The greatest of the fight films

Rating: 10/10 (6 August 2000)

Robert De Niro gives a true tour-de-force in this, Martin Scorsese's operatic adaptation of the story of prizefighter Jake La Motta, based on his book. Shot in glorious black and white, with a terrific editing job by Thelma Schoonmaker, the film also offers what is considered De Niro's greatest performance in a illustrious career. De Niro plays La Motta with searing realism during his years as a fighter and his days as an overweight (De Niro actually gained roughly 50 lbs. to play La Motta at that point in his life) , third-rate comedian in his own nightclub. Joe Pesci and Cathy Moriarty give notable performances as Joey an Vickie La Motta, Jake's brother and wife. La Motta's is a story of a man who was a champion at one time, but fell into a self-destructive state, a broken man and a failure. Scorsese's bravura comes though fully as well, telling the story of such a repulsive figure, and still turning in a piece which gives us a feel of Shakespearean tragedy.