De Niro’s Decree

He's one of the greatest actors of our time. He's turned in time and time again awe-inspiring performances in roles that have helped to redefine modern cinema. But why, oh why, does Robert De Niro still persevere in trying to make us laugh too? OK, there have been exceptions. His sewer rat freedom fighter Archibald 'Harry' Tuttle in Terry Gilliam's brilliant Brazil was a classic comic creation. And the ex-CIA man and suspicious Dad in Meet the Parents wasn't bad at raising a good hearty chuckle either. But when he's actually deliberately playing it for laughs rather than stoically fulfilling the straight man role, De Niro's track record is decidedly more than iffy. The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle anyone? Yes, we think we've made our point. It was heart in the mouth time this morning then, when we heard that De Niro is lining up another movie with a more than light-hearted vein of humour running bang the way through it. He's agreed to topline an action film entitled Rule Number Three which worryingly intends to mix drama and comedy in a tale about a worm that most definitely turns. The plot revolves around an arrogant firearms tycoon who attempts to bully some poor, apparently average bloke but gets more than his just deserts when his victim turns out to be an accomplished assassin who wants to teach his foe a very severe lesson indeed. With The X Files and Reign of Fire director Rob Bowman slated to direct, this one's going to need a very steady hand to keep it from grounding on the cringe-making comedy rocks. For an example of such a comedy shipwreck, check out the trailer for De Niro's latest Analyze That. His mobster send-up schtick with Billy Crystal managed a few laughs in the original Analyze This back in 1999, but this sequel's one that should have definitely stayed in development for ever.