Masterpiece about the physical strength but mental weakness of (some) men

Rating: 9/10 (7 January 2012)

Robert De Niro & Martin Scorsese are a brilliant duo, and this might be their best collaboration! De Niro portrays Jake LaMotta, a raging and self-destructive boxer, hence his nickname "The Raging Bull". But actually the film isn't about boxing, that's just the setting. The real themes are paranoia and jealousy; about how a man desires a beautiful woman at first, but due to insecurity loses his touch with reality and dwells into mistrusting every move she makes. Freud called it the Madonna-whore complex, look it up ;) The performances are great, and De Niro rightfully received an Oscar for best actor. During this movie he transforms from a fit young prizefighter to an overweight retired old man, gaining an astounding 33 kg! But everything is right in this movie; the directing, the editing, the use of black & white, the camera-work, the supporting actors. Without a doubt a Great Movie and one of the best of the '80.
My score: 9.5 out of 10 Rating: R / Kijkwijzer: 16