An Experience Unmatched in Film

Rating: 10/10 (20 June 2000)

What makes Raging Bull so good is that it is a biographical movie that avoids the trap of hero worship. Martin Scorsese made a movie that is about a boxer, but it's not about boxing; rather, it's about the person. He obviously cared quite a bit about telling the story of Jake LaMotta, and the end result is a superb movie.
Of course, it doesn't hurt that Robert DeNiro gives one of the finest acting performances I've ever seen. Every time I watch it, I am amazed by how well he defines his character and how he becomes him in every way. Even minor scenes, like the first conversation he has with his brother, are so perfectly acted (by all parties) that it's a futile effort to stop watching the movie. In many ways, it is much like George C. Scott's portrayal of General Patton... DeNiro simply becomes his character and doesn't let up.
Everything about this movie is amazing. The supporting actors (Pesci, Moriarity, Vincent, etc.) are all superb and give extra layers of humanity to the picture (Pesci's performance here was even better than his in Goodfellas, in my opinion). The black & white photography is rich and interesting. The movie unwinds at a perfect pace and stays interesting throughout. The boxing scenes are true works of art. The power behind each fight is well-represented, and Scorsese does a superb job of showing exactly what is going on in LaMotta's mind every time he fights. Most movies would be happy to have one memorable scene that sticks with the viewer. Raging Bull has more than a dozen.
It's impossible to watch this film without feeling sad at the end. Still, every time I watch it I am in awe of how good it is. It's all too easy to sympathize with the characters (in spite of their flaws), and it's all too easy to be drawn into the storytelling and the uniqueness of the boxing sequences. Martin Scorsese is a master of film, and Raging Bull showcases it perfectly.