nicky Santoro, a troublesome enforcer and Sam’s friend. Throughout “Casino“, Sam repeatedly finds himself in dangerous predicaments due to his connections with the Chicago Outfit and the Tangier Casino’s prosperity, further complicated by his romantic entanglement with Ginger McKenna (Sharon Stone).
Casino” is a movie that lingers in your mind even after the closing credits. The dynamic between De Niro and Pesci’s characters is captivating, and their interactions alone are worth watching. The narrative is raw, the setting of Las Vegas adds an unusual twist, and many characters are unsavory, but this is exactly why “Casino” stands out. Unlike most films, “Casino” isn’t intended to leave viewers with a warm, fuzzy feeling. Instead, it aims to portray the harsh realities of Mafia involvement, and it does so effectively.
Where to Watch: Netflix
The Martin Scorsese movie, “The Irishman,” spans over three hours, yet its meticulously crafted narrative makes time appear to pass swiftly. This film is adapted from Charles Brandt’s novel “I Heard You Paint Houses.” It centers around the life of Frank Sheeran, portrayed by Robert De Niro. After leaving the trucking business, Sheeran eventually works for Russell Bufalino (Joe Pesci) and Jimmy Hoffa (Al Pacino). As a senior residing in a nursing home, Sheeran reminisces about his past life in organized crime. In “The Irishman,” Scorsese and De Niro’s collaboration once again unfolds the story through flashbacks and interconnected timelines. Remarkably, “The Irishman” marked the first time that De Niro, Pesci, and Pacino all appeared together in a film.
As a cinema enthusiast, I can’t help but sing praises for “The Irishman,” a cinematic gem that should grace everyone’s screen at least once. Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, and Al Pacino deliver performances that are nothing short of exceptional. Even though they’ve played similar roles in the past, these three legends breathe new life into their characters in “The Irishman.”
The film boasts a captivating narrative, and the pacing is spot-on, even for its lengthy runtime. The cinematography and Martin Scorsese’s directing style are nothing short of masterful, with CGI used to de-age De Niro, Pesci, and Pacino at certain points in the story.
“The Irishman” was nominated for 10 Academy Awards at the 92nd Academy Awards, and every single nomination was richly deserved.
Where to Watch: Netflix, MAX, Hulu, YouTube, Prime Video, Apple TV
As a movie enthusiast, I’d say “Goodfellas” isn’t just an outstanding mobster flick; it’s arguably one of the greatest movies ever crafted. Martin Scorsese and Nicholas Pileggi, who wrote the novel “Wiseguy” that served as the film’s inspiration, both knocked it out of the park as director and co-writer respectively. And let’s not forget about Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci, who breathed life into gangsters James “Jimmy” Conway and Tommy DeVito. The movie takes us on a rollercoaster ride through the turbulent life of mob associate Henry Hill (Ray Liotta), from the heart of the mid-1950s to the pulsating ’80s.
Goodfellas showcases an exceptional motion picture from start to finish, boasting a memorable opening line from Liotta’s character, Henry Hill. The characters are well-developed, the acting is nothing short of extraordinary, the narrative balances both entertainment and suspense, and the visuals are breathtaking. De Niro and Pesci, alongside Liotta, shine exceptionally, with Pesci receiving an Academy Award for his performance. To witness De Niro and Pesci at their peak, watch Goodfellas.
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2025-05-19 01:31