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Its just that his comedies so rarely ask very much of him.

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Hes usually just there to mug, or to be De Niro.

Still, there are some gems in there if you know where to find them.

Thus, a definitive, sometimes-depressing ranking of De Niros comedic roles.

We understand if you feel differently; we were a bit torn on it ourselves.

Yeah, actually: That seems like a pretty reasonable place to start.

(All told, Efron looks less embarrassed than De Niro does.)

This movie should be executed in the public square.

Ten years earlier,Meet the Parentssucceeded because Stillers nebbishy panic worked so well off De Niros tight-lipped stare-down.

We dont blame him.

Not that audiences cared:Fockersmade almost $280 million, becoming 2004s fourth-biggest hit.

Does this mean De Niro fanatics should seekNew Years Eveout?

Oh, good heavens, no.

Thats Robert De Niro!

Amusingly, the performance would garner De Niro his sole Razzie nomination.

and has to stay in the same room as his grandson, who very much does not appreciate it.

It does feature Christopher Walken on a skateboard.

you might almost see him, distressed, saying,Is this what you want?

You want more of this?The answer would beno, definitely not.

The comedy here is pretty basic and obvious; Maniscalco goes for the easy joke every time.

(And youll be groaning a lot.)

14.The Family(2013)

ThisLuc Bessoncomedy theres a phrase!

has its defenders, but were not among them.

De Niro is mostly rehashing old bits, to little effect.

moment that we still havent forgiven him for.

You sense that hes trying too hard, when the secret to great stand-up is its effortlessness.

It doesnt quite work out that way.

(As this list attests, it didnt really turn out that way.)

Its a great line and it encapsulates De Niros comedic aesthetic, especially in this, his best comedy.