as the subject says who do you think is the best actor choosing between robert de'niro and al pacino..and aside the godfather films what was the best role you seen them perform

Hard to say. DeNiro has had higher peaks, but he's made a lot of really bad movies, whereas Pacino has been far more consistent. IMO, DeNiro's best was "Raging Bull," Pacino's best was "Angels in America."

I think DeNiro has many interests outside of acting, including painting and the restaurant business. Over the past decade or so he has become increasingly lazy in his efforts, and sketchy in his choice of roles. That he did sequels to two comedies recently is a sign of this. I get the sence that this once great talent is mailing it in sometimes. Pacino on the other hand just keeps getting better, and is constantly expanding his horizons...he took a huge risk playing Shylock in the screen adaptation of Merchant of Venice, and I thought he nailed the character perfectly. I hear that he is often working in the Actors Studio in NY and that he is trying to raise money for a production of Oedipus.

To me Pacino is the more consumate pro.

No question both are great, but Ive got to go for Al.

That could be the understatement of the year. Oh, the bad movies he made--and to think, this is the DeNiro of "Raging Bull," "Mean Streets," "Goodfellas," "True Confessions," "Casino"...

Is this really another DeNiro/Pacino thread?

Nah, I'm always up to discuss.

I personally consider Pacino the best, and my favorite role of his is as Michael Corleone in Godfather Pt II specifically, although I also really like him as Carlito Brigante just because it is probably the most different type of role you've seen him in as far as changing his actual speech patterns and mannerisms to fit that of a character.

I do really like DeNiro as well. I consider his best role to be Max Cady in Cape Fear, because again, it seems as though that's taking the most effort on his part because it is so far away from not only his actual demeanor, but also that of almost all the characters he's played over the years.

Al.

It's Bobby all the way. Both are great actors and had great performances but Pacino has done some pretty bad movies. Gigli, 2 for the $, Insomnia. And he does play the same character in a lot of movies, the loud, angrey alwasy yelling (Any given Sunday, 2 for the $, Scent of a woman) And Denero has done very successful comedic performances. Denero's best movie- Deer Hunter. PAcino's-Godfather

al pacino

I like both actors, for different reasons. Both were perfect for the roles which made them discussion-worthy.

Smitty, may I ask you what makes you pick Pacino over DeNiro?


Don Cardi

al pacino

DS

I have to agree with Turnbull that Jake LaMotta is probably the best part that DeNiro ever played.

As for Pacino, of course putting his Michael Corleone chracter aside, I thought that he was fantastic in 'Scent of a Woman.'

It's a tough comparison because these guys have both played some great parts.

If I had to cast one of them for a movie I was going to make, it would all depend on the type of character that I needed to cast for.

There is no question that both of these guys have the ability to adapt to whatever persona that the character that they are playing calls for.

Honorable mention for Pacino : 'Dog Day Afternoon.'
For DeNiro : 'Cape Fear.'

Two great actors.


Don Cardi

its close between al and deniro but i gotta go wit deniro. his acting style is more my style with his controlled madness no one will ever be able to top that and his resume speaks for it self

I think Pacino is the better of the two. No disrespect to DeNiro, he is one of the best. But I just think that Pacino can truely "make his character come alive" better. For example, the first movie of Pacino's I've seen when I was yuonger and never heard of him, was Scarface. The way he perfected talking with the Cuban accent was outstanding. I actually thought he was Cuban! Then I saw the GF anf GF2 and thought, "this guy just completely changed his whole speech and demeanor for this movie compared to that." Thats what makes the great ones the greatest in my book.