Robert De Niro and Marlon Brando have only featured on screen together once, and it was for the heist film The Score. Though the two have played the same character in different films (and have both won Oscars for it), they never shared the screen in The Godfather films. However, in Frank Oz’s The Score, the two legends finally did.
The film, which was released in 2001 and was Brando’s final film before his death, is currently streaming for free on Kanopy and YouTube (with ads). The film was a moderate success at the box office, though it received positive reviews.
Roger Ebert Called a 25-Year-Old Robert De Niro Movie the Best of Its Genre
Marlon Brando and Robert De Niro in The Score | Credits: Paramount Pictures
Prominent film critic Roger Ebert is a tough nut to crack. The noted critic is famous for disparaging popular films while also contributing to film criticism with a distinct authorial voice. However, among all the heist films that have come out in the past few decades, Ebert termed Robert De Niro’s The Score as the best and purest of the genre.
Though Ebert gave the film only 3.5 stars out of 5, the critic appreciated Frank Oz’s reverence to the genre, stating that the essential elements were there and were pitched perfectly for the film. He also appreciated the performances of Robert De Niro, Edward Norton, and Marlon Brando (via Roger Ebert).
While De Niro, Brando, and Norton seemed to be the highlight of the film, Ebert pointed out that Angela Bassett’s character, De Niro’s love interest who only agrees to marry him if he leaves his life of crime behind, was wasted and was underwritten. Other supporting actors like Gary Farmer and Jamie Harrold were also appreciated.
Ebert’s main point was that The Score had all the elements of a heist film and it stayed true to the genre. Right from the performances to the Montreal Customs House positioned as the most impenetrable building, these are all staples of the genre, making it the ‘best and purest’ film in the genre.
Marlon Brando’s Final Film Saw Him Clash with the Director
Marlon Brando in The Score | Credits: Paramount Pictures
Despite his legendary status as an actor, Marlon Brando has been known to be difficult on set. The actor famously showed up overweight and bald on the sets of Francis Ford Coppola’s Apocalypse Now, and was severely underprepared for the role of Colonel Kurtz. He also apparently refused to learn his lines for The Godfather.
However, on Frank Oz’s The Score, the legendary actor clashed repeatedly with Oz. The filmmaker was known for his puppeteering work on The Muppets, and Brando apparently mocked him by calling him Miss Piggy. Tensions rose to such a height that Brando reportedly refused to be on set with Oz (via FarOut).
Robert De Niro reportedly directed Brando on set, and Oz was monitoring the scenes remotely. Frank Oz later admitted that he was more confrontational and that could have been the reason for the tension (via Ain’t It Cool),
I f*cked up again there, absolutely. My job was to nourish and support an actor, and I was more confrontational because I thought I had to be tough with him. And I pushed him the wrong way; it was my fault.
Oz, who played Yoda in the Star Wars films, later went on to direct Death at a Funeral, which was largely regarded as one of the best comedies.
What do you think about The Score? Comment below.
The Score is available to stream for free on Kanopy and YouTube.
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