Robert De Niro: He's A Star!

Best Letter
Robert De Niro, one of the finest actors of our time, has attracted audiences for over three generations quite easily (Hero Niro, Oct 23). Watching the trailer for The Intern, I couldn't wait for the movie to release here, as Anne Hathaway is also one of my personal favourites. Both bring about such realism in their roles and make you believe the story they are telling. Experience and time have made these stars perfect their art and deliver performances with such ease - and there can be no shortcut or replacement for either.
I loved the way the movie portrayed our society: it views elders as not being in tune with the current generation, in terms of technology and other trends; however, when it comes to hand-ling situations, people and jobs, they have seen and done it all. In other words, it doesn't hurt to run our problems by our parents and mentors.
In one of [director] Meyers' interviews, she mentions that there is no significant plot to look out for, while watching The Intern. The movie is meant to focus on the characters, their struggles and the comforting relationship that comes from two people
who are at different phases of their lives. A good take away from the movie is that we can always learn something from another person, if we listen.
Talking about De Niro's films, I was a huge admirer of his acting abilities, after watching Analyze This, where he played a mafia gang leader with deep psycho-logical issues - and I loved every movie of his that followed.
There is hardly an emotion that has not been portrayed by De Niro. He is equally at home with any role assigned to him. Much after we forget intricacies of the plot, we continue to remember the movie, simply on the strength of this stellar actor's portrayal of the character.
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 LEAD THE WAY
The article (5 Leadership Styles You Need To Know About, Oct 23) was very interesting, as I could relate to many of the styles listed.
I am like the democratic leader, where I listen to other people's opinions, but reading the article has made me realise that, sometimes, I need to be my own hero. With my extended family members, I play by the rules like a bureaucratic leader does, because I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings. When I am with my family and friends, I am the charismatic leader.
With my husband, I am the laissez-faire leader; we give each other space, although he is actually too skilled and driven for me to be the leader with him. The last type is the autocratic leader - how I wish I was in complete control of any situation but with two little boys, aged three and one, who make me dance to their tunes all day, I guess that's not going to be possible. for now.
Tasneem Mustansir, by email
THE SKY'S THE LIMIT
The article "Mountains saved my life" (Oct 23) throws us an important life lesson: that there is no problem that lies outside our mind, and since the locus of the problem is our mind, the very solution also lies in our mind.
The bitter truth is that most of us are not mentally insured against brutal experiences and do not know how to respond with courage and strength. It is but the natural tendency of the mind to immediately lower our morale and take us through the cycle of shock, sorrow, depression, fear and low self-esteem.
Richard Parks was no exception to this when a shoulder injury ended his rugby career - but he rose above the negative, and was clever enough to see the untapped potential of his mind, which gave him the physical and mental stamina to pursue the 737 challenge of climbing the seven highest peaks and three poles within seven months. His mental strength has also given him the ability to look upon the unpleasant events of his life with a sense of gratitude now. He is living proof for the famous saying, "As you think, so shall you become."
Sairam, by email
GOOD FOOD, GOOD DAY
Olive Garden is one of our favourite places to dine at, so it was a delight to read an article rev-iewing the place. We'd first tried it randomly while visiting family in the US some time back. When we heard that the restaurant had opened up in Dubai too, we were extremely keen to try it out, hoping that the standard would be the same here.
My family and I now visit the place at least once a month. Being vegetarians, we are just as satisfied as any other customer - especially with the lasagna fritta, and generous portions of salad and bread. We almost always pack our main course of pasta or pizza to finish back home, as our eyes tend to be bigger than our stomachs. But I am definitely going to sample the apple crosata on our next visit.
The staff is courteous and friendly. They remember us well, as my baby boy is always up to mischief. They greet us with a warm smile and give him colouring sheets to keep him happy.
A feel-good experience after eating a good meal - much like watching a great movie - makes the weekend a well-spent one.
Krishnan, by email