Raging Bull

Often cited as containing one the greatest performances of all-time (De Niro), 'Raging Bull' is also a superb film in itself, essaying the destructive animal-like violent tendencies that lead to the downfall of real-life boxer Jake La Motta.

This film is not a biography, it doesn't focus on the triumphs and failures of the subject's life, it barely even pays attention to his first wife (we don't even see their breakup) and it picks up halfway through his boxing career. Instead, it examines the downfall of La Motta, from title-holding boxing champion to overweight, and unfunny stand-up comedian.

Going the distance

Jake La Motta is a monster (as far as protagonists go anyway). He's unintelligent, unlikeable and has some serious issues with jealousy and rage. His nickname 'The Bronx Bull' is well-earned, and we witness him pulverize opponent after opponent, playing out his rage inside the ring. Much of the film focuses on his relationship with his wife (almost completely tainted with insane jealousy) and his brother (a relationship that grows more tenuous as the film progresses).

This is one of Martin Scorcese's greatest films; the fact that it's in black and white makes you forget that it was made in 1980, it makes you forget that it could've been made during any time other than the 50s, so complete is the allusion. The all-important boxing scenes have seldom been matched in brutality and direction, each shot and angle going a long way to fortify the atmosphere. The editing is tight, and the musical score is moving.

One can't review this film without mentioning De Niro. This is the peak of his career, a milestone in 20th century method-acting even. De Niro is Jake La Motta, his hair, his expressions, even his voice, are spot-on. This isn't just imitation though, De Niro becomes the character, able to improvise his lines within the movie (a common practice in De Niro/Scorcese collaborations) without losing himself. His transformation from a muscular middle-weight boxer to a fat, sweaty has-been with breathing problems can only be seen to be appreciated.

This isn't a mainstream film, don't watch it expecting a fast-paced all-fighting Hollywood production. This is a careful construction of character, simmering with the bull-like anger of it's protagonist, and an amazing showcase of talents (De Niro and Scorcese).

HIGHLIGHTS: De Niro appears in various stages of weight; lean and muscular, the pudginess between fights and bloated middle-age. The improvised scenes between De Niro and Joe Pesci are so perfect that they're hard to pick.

Enough said

TRIVIA: Nominated for 8 Academy Awards; Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor (Joe Pesci), Best Supporting Actress (Cathy Moriarty), Best Director, Best Cinematography, Best Sound, Best Actor (De Niro) and Best Film Editing. It won 2 of these awards; Best Actor and Best Film Editing.

Look out for John Turturro as an extra in a restaurant scene, it's his first film.

De Niro

Martin Scorcese was escorted by FBI security from the premises of the Oscars before the winner for Best Director was even declared due to the recent attempted assassination of Ronald Reagen. The assassination had been connected to Scorcese's film 'Taxi Driver' and he recieved government protection as a result, as they feared someone might retaliate against the director. As he left the building he remarked something along the lines of, "They haven't even presented the Best Director award yet". The guard replied, "The Robert Redford films wins".

DIRECTOR: Martin Scorcese
WRITER: Paul Schrader, Mardik Martin
ACTORS: Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, Cathy Moriarty, Frank Vincent.
SOURCE: Jake La Motta’s autobiography.

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Posted By: Luke - Category: Drama

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Comments

5 Comments. [ Add A Comment ]

Comment by Cibbuano

May 18th 2006 03:20

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Techbreak

Great film... I can't believe how chubby deNiro was...

I didn't realize Turturro was in it...

Comment by Stanley

May 20th 2006 06:16

great, great, great film! probably deniro's and scorcese's best work. it's sad to see those two great artists make crap now.

Comment by Luke

May 21st 2006 10:41

Old Movies
Cane Toad Warrior

I dunno, you can say that about De Niro, but I think Scorcese has entered into a great second wave of valuable filmmaking.

Comment by Cibbuano

May 21st 2006 22:14

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what, recently?

With the Aviator? what has he done lately?

Comment by Luke

May 22nd 2006 09:02

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Cane Toad Warrior

I liked the Aviator, and I thought Gangs of New York was tops - they're his two most recent films and I liked both a lot more than anything else a lot of other big directors (Oliver Stone, Ron Howard, Spielberg) have done lately, and his next film looks like it could be really great too.

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