A hard-hitting biopic.

Rating: 9/10 (9 December 2015)

Raging Bull is a raw and gritty look at the turbulent life of middleweight boxing champion Jake La Motta, a rather reprehensible character whose paranoia and insensitivity drove away those he loved and ultimately left him on the skids and in trouble with the law. Even though it's far from what most would class as a fun film, it's still an unmissable slice of cinema, thanks to powerful performances from an excellent cast, and impeccable direction from Martin Scorsese, who handles both the drama and the brutal fight action with plenty of style.
Robert De Niro is not only in tip-top physical form for his role as the world class boxer (at least until he flabs out for the final act), but is also at the top of his game as a thespian, the star fully flexing his acting muscles in a performance that runs the gamut of emotions and which deservedly won him an Oscar. Also making a big impression are Joe Pesci as Jake's brother Joey, a loud-mouthed brawler with ties to the Mafia who is almost as obnoxious as his older sibling, and Cathy Moriarty, as Jake's long-suffering second wife Vickie.