Raw and gritty, not a feel-good film.

Rating: 8/10 (27 January 2019)

The Raging Bull, released in 1980, is a film directed by Martin Scorsese and stars Robert DeNiro and Joe Pesci as brothers Jake and Joey LaMotta. Jake LaMotta was a popular boxer turned controversial figure in the 1940's and 50's. DeNiro drove the vision of the film, as he was fascinated with LaMotta's life. Raging Bull takes the viewer on a journey through the rise to success and ultimate demise of a talented but troubled athlete. It was shot in black and white, to not only pay homage to 1940's boxing, but to reflect the darkness of the subject matter. The film is not for the faint of heart, as it is peppered with scenes of dramatic violence. Not only violence during the intimately-filmed boxing scenes, but domestic violence between LaMotta and both his first and second wives. The combination of Scorsese's direction, and DeNiro's acting is magical. The movie generates an emotional response throughout the entire 2 hours and 9 minutes of running time. From the beginning, when a young LaMotta is navigating through the boxing world, as well as his relationships with his brother and associates, until the end when he is breaking down alone in his jail cell, the viewer feels like they have been on this emotional roller coaster right along with him. All of the characters are from low-to-middle class neighborhoods in New York, are uneducated and lack a governor on their emotions. Scenes can sway from pleasant and touching to explosive in just a few short minutes. In one scene, Joey (LaMotta's brother, played by Pesci) is eating dinner with his family, and he threatens to stab his son with a knife if he doesn't stop playing with his food. The beginning of the story elicits a sense of hope. Jake LaMotta is winning fights, becoming a more seasoned fighter and starting a life with his second wife, Vickie. While the circumstances of their courtship were questionable, with Jake being married and Vickie being only 15 years old, the love between them seems to soften Jake and give him more purpose in life. Ultimately, Jake's demons overcome him. They creep in slowly, starting with fits of insecurity and jealously, and spiral into violence, substance abuse and other reckless behavior. DeNiro physically transformed himself, gaining 60 pounds to portray the fighter turned comedian and sleazy club owner. By the end of the movie, Vickie has become fed up and leaves LaMotta, who is ultimately arrested for nefarious activities in his nightclub. Any movie that can create a personal connection between the viewer and characters can be considered excellent, in my opinion, and the Raging Bull did exactly that.