Al Pacino vs. Robert De Niro

If we were given the chance to choose between these two actors, I suppose I wonder which one you all might actually pick. Who do you feel possesses more talent, and what is it about their performances that makes them stand out to you? Please, try to explain your reasoning.

😍 Bobby 😍
🙏

Al Pacino is always overacting, and Robert De Niro only does it when he absolutely has to. Even then, you can tell he's just going through the motions.

Two kings, no matter how you look at it, according to the only true acting legends left, 👍

Choosing between them is like being asked if you love your mom or your dad more.😁

I can't quite make up my mind...

frozenpuma47 said:Two kings either way—that’s what you'd hear from the only true acting titans left—but those legends...👍

And Robert Duvall? Or Gene Hackman? Just thrown out there after a split second of thought.

Why is everyone so obsessed with these sweeping, overblown generalizations?

Over the last few years, they’ve both really gotten under my skin with their acting—Al Pacino’s intense outbursts and Bobby’s hilarious facial expressions in those comedies.

But back when they were younger... 🙏 🙏 🙏

Honestly, I just can't decide who was more legendary... 🙂

Al Pacino, for sure 🙂

Man, both of them are legends 🙏

Tony Montana said:Honestly, both of them have been kind of overplayed lately—you know, with Al Pacino’s constant outbursts and Bobby’s goofy faces in those comedies.

Bobby’s comedy faces? Wait, so you weren't actually dying laughing when he was crying in Analyze this? Seriously, that's what you call "acting"?

Al Pacino! 😛

I'm more of a De Niro guy.

And Al Pacino is just... small. Like, how can someone that small pull off a mobster vibe?

Well, Joe Pesci is small too! And he makes a killer mobster!

So, what, you think Joe Pesci is better than Al Pacino?

Not better, just way angrier.

But yeah, I still have a soft spot for both of them from back in the day. 😍

dustyscout53 said:So you think Bobby’s expressions in comedies are bad? Please, tell me you didn't actually crack up when he started crying in Analyze this. Seriously, you found that funny?

Honestly, the only decent comedy Bobby has done is that one where he breaks out of prison with Sean Penn and they both pose as priests. 🙏

frozenpuma47 said:Two absolute kings, honestly... just two of the greatest living legends on screen. 👍

Asking me to choose between them is like asking if I love my mom or my dad more... 😁

I'm with you on this one.

Younger Robert De Niro, older Al Pacino.

I'll explain my reasoning later... 😁

hm... will the breakdown take 'Serpico' and 'Dog Day Afternoon' into account?
😛

Al Pacino or Robert De Niro, that IS the question...

Keith Jones19 said:hmm... I wonder if the reasoning covers 'Serpico' and 'Dog Day Afternoon'?
😛

Al Pacino or Robert De Niro, that really IS the question...

What kind of rules even exist without exceptions? 😉
(With Al Pacino, you've got Scarface and Serpico).

I’ve never been a fan of Al Pacino, and I’m not even ashamed to admit it☕.

I love Robert De Niro—as long as he isn't overdoing it with those weirdly awkward bits of his—which makes him 🙂. My favorite performance of his is in Heat (though I have to admit, Al Pacino is 🙂 in that one)
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I find Robert De Niro to be superior to Al Pacino, particularly in Michael Mann's absolute masterpiece, Heat (and I rarely use the word masterpiece, so take that as a compliment). Then there's Taxi Driver—that sequence where he takes out the pimp and his associates to save the young girl is just peak cinema. I simply enjoy watching him more than Al Pacino, even if Al Pacino was admittedly excellent in Dog Day Afternoon. 👍

crimsonmoose3 said:I actually prefer Robert De Niro over Al Pacino—especially in Michael Mann's masterpiece, Heat.

👍 🙏

I’ve always found myself leaning toward Al Pacino over Robert De Niro.
I don't really have much of an argument to make here—it’s just a personal preference that exists...

So, what exactly is it about Italians that you guys think sets them apart?

😕

restlessorca9 said:so how do you guys tell Italians apart?

😕

nice way to kick things off 🤣 👍

That’s a tough one because they’re both absolute legends...
but if I had to lean one way, I’d say Robert De Niro takes it. There's just something about his charm, you know? He carries himself with this effortless coolness, whereas the other guy usually ends up playing those high-strung, frantic comic characters.🙂