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Rating: 5/10 (22 January 2020)

Raging Bull is a biographic film based on the memoir of the same name. It is based on the life of boxer Jake LaMotta and the viewer is granted access into LaMotta's prime and subsequent 20 following years. We learn that LaMotta (played by Robert DeNiro) is an Italian man with a skill for boxing in a particularly vicious and brutal style which, is not surprising, when we learn of the man he is outside of the ring. In the beginning of the film we meet a younger Jake who is in a tumultuous marriage. Him and his wife seem to be having a heated argument, and yet, his brother reminds him later, he's still a married man. This doesn't stop him however from pursuing a young (read: 15 year old) blond women whom he eventually courts and marries (of course, first, the viewer assumes he divorces his first wife).
The rest of the film's story isn't really much better. We are subject to various fight scenes where LaMotta occasionally loses (although he never falls) and more where he wins. However, more often than not the movie circles around his obsessive jealousy regarding his wife and the unfair treatment she receives. He is controlling and irrational and seemingly destroys his own life because of his insane jealousy, even at one point, fighting and alienating his own brother (who is perhaps the only person who has LaMotta's back).
Eventually, to the relief of this viewer, LaMotta's wife finally gets a divorce and moves out. LaMotta meanwhile is busy hosting comedy routines at a club and hooking up with very underage girls (read: 14 years old) as well as setting them up with older men. However, for once, things seem to catch up with LaMotta who is jailed for introducing older men to underage girls.
Does LaMotta ever really get his comeuppance? You can be the judge of that, because the film actually ends with LaMotta out of jail and ready to put on his comedy routine at a new joint (all while reminding himself he's still a champion).
Do we really need a movie about this guy? Personally, I fail to see the story or meaning or glory behind an athlete who beats his wife and treats everyone around him poorly. There's nothing glamorous about jealous rage (maybe in the ring there is, but that might just be lost on someone who doesn't appreciate sports anyways).
All this said, this movie was not poorly made. DeNiro is a fabulous actor, committing to the role so intensely he is nearly unrecognizable. His acting is superb and, somehow, even moving, despite portraying such a gross person. Scorsese is an excellent director who chose shots that evoked emotion. The jail scene in particular, shrouded in darkness that is highlighted even more against the black and white nature of the film, made me feel a large amount of pity for a character I grew to dislike. Other shots of the movie feel raw and real, especially the fights that occurred outside of the ring which left me with my mouth hanging open.
Was it one of the best movies of all time? Certainly you should be the judge of that. While I grew to dislike the story as well as Jake LaMotta and his tale, I found the editing, production, and acting to be outstanding. This movie definitely deserves at least one shot if you've never seen it. 5/10