It’s difficult to be considered a film buff whilst not knowing who Martin Scorsese is. His movies of the past twenty years alone have all been acclaimed with enough prominence to immortalize him as one of the greatest filmmakers to ever live. It’s still important to remember where he came from, how he started, and how his work has evolved over time. To that point, his 1980 picture Raging Bull comes to mind. At the time of its release, Scorsese and the film’s star Robert De Niro had already began to build their respective careers. Raging Bull, most likely, insured they’d always have a place in the business going forward.
Raging Bull set a standard for biopics and sports films alike when it hit screens more than forty years ago. It revolves around legendary boxer Jake La Motta from the time he was a contender to when he eventually became the champion. Even though Jake La Motta was known as a beast in the world of boxing, Scorsese’s film is hardly a flattering picture of the middleweight fighter. Raging Bull shows La Motta for the complicated person that he was, pulling no punches and leaving very little out. His relationship with his brother, harsh home life (mostly attributed to his own behavior) and his issues with boxing corruption are put out in the open with no consideration of how it makes him look publicly.
Fans of epic fight scenes or fancy camera work in a boxing ring can either sit this out, or overlook it. This film is about a boxer but it’s not about the ‘boxing’, and the boxing scenes are definitely dated. Those who love engaging complex stories about real people are in for a delight. Scorsese lacks no style or substance in how he chooses to direct this. The acting is hit in every facet. De Niro’s version of La Motta is so ruthless that it’s almost unforgiving. His commitment to the role physically began a trend many in Hollywood now follow, and his character arc is played with a forcefully gripping vulnerability that was a tough act to follow for others in that decade. Joe Pesci as La Motta’s brother used this film as the elevator to the top of the heap. His timing, tenacity, and shared chemistry with De Niro made him a force to be reckoned with as a performer for years to follow. Cathy Moriarty though last to be mentioned, is in no way ‘least’. Moriarty as Vickie La Motta is no slouch, portraying the reality of women who stand by their man until it just becomes too much to handle.
Raging Bull explores humanity and the occasionally ugly side of it an overwhelmingly severe
Humanity isn’t always beautiful and real people are a tribute to that. Raging Bull explores humanity and the occasionally ugly side of it an overwhelmingly severe, but satisfying way. Sure it’s always nice to see the stories with ‘feel good’ imagery and happy endings. The unfortunate thing is, life isn’t always like that, and no filmmaker knows that better than Martin Scorsese.
