Raging Bull

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Albus S Apr 19, 2019 This is the type of film that defines a director's career, Scorsese manages to take a traditional sports biopic and put his own spin on it. This film is legitimately gritty, we see how horrifying Jake LaMotta was as a human being and how this effected his wife, his brother and himself. The black-and-white cinematography is some of the most beautiful I have ever seen and Robert De Niro gives arguably his greatest performance in the lead role with a level of commitment seen in very few performances. This is deserving of the swaths of praise it receives because it is truly brilliant in it's storytelling, acting and it's honesty, Scorsese is on top form as he builds one of his greatest masterpieces. The film concerns the violent and unpleasant loser Jake "The Raging Bull" LaMotta as his boxing career rises and falls and his relationships with his wife and brother deteriorate. He is violent both in the ring and out of it and his jealousy over his second wife Vickie, Cathy Moriarty, threatens to derail their relationship and his sanity. We see immediately that he is dumb and shallow but desperate to win fights and willing to take abuse in order to be a champion. We never root for him but are depressed by the complete hopelessness of his situation by the end of the film. The most beautiful element of the film is the cinematography which nears perfection. The grittiness of the black-and-white fits the tone of the film and the scars and scratches that develop on Jake and Cathy's faces have an extra texture to them that make them look like they exist in a 1940s film, the era in which the film is set, like Champion (1949), although De Niro's facial scars are a lot more convincing than those that appear on Kirk Douglas' face. Simple shots of men arguing in the street also appear extremely beautiful, with a creamy, sharp look to each frame that is different to the usual background shots in a sports film. The boxing matches are where the cinematography really gets to shine as the blood squirting out of De Niro's face and the devastating blow of the opposing boxer's gloves differentiates this film, again, from your average sports biopic. The fights feel more visceral and Jake's trauma more painful when we have a vivid image in our minds of what has caused his suffering. The portrayal of LaMotta also defies convention as he is not a ï¿ 1/2~flawed' character who gains redemption through a good woman or a training montage, he is a horrible monster from the beginning and we see him get punished for his action whilst those around him continue to suffer. In comparison to Rocky (1976), the other film considered the greatest boxing film of all time, which glorifies the main character and sees him fall in love with a good woman and achieve redemption through stepping away from his amoral job and working hard to chase his dreams. If anything Raging Bull causes you to fear the central character and root for those around him to leave him, the only gratifying moment in the film occurs when Vickie finally leaves him, and this makes the film feel honest in a way that Rocky feels false. Another crucial difference is the ending, in Rocky he loses the fight but we end without seeing what Rocky's life after the fight is like, in Raging Bull we see De Niro give the famous Marlon Brando monologue from On the Waterfront (1994) and we understand how destitute he is. These differences are crucial because Raging Bull sets out not wanting to glamorize the lead character but to show how the darkness inside him is his downfall, had the film conformed to clichï¿ 1/2 (C)s this effect would have been damaged. De Niro is absolutely brilliant, not only in the moments when he gets to ham it up but also in showing a man who is just barely able to project the image of a sane individual whilst simmering with rage just below the surface. Much like Taxi Driver (1976) he makes us incredibly uncomfortable, as he lasciviously kisses two 14-year olds in a bar that he owns, and he is able to go big when it is necessary, we see him punch his wife in a horrifying scene. This was a fully deserved Best Actor win and this is a performance that makes the case for De Niro being one of the greatest actors of all time. Moriarty is sad as the beautiful young woman who becomes an abused wife and her deep voice and deadpan delivery help to normalize a terrible situation in a scarily effective way. Pesci employs his usual shtick in playing LaMotta's brother and is part of one of the best directed scenes in the film in which an enemy of the brothers has his head smashed by a taxi door. Scorsese is famed for getting great performances out of actors and although I would place Ellen Burstyn in Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore (1974) above De Niro's in this film he is still one of the all-time greats. If it is not already clear you should definitely watch this film because everything about it is so well executed, from the cinematography to the acting. I wouldn't say I enjoyed it but it amazed me as a cinematic experience and the images of De Niro being punched will stay in my mind forever. This is one of Scorsese's greatest, better than The Departed (2006) but not as great as Goodfellas (1990). That is why it is his fifth best film. See more

