Iconic actor Robert De Niro has revealed the most unique piece of acting advice he gave his Dirty Grandpa co-star Zac Efron for portraying intoxication on screen. Speaking on The Graham Norton Show, Efron recalled De Niro’s suggestion to simply start spinning around aimlessly.
While filming the 2016 comedy about a debauched road trip to Florida, De Niro passed on various “great legendary tips” to guide Efron in believably playing drunk for certain scenes without overacting. But there was one offbeat trick that stuck out.
What Exactly Was Robert De Niro’s Wacky Advice?
In an interview on The Graham Norton Show, Zac Efron talked about what weird advice Robert De Niro gave him for acting in a drunk scene. Per Zac Efron’s recollection, De Niro advised,
“Oh you know it spinning circles, spin a lot of circles… yeah, and like literally he had to play drunk in this scene and he would just spin in circles. You just go like until you couldn’t stand anymore.”
So whenever Efron’s character needed to act intoxicated on camera, De Niro proposed he try earnestly spinning around in circles beforehand to disorient himself and assume an authentic stumbling, reeling posture.
Amusingly, Efron added that De Niro followed his own advice in an unspecified drunken scene by continually pirouetting until dizzy and then playing the takes as though totally smashed.
Did Zac Efron end up Using this Unorthodox Technique?
Efron stated the spinning guidance was “the simplest coolest piece of advice ever,” though it’s unclear if he actually employed the silly method himself. Regardless, De Niro’s playful trick aligns with his reputation for intense commitment and outside-the-box preparation.
And Efron clearly appreciated bonding with the legendary performer over the challenge of believably playing drunk. De Niro’s openness in sharing his own time-tested tactics surely boosted Efron’s confidence as well.
So whether or not audiences see Efron clumsily spinning on his toes before staggering around in Dirty Grandpa, De Niro’s oddball tip evidently made quite the impression as on-set moment of zen guidance.
How Was Robert De Niro’s Performance Received Despite Negative Reviews?
While Dirty Grandpa itself earned scathing reviews as a vulgar and formulaic “buddy comedy” relying on crass gags, both critics and fans felt De Niro’s committed comedic performance was a highlight.
Despite the film “wasting his talents,” many felt De Niro exhibited his underrated knack for physical comedy as the politically incorrect, troublemaking titular grandpa. In particular, reviewers cited his drunk scenes as convincing showcases of the subtle talents required to play intoxication humor effectively.
So, even if using his unique spinning method or not, De Niro clearly knows how to craft an uproariously smashed character. That invaluable expertise surely aided Efron in expanding his range alongside a legendary funnyman.
De Niro’s method of spinning circles seems so absurd to imagine, but it taps into an actor’s “whatever it takes” mindset to nail a scene. And it would not surprise audiences if on-set photos one day emerge showing the committed stars earnestly twirling and lurching about to induct woozy character states pre-take.
