Most people don't get it....

Rating: 10/10 (17 July 2009)

At first glance, the film merely seems to be a one dimensional portrait of a man who's anger and destructive nature is completely out of control, yes the acting is fantastic , and many in the audience go away happy that they have understood the gist of the film...
However, on repeated viewings , the true meaning of the film emerges .... all that really, truly matters to Jake La Motta is becoming the champ! Until he reaches that goal he can allow himself absolutely no happiness, no rest, no relaxation - only anger, rage, and frustration towards everyone and everything; because the powers that be say there is no way for him to ever become the champ!! Why is this?? Without first agreeing to participate in a fixed fight he can never achieve his dream - he is repeatedly persuaded by his brother to lose in a fixed fight so local mafia can bet against him and make money, and then, and only then, will they arrange it so that he can fight against the current champion (they control exactly who fights who). They want to put him against a terrible boxer who has no chance of beating Jake, so the fight would pay big odds.
Jake finally agrees to pretend to lose the match on purpose and take a fake fall - just so he will finally get a chance at his lifelong dream, to win the championship belt.
The climax and turning point of this film is Jake's own decision to sell himself out just to win the title - taking the fall against a bum he knows he could beat. In that moment he commits suicide, but he doesn't realize it yet.
After he wins the title, he slowly realizes that he's won a hollow victory, because even though he is now finally THE CHAMP and everyone treats him like one, inside he KNOWS that he is a sellout, he's lower than dirt, he compromised all his beliefs, he sold his very soul, and he can never get it back, he is permanently tarnished -- and that eats away at him, more and more - until he becomes paranoid and distrustful soul-less wretch towards everyone, angry at the world, finally falling into a self-destructive spiral because nothing can bring back his self respect. Is it any surprise that many regard it as the greatest American film ever made?