Robert De Niro’s Best Movie According to Critics Is a Surprising 1985 Cult Classic With a Kate Bush Connection

Robert De Niro has been giving movie fans plenty to talk about after appearing on The Good Hang podcast, where conversations about his career naturally bring up the question: What is his best film? Many viewers would probably choose Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, Goodfellas or The Godfather Part II. But Rotten Tomatoes’ critics-based ranking points to a much more unexpected answer: Brazil, the 1985 cult classic directed by Terry Gilliam.

Critics Chose a Very Different De Niro Movie

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The legendary actor Robert De Niro had become so accustomed to carrying films, and his stardom had risen so high by the mid-1980s—following Taxi Driver, The Godfather Part II, and Raging Bull—that he initially wanted a larger role in Brazil. He had hoped to play Jack Lint, but when that part went to Michael Palin, he still wanted to be involved and took on the small yet memorable role of Harry Tuttle. Even with limited screen time, De Niro’s portrayal of the rogue heating engineer remains one of the film’s most iconic performances—not to mention an infinite source of humor in this boisterous black comedy thriller. Brazil (1985) is owned by Universal Pictures and Embassy International Pictures, and the footage used in this reel falls under fair use for commentary, criticism, and educational purposes. #robertdeniro #godfather #actor #actors #director #filmtok #movietok #movie @Mozart Gabriel

♬ Very Sad – Enchan

The ranking is based on Rotten Tomatoes’ Tomatometer, which aggregates reviews from professional film critics. It is not a fan vote or an audience ranking, making the result even more surprising. Critics have placed Brazil above the movies most closely associated with De Niro’s legacy as one of Hollywood’s greatest crime drama and psychological thriller actors.

De Niro’s career is often connected to intense performances, his longtime creative partnership with Martin Scorsese and his unmistakable New York persona. Brazil is a very different kind of movie. The dystopian science fiction black comedy stars Jonathan Pryce as a mild-mannered government employee caught in a bizarre world of bureaucracy, malfunctioning technology and impossible rules. De Niro appears in a memorable supporting role as Harry Tuttle, a rebellious repairman who works outside the system.

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The Robert De Niro Performance You Might Not Expect

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Celebrating 40 Years of “Brazil”: Robert De Niro’s Role in Saving the Film Join Robert De Niro as he takes a trip down memory lane on ‘The Late Show with Stephen Colbert’, discussing his involvement in the cult classic “Brazil”. Discover how his connection to the producer helped save this iconic film from being shelved. Brazil40Years RobertDeNiro FilmHistory#trending #entertainment #gream

♬ original sound – gream.space – gream.space

It is hardly the first movie most people would name when discussing De Niro’s greatest work—and that is what makes the ranking so intriguing. Even in a supporting role and in a genre far removed from his usual screen image, De Niro creates a character that has stayed with audiences.

The movie also has an unexpected music connection. Composer Michael Kamen recorded a version of the song “Brazil” featuring Kate Bush on vocals. Her recording was not included in the finished film, but it was later released through subsequent soundtrack editions, giving fans a fascinating glimpse at the movie that might have been.

That Kate Bush connection adds a little extra emotional pull to a film already being rediscovered through De Niro’s current pop-culture moment. As fans revisit his work following his Good Hang appearance and look ahead to his next movie, Brazil offers a fresh reminder that his legacy is not limited to the roles everyone already knows by heart.

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