A Classic.

Rating: 9/10 (30 January 2003)

How did this film only win two Oscars? (Deserved ones at that!) It is easily won of the best films in the 80's and with hindsight everyone gives this classic the recognition it deserves. I do not know much about boxing but I can understand from Raging Bull the brutality of life in the ring and how it effects people, like Jake LaMotta in their normal lifestyle. My all time favourite actor, Robert De Niro, masterfully portrays LaMotta as a determined character whose aggression and brutality that he he feels in the sport transcends into his life. In the final monologue he is almost a fallen hero as he wonderfully conveys his life in a passioned soliloquy. Scorsese uses classic film-making techniques, in depth, almost psychological, characterisation and sudden bursts of conflict, retribution and remorse to make the film very human indeed. Ultimately this is character driven drama at its finest and more this helps the film to flow excellently through the contrasts of LaMotta's domestic violence with his professional violence, which as brutal as it is, is not played for hatred but questions morality and on a deeper levels strives to be sympathetic. What also helps the relationship of the characters is the improvising, especially between DeNiro and Pesci. They argue and fight with great conviction and DeNiro especially is very believable (probably due to the amount of time he pent with LaMotta!)
Raging Bull is a masterpiece of direction and acting and a great film overall. The violence is very believable and realistic, amazing for a low budget film, and the beautiful black and white cinematography gives it extra, effective depth and a nostalgic sheen. It is a film that has everything and this is shown through the life of a influential if brutal man. Riveting, immaculate and emotional, this is a must see, especially for anyone who enjoys the work of Robert DeNiro and Martin Scorsese.
9/10