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De Niro embodies Madoff in HBO's scam drama
26 Mar
Summary
- Robert De Niro portrays Bernie Madoff in a one-off HBO drama.
- Michelle Pfeiffer delivers a sympathetic performance as Ruth Madoff.
- The film focuses on the Madoff family's devastating experience.
Robert De Niro embodies the infamous financier Bernie Madoff in HBO's "The Wizard of Lies," a 2017 drama delving into the colossal financial scandal he orchestrated. De Niro’s portrayal captures Madoff’s complex mix of modesty and arrogance.
Michelle Pfeiffer stars as Ruth Madoff, delivering a remarkably sympathetic performance after a four-year hiatus from acting. Her resemblance to Madoff was so striking that Pfeiffer often experienced moments of disbelief on set. The film, directed by Barry Levinson, explores the profound personal toll of Madoff’s crimes.
Rather than solely focusing on the financial victims, "The Wizard of Lies" centers on the devastating ripple effect of the scandal on the Madoff family. Pfeiffer noted the tragedy of Ruth's situation, emphasizing how she lost everything overnight and was unfairly demonized. This dramatic approach to the personal aftermath was a significant achievement.
