Originally Going To Be Scorsese's Last Picture, This Character Study Of An All Too Real Boxer Is Phenomenal.

Rating: 10/10 (10 September 2014)

"Though I'm no Olivier, I would much rather... And though I'm no Olivier, If he fought Sugar Ray, He would say, That the thing ain't the ring, it's the play. So give me a... stage, Where this bull here can rage, And though I could fight, I'd much rather recite... that's entertainment."
One of the most famous soliloquies, and definitely one of the more memorable in Cinema. "Raging Bull" is a sports film like no other. No rise to the challenge, no bull training montages just pure brutal honesty. Where would I even begin to review a movie so commended?
Short answer, Robert De Niro's performance is stunning. A man so dedicated to his craft, he trained extensively under the managing of the real Jake LaMotta. LaMotta claimed De Niro could have gone pro, then Robert began a gruelling month eating fine French cuisine to gain the 60 pounds needed to portray Jake's later years. Regardless if he won the Oscar or not (Which he did), "Raging Bull" will always stand as a testament to De Niro's passion as a performer. Finally, Cathy Moriarty as Jake's long suffering wife and Joe Pesci's mainstream debut are wonderful. The duo that is Pesci & De Niro are so good on screen line after line, insult over better insult. How can you go wrong when your own brother asks you to "F**king lay me out". Many themes are covered, brutal scenes of violence are depicted and even greater emotions come from some of cinema's most raw characters ever screened.
All thanks to Martin Scorsese, who De Niro had managed to help him get off a cocaine addiction and pursue the project. His films are always pushing the very edge of movie ratings but regardless of what anyone says, to censor any artists work could possibly hinder almost every chance of the mediums growth. Scorsese's camera work and mannerisms continue to hold up even today, further solidifying my belief as the West's 2nd best director (Number 1 goes to Kubrick).
Final Verdict: The best movie to ever be made about boxing that isn't a documentary. 10/10.