No discounting what star power mixed with laughs can do

ABOUT four decades ago, Robert De Niro played a mentally unstable New York cabbie who stood in front of a mirror and went: "You talking to me?" That scene from Taxi Driver (1976) is a pivotal one in his career and earned him numerous Best Actor nominations and awards.

Fast forward to 2015 and the 72-year-old appears to be parodying it in his latest film, The Intern. His character, a retiree who signs up for a work experience stint, pulls all sorts of funny faces in front of a mirror while practising how to blink naturally.

It is a hilarious sight, no question, but that is not a scene that film studies students or critics will analyse years from now. Neither will it be remembered when one discusses De Niro's career highlights.