MovieChat Forums > Hoffa (1992) Discussion > Devito badly miscast himself

Devito badly miscast himself

posted 16 years ago by RickVee
22 replies | jump to latest

Devito casting himself as Bobby pretty much ruined this film. You cannot take his character seriously. He goes from being an uncouth truck driver to a sophisticated wheeling and dealing Teamster head honcho. Its so laughable. And that he portrays his dwarf like character as a tough guy in the scenes with the gun at the club and the Asst US Atty with the search warrant is a new low in cinema. And the scene where he was apparently banging the hot chick in Vegas......yeah right, Devito. Devito was clearly out of touch with reality on this. He just couldn't resist playing the tough, sophisticated, hot chick bangin' gansta Teamster.

In your dreams, Devito.

Its a shame because if directed properly this could have been a great film.

[–] 16 years ago

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[–] RickVee 16 years ago

Both.

He was the wrong guy to play that part. No way he could pull that off.
And as the Director, he is responsible for recognizing that.

He was the best as Louie Depalma on Taxi though.

[–] 16 years ago

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[–] 16 years ago

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[–] moviegeek71 16 years ago

And the scene where he was apparently banging the hot chick in Vegas......yeah right, Devito. Devito was clearly out of touch with reality on this.

I think you have seriously underestimated the value of the dollar, Sir.

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"If I've never seen it before, it's a new release to me."

[–] RickVee 16 years ago

Well he's a rich guy in real life and he's got Rhea Perlman.'Nuff said.

[–] moviegeek71 16 years ago

Well, there's a big difference between real life and what you see in a movie. However, in reference to Rhea, if they are happily in love then they have everything (regardless of social status or physical appearance). I'm sure if he wanted the "Anna Nicole" type of girlfriend that certainly could happen, I respect him for his choice to find real love and not just a fine piece of ass to show off.

Keeping on topic, I tried to find a picture of Bobby Ciaro only to find out that the person doesn't exist (according to Wikipedia and I acknowledge it is an unconfirmed source).

Bobby Ciaro is a fictional character, as per Wikipedia, "the Ciaro character was actually an amalgamation of several Hoffa associates over the years" thus the character in the movie could of been any physical stature.

He goes from being an uncouth truck driver to a sophisticated wheeling and dealing Teamster head honcho.

This happens often to people in life, it's called growing up.

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"If I've never seen it before, it's a new release to me."

[–] RickVee 16 years ago

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He goes from being an uncouth truck driver to a sophisticated wheeling and dealing Teamster head honcho.
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This happens often to people in life, it's called growing up.
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Growing up? Hmmmm.
The fact is we see nothing in this movie to explain how his character "grows up". One day he's an idiot trucker the next scene he's a smooth pro. Devito, as Director, doesn't deal with that at all.

[–] BigEasy1392 15 years ago

I don't get it. Does his occupation make him dumb? Why can't he be intelligent AND a truck driver?

I Love Lamp.

[–] Soodinum 11 years ago

Dude - you're a harsh bugger. Best Comeback. EVER.

Please do not make negative comments about a film YOU NEVER SAW. It makes you look stupid.

[–] Nearvana 16 years ago

i found him believable. so by your reasoning, i guess you think joe pesci was miscast in his tough guy, gangsta, hot chick bangin roles then? eye roll. your post almost sounds slightly bitter that someone maybe of your own stature didn't get the role. talk about being realistic. people come in all shapes & sizes & continue to squash stereotypes. thank goodness for that.

serva me, serva bote

[–] RickVee 16 years ago

Joe Pesci comes off as totally believable in his gangsta roles. Devito is nowhere near believable in his role as Bobby in HOFFA. If Devito had not directed this film he'd never have landed this role. Pesci is short but he carries himself infinitely better than Devito.

[–] 16 years ago

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[–] Jaws81 15 years ago

I agree, Rick. DeVito, as director, clearly wanted to give himself the "coolest" character, and doesn't pull it off well at all. Horribly unbelievable as a tough guy/ladies man. I think he was trying to ride the wave of Joe Pesci's Tommy from 1990's Goodfellas. The difference is, Pesci's character acts the way he does because he is so insecure about himself.

[–] actionfilm-2 15 years ago

Currently watching Hoffa (only since I enjoy writer David Mamet's work) and agree that there are no transitional scenes showing Bobby's "growth" from truck driving simpleton (absolutely no offense to Truckers) to Hoffa's wise and tough as nails right hand man. DeVito's character is an intergral part of the film so the abrupt change is noticeble. I do lean towards the role being miscast, some scenes he handles well, others not so much.

[–] brockmeeks 8 years ago

I think Jaws said it best above.

It's not about hating on Devito. He just doesn't fit the character.

They say that when you direct, if you can act its very cheap (or can be) to hire yourself. However, when you don't fit the role it looks all wrong. I wonder if anyone told him? Did the studio think that since it was Nicholson and Devito that the movie couldn't fail? War of the Roses was a hit, but not a huge one. Why was he given such a long leash here?

Nicholson had recently directed the sequel to Chinatown which failed too.

[–] SoulsDescend 14 years ago

I agree. I just watched this earlier tonight, although I started just after the credits. I remember thinking that for a movie starring Jack Nicholson as Hoffa in the movie "Hoffa", that I was sure seeing a whole lot of Danny Devito. Then as the credits roled I noticed that he directed it, and it dawned on me why a character that apparently didn't even exist had more screen time than Nicholson.

[–] ValerinAmberz 13 years ago

Totally aggree...you can't take de vito seriously in this role. He should've stayed out of it. He's pathetic in this part. Otherwise I like the movie.

Did hoffa have a dwarf sidekick?

well since you're naked you might as well f___ a friend of mine. Paul come in here!

[–] 11 years ago

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[–] Soodinum 11 years ago

You're 100% right; some actors have a huge range and you can believe them as any character. I have seen DD in many roles, and unfortunately his only believable ones are as smart aleck a**holes (Taxi, Ruthless People, etc).

He should stick to making lemonade from what he was given.

Please do not make negative comments about a film YOU NEVER SAW. It makes you look stupid.

[–] sawarrior 8 years ago

Bunch of whiners here. DeVito was fine in the character of Bobby.

[–] Soodinum 8 years ago

He came close to ruining the film with his made up character because he wanted screen time.

'Then' and 'than' are different words - stop confusing them.