When looking at the worst Robert De Niro movies, it’s not exactly a coincidence that most of them are comedies. But that’s not to say he’s never made any positive contributions to the genre. In addition to favorites like “Meet the Parents” and “Analyze This,” there are a few other films where De Niro brings the funny that don’t get enough credit. And one such example is 2023’s “About My Father,” directed by Laura Terruso and co-written by and co-starring stand up comedian Sebastian Maniscalco.
In the film, Maniscalco plays himself as he interacts with fictionalized versions of his real friends and family — with De Niro as Maniscalco’s father, Salvo. Discussing his motivation to tell this story on the screen as opposed to a comedy stage, Maniscalco told us in an exclusive interview, “Sometimes, the stories that I have about my father don’t lend themselves to being on stage — [they’re] more relationship-driven. A movie allowed me to develop […] not only the relationship I have with my father but my fiancée and her family.” As of this writing, it is sitting at the second spot on Netflix’s ten-most watched movies list (via FlixPatrol).
Robert De Niro bonded with the real-life Salvo while prepping for About My Father
The main conceit of “About My Father” is that Sebastian Maniscalco is looking to propose to his girlfriend, Ellie (Leslie Bibb). But Ellie is an all-American girl, something that Sebastian’s old fashioned Sicilian father, Salvo (De Niro), takes issue with. Eventually, Sebastian is able to convince a very reluctant Salvo to spend more time with Ellie and her family, although this proves to only be half the battle. Culture clashes abound in this sweet multi-generational rom-com about relationships, family, and tradition.
While making “About My Father,” De Niro was able to spend time with the real Salvo Maniscalco in order to get more in tune with playing him. In fact, De Niro bonded with Salvo, making the whole production feel like a family affair. Critics might not have warmed up to it, but audiences loved “About My Father,” and, judging from its recent performance on streaming, it seems to be just the kind of movie that people are wanting to cozy up with right now.