Raging Bull (1980)-"R"

Run Time:129 minutes

4 stars out of 4

Raging Bull (1980) was already Martin Scorsese's fourth major film paring up himself as director and Robert De Niro in a leading role, which tells me that the duo must work pretty well together. Other Scorsese/De Niro films include such famous and decorated films as Taxi Driver, Casino, and Goodfellas. Raging Bull is no exception in this powerful duo's success, winning two Oscars and immortality on the National Film Register. Based on the autobiography of 1940-50's boxing great Jake La Motta, it contains some of the most hardcore boxing scenes I have ever scene. La Motta (played by De Niro), is a monster in the ring, with brutal fights and not a single knockout against him in the ring. His brutality and intensity that seem to show up all at once in a round earn him the nickname "The Raging Bull", a personality that also carries over into his personal life. Unsuccessfully married at the beginning of the story, he divorces and marries a gorgeous young blonde, Vickie (Cathy Moriarty). The relationship only stays golden for a few years, however, as La Motta becomes more and more paranoid about Vickie having affairs. La Motta suspects everyone, even his own brother, Joey (Joe Pesci), and ends up ruining his life-long relationship with his brother. Meanwhile, his success in the ring keeps escalating, and he even becomes the middleweight champion for a few years, until his self-neglect takes him down. La Motta cannot keep himself under control outside of the ring, and spins down a path of booze, abuse, over-eating, and paranoia. De Niro is incredible as La Motta, with violent mood swings, intensity, and a complete identity as his role, not as an actor. The boxing scenes look incredibly real with perfect choreography and editing. Shot in black-and-white, the film is only in color two times: The opening credits that say "Raging Bull", and in an old home video of La Motta and his wife in their happy times. The camerawork and shots are beautiful, the boxing sequences are intense, and the home scenes powerful and saddening. Joe Pesci also reveals himself as a capable actor, seemingly made for Italian tough-guy roles, and greatly complements De Niro. Destined to be a classic, Raging Bull is one of the best boxing films of all time, a milestone for Scorsese, De Niro, and Pesci, and will never be forgotten.