Raging Bull

Often cited as containing one the greatest performances of all-time (De Niro), Raging Bull is also a superb film in itself, essaying the destructive animal-like violent tendencies that lead to the downfall of real-life boxer Jake La Motta.

This film is not a biography, it doesn't focus on the triumphs and failures of the subject's life, it barely even pays attention to his first wife (we don't even see their breakup) and it picks up halfway through his boxing career. Instead, it examines the downfall of La Motta, from title-holding boxing champion to overweight and unfunny stand-up comedian.

Jake La Motta is a monster (as far as protagonists go anyway). He's unintelligent, unlikeable and has some serious issues with jealousy and rage. His nickname 'The Bronx Bull' is well-earned, and we witness him pulverize opponent after opponent, playing out his rage inside the ring. Much of the film focuses on his relationship with his second wife (almost completely tainted with insane jealousy) and his brother (a relationship that grows more tenuous as the film progresses).

This is one of Martin Scorcese's greatest films; the fact that it's in black and white makes you forget that it was made in 1980, it makes you forget that it could've been made during any time other than the 50s, so complete is the illusion. The all-important boxing scenes have seldom been matched in brutality and direction, each shot and angle going a long way to fortify the atmosphere. The editing is tight, and the musical score is moving.

One can't review this film without mentioning De Niro. This is the peak of his career, a milestone in 20th century method-acting even. De Niro is Jake La Motta; his hair, his expressions, even his voice, are all an impressive transformation. This isn't just imitation though, De Niro becomes the character, able to improvise his lines within the movie (a common practice in De Niro/Scorcese collaborations) without losing focus. His metamorphosis from a muscular middle-weight boxer to a fat, sweaty has-been with breathing problems can only be seen to be properly appreciated.

This isn't a mainstream film like Scorcese's more recent efforts like The Departed and Shutter Island, don't watch it expecting some kind of fast-paced all-fighting Hollywood production. This is a careful construction of character, simmering with the bull-like anger of it's protagonist, and an amazing showcase of talents (De Niro, Pesci and Scorcese).

HIGHLIGHTS: De Niro appears in various stages of weight; lean and muscular, the pudginess between fights, and bloated middle-age. The improvised scenes between De Niro and Joe Pesci are so perfect that they're hard to pick as improvised.

TRIVIA: Look out for John Turturro as an extra in a restaurant scene, it's his first film.

Martin Scorcese was escorted by FBI security from the premises of the Oscars before the winner for Best Director was even declared due to the recent attempted assassination of Ronald Reagen. The assassination attempt had been connected to Scorcese's film Taxi Driver and he recieved government protection as a result, as they feared someone might retaliate against the director. As he left the building he remarked something along the lines of, "They haven't even presented the Best Director award yet". The guard replied, "The Robert Redford films wins".

DIRECTOR: Martin Scorcese
WRITER/SOURCE: Primarily written by Paul Schrader and Mardick Martin, with uncredited input from Robert De Niro and Martin Scorcese. Based on the autobiography by Jake La Motta (which was co-written by Joseph Carter and Peter Savage).
KEY ACTORS: Robert De Niro, Cathy Moriarty, Joe Pesci, Frank Vincent

RELATED TEXTS:
- La Motta's autobiography, Raging Bull: My Story, formed the basis for the film.
- Raging Bull is one of eight films that De Niro and Scorcese have made together. The others are Mean Streets, Taxi Driver, New York New York, The King of Comedy, Goodfellas, Cape Fear and Casino.
- Boxing films have long been a subgenre unto themselves in Hollywood - ranging from The Champ (1930s) to Somebody Up There Likes Me (1950s) to Cinderella Man (2000s).

AWARDS
Academy Awards - won Best Actor (De Niro) and Best Film Editing. Also nominated Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor (Joe Pesci), Best Supporting Actress (Cathy Moriarty), Best Director, Best Cinematography, Best Sound.
BAFTAs - won Best Editing and Best Newcomer (Joe Pesci). Also nominated for Best Actor (De Niro) and Best Newcomer (Cathy Moriarty).
Golden Globes - won Best Actor (De Niro). Also nominated for Best Film (Drama), Best Director, Best Supporting Actor (Pesci), Best Supporting Actress (Moriarty), Best Screenplay and New Female Star of the Year (Moriarty).