Raging Bull (1980)

Raging Bull (1980)

Comments 1 comment

“Jake is never gonna be a champ. Too many people hate him.”

Synopsis:
Middleweight boxer Jake La Motta (Robert De Niro) puts his career as well as his relationships with his wife (Cathy Moriarty) and manager-brother (Joe Pesci) at risk by his incessant rage and paranoia.

Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:

  • Boxing
  • Domestic Abuse
  • Jealousy
  • Marital Problems
  • Martin Scorsese Films
  • Rise-and-Fall
  • Robert De Niro Films

Response to Peary’s Review:
In Guide for the Film Fanatic, Peary writes that “the major reason to see this film is Robert De Niro’s shattering Oscar-winning portrayal of forties middleweight boxing champ Jake La Motta; he even ate himself into blimpic proportions for the later scenes in his subject’s life.” Peary adds that “reason number two is Michael Chapman’s stunning black-and-white photography; his fine shots of old New York and Miami hauntingly capture the feel of the past:


… [and] his boxing sequences are surreal.”

Peary notes that “as always, Martin Scorsese’s direction is powerful and his characters are natural and real, but, as is too often the case, he has chosen to film a script whose lead character is a thoroughly unlikable figure.” He argues that “eventually you may give up trying to figure out what makes La Motta tick and just get fed up with his antics.” However, he concedes that “scene by scene, the film has impact; particularly strong are those scenes with De Niro and Pesci… and the scene in which La Motta reacts to having thrown a fight for the only time in his career.”

However, Peary asserts that “when the film ends, you realize it has no core, no real theme. It’s just about a louse.” (I disagree, as I’ll explain in a bit.)

In Alternate Oscars, Peary insists he’s still not a fan of the film but, given its positive critical reception and beloved status by “the most astute film cultists,” he concedes it deserves to win Best Picture of the Year. He also agrees with Robert De Niro’s win as Best Actor of the Year, noting that “De Niro was great playing a character who, despite having stone hands and jaw, has no personality.” He writes that “La Motta comes across as just another of Scorsese’s inarticulate, incorrigible, misogynistic, violent, self-destructive Italian punks” who “seems to have no pride, except that he cries after throwing a fight and after winning the title.” He adds that “what La Motta likes to do — and he does it sometimes instead of sex — is beat up people, in the ring and at home. He expresses himself with his fists… All he does is eat, argue with Joey and Vickie, and fight.” However, despite detecting “no motivation for his jealous tantrums and abusiveness” we “keep watching… because De Niro is so powerful that we are paralyzed in our seats.” He notes that “what’s amazing is that while De Niro is trapped in a character who barely changes over the years, he still gives a performance that is excitingly unpredictable.”

I’m much less concerned than Peary about the apparent “lack of motivation” for La Motta’s abusive, self-loathing personality. This film is not about why La Motta became so paranoid and vicious, but rather about the impact that his inability to control his mental demons had on himself and those around him. Because the people he lashes out at are either in the ring or (eventually) have the sense to walk away from him (and he doesn’t stalk them), we know that his actions and volatile personality — which become tamer as he ages and gains more weight — have tragically cost him a lifetime of happiness. It’s brutal to watch, but this one rings really true, and does indeed remain powerful viewing.

Redeeming Qualities and Moments:

  • Robert De Niro as Jake La Motta

  • Joe Pesci as Joey
  • Catherine Moriarty as Vickie
  • The stunningly filmed fight sequences
  • Michael Chapman’s cinematography

  • Thelma Schoonmaker’s masterful editing

Must See?
Yes, as an enduring classic.

Categories

  • Important Director
  • Noteworthy Performance(s)
  • Oscar Winner or Nominee

(Listed in 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die)

Links:

One thought on “Raging Bull (1980)”

  1. Must-see – for the main performances by De Niro, Pesci, and Moriarty, Scorsese’s direction and DP Chapman’s work.

    Peary’s statement (“when the film ends, you realize it has no core, no real theme. It’s just about a louse.”) is, indeed, a bit strange. Had he forgotten that ‘the character study’ is a valid form of cinema? Besides, the depiction of La Motta resonates beyond the world of boxing. He’s a guy who always thinks he’s right – and a man who falls because of his pride. That kind of person is everywhere. That’s the theme.

    If there’s one thing I almost can’t bear to watch, it’s a boxing flick. When boxing scenes come on in a film, my eyes sort of glaze over from the pointlessness of guys beating each other’s brains out. (And, certainly, in that regard, Scorsese has probably out-done every boxing film ever made.) But, here, the pointlessness at least appears to be part of the point.

    I recall seeing this film on its release in a theater. It was a mesmerizing experience – even though often an uncomfortable one; gripping without actually being repulsive (though, admittedly, some of those punch close-ups push that envelope). You kept thinking, ‘C’mon, Jake, wise up – wise up!’ But he never really does. (It’s at least some compensation that the film does not end as a complete downer.)

    This remains one of Scorsese’s best films. I don’t think I have any other films about boxing in my personal film collection. But I do have this one – and it’s even the blu-ray.

Leave a Reply