George W Feb 13, 2019 ï¿ 1/2 1/2~Raging Bullï¿ 1/2 1/2(TM) was directed by Martin Scorsese. The film was written by Mardik Martin and Paul Schrader; based off of the autobiography ï¿ 1/2 1/2~Raging Bull: My Storyï¿ 1/2 1/2(TM) by Jake LaMotta. It was produced by Robert Chartoff and Irwin Winkler. It first aired in 1980. The film ï¿ 1/2 1/2~Raging Bullï¿ 1/2 1/2(TM) is a story about an Italian American Boxer named Jake LaMotta and his rise to becoming the middleweight boxing champion in the 1940s. The movie begins with him training in a boxing ring as music often present within ï¿ 1/2 1/2~mob filmsï¿ 1/2 1/2(TM) plays as the soundtrack. The story starts at an Italian neighborhood in the Bronx, NY. Jake LaMotta, played by Robert DeNiro, is a young short tempered boxer whom is trying to get his chance at a title championship. His brother Joey LaMotta, played by Joe Pesci, is his manager and trainer. He does everything to help Jake get better at boxing, including setting up the matches, dealing with the politics of boxing, as well as helping him train. The film progresses as chapters in Jakeï¿ 1/2 1/2(TM)s life marked by his famous boxing matches or the years after his career. Early in the film the characters Jake and Joey are sitting by a public pool in their neighborhood, and Jake notices a young woman named Vickie, played by Cathy Moriarty. Although Jake is already married, he asks Joey about her and shows interest. Jake is a very aggressive hot headed man, whom seems to have issues with women as he continues to abuse his first wife early in life, as well as second later. His short temper frequently is cooled down by his brother as he assaults various people including his wife. The movie does not address whether Jake got a divorce from his first wife, or when it occurred. However, he decides to romantically peruse the young woman named Vickie from his neighborhood, whom he eventually marries. Jake is constantly trying to be the best boxer, a boxer whom has never been knocked out and only wins matches he is put into. Throughout the film, the boxing scene in the 1940s is portrayed as heavily influenced by the Italian mafia. Instances of games being fixed, and Jake needing the support of the local mob bosses is a running theme. As the film progresses Jake continues to win his matches and pushes his training harder until finally he is able to fight for the middleweight championship title, and wins. Conflicts continue to arise for Jake as he is extremely aggressive, paranoid, and jealous of any man potentially connected to his new wife Vickie. One evening Joey sees Vickie getting dinner with some ï¿ 1/2 1/2~old friendsï¿ 1/2 1/2(TM) from the neighborhood. A mobster named Salvy, played by Frank Vincent, is at the table with other men when Joey walks up to her knowing how Jake will view this dinner. She argues with him and returns to the table. At this point Joey tries to get her to leave the venue when Salvy steps in and says there is nothing going on its just an innocent dinner, Joey does not believe that and beats Salvy half to death. This conflict becomes such a big deal that Joey has to have a ï¿ 1/2 1/2~sit downï¿ 1/2 1/2(TM) with the local mob boss Tommy Como, played by Nicholas Colasanto. This meeting was to clear the air and prevent any retaliation against Joey and his brother, it is also discussed that the whole matter be kept under wraps from Jake; as everyone was aware of his temper. The Italian mafia seems to be protecting their asset, a rising Italian American boxer with ties to their organization. Jake LaMottaï¿ 1/2 1/2(TM)s violence and paranoia ultimately culminate to the point where he believes everyone has slept with his wife, resulting in him beating up his brother Jake, his wife Vickie, and anyone whom he suspected she could be interested in. An example of this is when Vickie says one comment that people think this other boxer is cute; the moment Jake gets a chance to fight this other boxer in the ring, he violently destroys his face and wins the match. This turning point in the film occurs after Jakes success in the middleweight championship, as his life continues to break apart as a result of his paranoia unchecked anger. As Jakeï¿ 1/2 1/2(TM)s career as a boxer starts to wane, he decides to open a club/restaurant. He performs comedy there as well as hosts other entertainers. After years of abuse, his wife Vickie decides to leave him and take sole custody of their kids. Joey is still not speaking with Jake since the day he beat him up over his paranoias, but they ultimately speak again near the end of the film. Jakes life continues to get worse when he gets in trouble with the law for serving underage girls at his club. His finances become so strained that he tries selling the jewels from his championship belt, but is unable to come up with enough to pay the fines, resulting in additional legal action against him. CONT... See more

George R Feb 5, 2019 Great boxing drama about middleweight Jake Lamotta. Well played by Robert Deniro.

Jan 28, 2019 Based on the life of boxer Jake LaMotta, Raging Bull is another awesome film directed by Martin Scorsese which doesn't disappoint. Something that stands out from the beginning of the movie is that it was filmed in black and white - a big risk taken by Scorsese, yet the right choice since it gives the viewer a feel of what point in time this story took place. This also allows the viewer's attention to be solely drawn to the script of the film. As Jake LaMotta, Robert DeNiro delivered a strong performance from beginning to end as we watch LaMotta's trajectory of self-destruction due to inner conflict, and extreme struggle when it comes to controlling his anger without reacting with either verbal or physical violance. His inability to control his temper, violent behavior and bad decisions leads to a tragic end of the 3 things he loves the most: his boxing career, his marriage and his relationship with his brother. His wife Vickie LaMotta is played by Cathy Moriarty and brother Joey by Joe Pesci could not have been better casting choices for these roles. For the most part, I would say that this movie centers mostly around LaMotta's turbulent relationship specially with his wife and his insecurities and need to control her every move. With the great acting skills portrayed and exceptional screenplay by writers Paul Schrader and Madik Martin, I was completely hooked from beginning to end. In multiple scenes, specially those where there is intense arguing and even domestic violence, the intensity between the characters can be felt. It is sad to see how this individual seems to be taking a lot of beatings in life regardless of how many boxing matches he wins. Another production highlight is the music and sounds. For example, when LaMotta is fighting in the ring, the crowd's energy can be felt. Also when he has a major fight with his wife and brother, the intensity of the moment with the sound of punches and all other surrounding sounds leaves an imprint with the viewers. Overall, I highly recommend this film. I personally specifically enjoy biographies and was hooked from beginning to end. An overall great production. See more

