★★★★★★★ (7/7)
"Raging Bull"is about the life of boxer Jake LaMotta, whose violence and temper that led him to the top in the ring destroyed his life outside of it. It was released in 1980 and was directed by Martin Scorsese.
On the surface, "Raging Bull" is the story of a boxer and examines multiple fights of his. However, the true nature of the story is a man who is fighting himself. Jake LaMotta destroyed countless fighters, but his true enemy was never someone he fought in the ring. Rather, he was conflicted and at odds with himself and his emotions.
The genius of "Raging Bull" is how perfectly it examines the human emotions of jealousy and anger. It shows how these emotions can corrupt one's life and their thoughts. The character of Jake LaMotta is the scapegoat for these emotions, being the symbol for what a human would experience, but pushing it to the extreme.
Unlike most films, "Raging Bull" does not provide the audience with a protagonist or a character that is easy to cheer for. This is not a feel good movie by any means. Rather, it was made to show us how life could look when the focus of our lives is jealousy. This rage built up in LaMotta is what gives him the upper hand in the ring, while simultaneously giving him a disadvantage in his personal life.
Martin Scorsese once again shows his mastery of the art of film with "Raging Bull." It is one of the most in depth character studies ever filmed, showing the consequences of being conquered by one's emotions. The iconic duo of Scorsese and De Niro is nearly flawless in the film and continued to firm the foundation of their collaborations that have now spanned 43 years. It is an incredibly well-shot black and white movie. It employs different camera effects, speeds, and uses of sound that emphasize the detail put into this film.
The importance of "Raging Bull" is felt from its opening shot. What appears to be a man shadowboxing in a ring actually serves as the premise for the entire film. Jake LaMotta was an amazing boxer who could defeat all of his foes, except for his greatest one: himself. This movie has been referred to by many as one of the greatest movies ever made, and not without cause. The sheer humanity felt from the performances of Robert De Niro, Cathy Moriarty, and Joe Pesci only add to this argument.
"Raging Bull" is not a film you should watch if you want to feel happy. However, this is where its importance lies. Through its fitting score, flawless cinematography, and amazing performances, "Raging Bull" makes itself one of the best character studies ever made and is a must see for a fan of cinema.
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