An exciting and beautiful film.

Rating: 10/10 (16 August 2004)

I went out to Blockbusters last night and decided to check out Raging Bull after hearing a good review from a friend. After seeing it for the second time, I was quite impressed. The first time I watched it, I felt as if it wasn't worth all the hype it's been given and it seemed to have started in an odd way for me, a way I didn't like. I didn't really know what was happening on screen... so much, that I started it over about thirty minutes into the movie in an attempt to catch everything. The whole Vickie at the pool scene really seemed to throw me off for some reason, heh.
However, this morning, I woke up and decided to give it another chance. I realized a lot more this time around and really got into the overall style of the film that seemed to be missing the first time around. De Niro was, of course, excellent... but what really seemed to stand out for me was Pesci's performance as Jake La Motta's brother, Joey. He played the role very well, I thought... almost as if he knew the guy. I also felt that Frank Vincent did a fine job as Salvy.
Moving on to what it's all about, Raging Bull takes you into the the real story of boxer Jake La Motta and the problems he not only faced in the ring, but outside of it as well. Including some of the greatest boxing sequences I've seen in motion pictures, Scorsese shows once again what a good film is all about. Certainly one of my favorites, I can't wait to pick up the DVD to own for myself.