Luke G Jan 28, 2019 The 1980 film Raging Bull is a drama film written by Paul Schrader, Mardik Martin, and Martin Scorsese. Raging Bull is also directed by Martin Scorsese. This film is starring Robert De Niro, Cathy Moriarty, Joe Pesci, Frank Vincent, Nicholas Colasanto, and Theresa Saldana. Raging Bull is a dramatic film focusing on the life of boxer Jake La Motta. Jake La Motta was a boxing champion turned stand up comedian. Jakes life was troubled by domestic violence, greed, anger, jealousy, and lack of trust. In this film you watch Jake La Motta once promising boxer fall from grace, lose his wife and kids, go to Jail, and eventually try to pick up the pieces of his broken life. The film is very loud and dramatic. Robert De Niro plays Jake La Motta. He gives an excellent performance, he really sells the anger and emotions his character is feeling. Joe Pesci plays Joey, Jakes younger brother/manager. Joe Pesci gives a great performance in the supporting role and really works well with Robert De Niro. Joey and Jakes brotherly relationship adds a great dynamic to the film as we can all see the fractures starting between their relationship. Raging Bull focuses less on the boxing aspect of Jake La Motta's life than I would have liked to see. During the boxing scenes they didn't quite sell it for me. It would have been nice to have seen more technical boxing moves. On the transition to comedy it was done quite well. Robert De Niro really stood out when delivering those monologues. The Performances were compelling, and I can see how this movie really helped push Robert De Niro to excel in his acting career. Overall this was a decent film it had a lot of elements to make a great movie. I don't see myself ever watching it again but for those who are really into the dramas this film is right up their alley. In conclusion Raging Bull is a very powerful film that shines with the performances from the actors/actresses but for me falls short in some of the excitement and technical elements. See more

Harry P Jan 28, 2019 The movie Raging Bull by Martin Scorsese, featuring Robert De Niro, a masterpiece? I don't get it, but respect the opinions of others. From the beginning, it was a movie that was personally difficult to watch. Perhaps one reason may be that I am not a boxing fan - not sure? And, although the movie was in black and white, I did not care much for the blood spewing scenes. As seen throughout the movie, De Niro, in his role as Jake La Motta, a middleweight boxer, took out his frustrations on his opponents to the nth degree where there were gory blood dripping scenes - not my cup of tea. Given the demons of insecurity, jealousy, and superiority complex which possessed De Niro's character, Scorsese was able to convey that the main character had deep issues which stemmed from his own personal frustrations as to his professional boxing career aspirations. Furthermore, his lack of respect and trust in others, including his wife, Vicky (played by Cathy Moriarty) and his brother (played by Joe Pesci) only made matters worse and complicated family interactions. Yet, Moriarty and Pesci, whom I connected with more than De Niro, did an awesome job convincing me that they on the other hand cared about De Niro's character. A plus for me was character wardrobe, hair and makeup - reminiscent of the 1940's. I did; however, have a hard time getting past De Niro's looks, especially his nose which appeared like a giant blob of silly putty in between his eyes. As this is a biographical of Jake La Motta, I looked him up and saw that despite my reservations, Scorsese nailed the look which closely resembled La Motta down to the nose. I'm not sure about the voice, but it was difficult at times to make out what De Niro was saying. Often times, muffled noises came out of his mouth which made me focus even more on the odd shaped nose. I actually found that Cathy Moriarty closely resembled La Motta's wife in real life. She was the one person I actually empathized with as she endured beatings and humiliations by De Niro's character as well as his brother Joey played by Pesci. The two brothers, Jake and Joey, played by De Niro and Pesci, were equally rude and dismissive to females, up to and including showing displays of violence. As such, this movie should be restricted to adults. There is significant foul language throughout the movie. I did not see this movie when it came out in 1980, as I was underage. I am pretty confident that it is not something of interest today. This said, as a movie on the top 100 greatest American movies, recommend seeing at least once for you may very well agree with the many others who consider it a masterpiece. See more

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