Scorsese and DeNiro's Masterpiece...

Rating: 10/10 (22 March 2007)

"Raging Bull" stands out as an all-time classic, easily director Martin Scorsese's greatest work. The film chronicles the life and times of 1940's middleweight champion boxer Jake Lamotta. In stark contrast to Sylvester Stallone's "Rocky", this film is more visceral and even ugly at times. LaMotta's personal demons are exorcised in gritty black-and-white, his struggles and rage are fleshed out with unflinching realism.
The performances in this film are so relaxed, the viewer sometimes feels as if he/she is watching a documentary, a black-and-white reality show set in 1940's era Bronx. Frequent improvisation on the part of the actors also contributes to a sense of captured reality. This style of filmmaking has been widely imitated ever since; such realism in film was virtually non-existent at the time "Raging Bull" came to the screen.
Robert DeNiro gives the performance of his career as the iconic LaMotta. His performance earned him the Oscar for Best Actor. As the "Bronx Bull", DeNiro is tough and passionate. The viewer is drawn to care about this character primarily because of the strong personal connection formed as a result of the realistic, and totally original Scorsese exhibition. Witness the brutal odyssey of a struggling fighter, shot through with flashes of rage and violence. Jake's condition is all too human, his personality illustrated through various conversations and fight sequences. It is an angry and impatient portrayal, Jake simply wants to win, and to do so with his two fists and burning heart. Outside the ring, Jake is restless, impatient and defiant against the rigged establishment that keeps him from getting his title shot. Respect is paramount in Jake's world, any perceived sleight against him is returned with fiery anger. These issues of respect and retribution are instinctive to male viewers; every man can identify with another's struggle for respect and identity, as well as adolescent testosterone flare-ups and territorial immaturity in relationships. All of these essentially male experiences are magnified by Jake's boiling anger, which he unleashes in the ring with nothing short of ferocity.
This film avoids clear-cut resolutions. Jake's struggles continue long after his exit from the ring, through physical decline as well as divorce, his peace and happiness remains elusive as he plummets to a variety of lows throughout his retirement. The Mascagni score is passionate and this music provides a steady comfort throughout the peaks of Jake's life, creating an emotional and bittersweet counter-balance to his sad decline.
Joe Pesci's portrayal of Jake's brother Joey is also memorable. Joey's own bursts of anger echo those of his brother and Pesci's brilliant performance is a preview of his character Tommy in Scorsese's "Goodfellas".
Cathy Moriarty also shines as Jake's girlfriend (and later wife), Vickie. Scenes between Moriarty and DeNiro reveal genuine, and crucial chemistry between the two.
Above all, "Raging Bull" is a story brought to life by Scorsese's genius as a filmmaker. Alongside film editor Thelma Schoonmaker, Scorsese's cuts are imaginative and clever, action in the ring is captured up close and personal and shots are beautifully interchanged to create the right mood for each sequence. As mentioned before, the theme music for this picture is the Intermezzo by Mascagni, a gorgeous Italian piece which accents the bittersweet nostalgia of Jake's career and personal peaks, as well as underlining the sadness of his low points.
"Raging Bull" continues to endure as a classic film as well as a milestone in movie-making. This picture is all heart.