marty's raging 'hamlet' (some spoilers)

Rating: Null/10 (1 July 2003)

'raging bull' is martin scorsese's 'hamlet'. not only is it scorsese's best film, but it marks the end of the golden age of american cinema. the death rattle of masterful 70's film noir, 'raging bull' was highly criticized for its violent imagery towards women upon its initial release. so much so that it was snubbed at the oscar ceremony and not awarded the statuette for best picture the following year. this film, however, rather than advocating spousal abuse, stays true to the story of middleweight boxing champion jake lamotta, whose self-destructive nature reeked havoc on all those who crossed his path, both in and out of the ring.
even with the original 'rocky' in mind, the boxing scenes shot by scorsese in 'raging bull' are the best ever caught on film. the only men visible in the shot are the two men fighting. the spectators do not come into focus unless a riot breaks out in the stands or if they are sprayed with blood coming from one of the two fighters after a cataclysmic right hook to the face. the film documents perfectly lamotta's skill and talent and gaul as a professional fighter, especially in his bouts with his biggest rival for the middleweight title, sugar ray robinson.
boxing is only a backdrop, however, and the real challenges lamotta faces come from his personal life. socially inept and emotionally destructive, lamotta fights each of his two wives, his brother, and the mob. putting boxing ahead of his family, lamotta must appease the mob in order to get a title fight. after lamotta loses the middleweight belt, he opts to retire only to learn that his life at home and his relationship with brother are in ruin. lamotta then gets into trouble with the law and winds up a nightclub entertainer. after patching things up with his brother, joey, lamotta has finally gained some peace.
in the most memorable scene of the film, lamotta quotes marlon brando's character in 'on the waterfront': "you don't understand. i coulda had class. i coulda been a contender. i coulda been someone charley, instead of a bum, which is what i am, let's face it. i'm a bum. it was you, charley." by doing this, lamotta recognizes he could have had so much more, but he is at best a shell of his former self and he accepts that.
'raging bull' is the best film of the last thirty years. a more than deserving best actor oscar for robert de niro and an equally deserving best director nomination for martin scorsese. not to mention warranted nominations for both joe pesci and cathy moriarty in supporting roles. 'raging bull' is 'the' defining moment for an actor and director who have had many defining moments between them. in an absolute no-brainer, i give it a 10/10