Review of Raging Bull (1980) by Gavin K — 03 Nov 2017

I've seen a reasonable amount of films by a lot of different filmmakers but out of all of them Martin Scorsese is my favourite. This I believe is because he is the best at seeing the humanity in the most flawed and violent people and of course it makes sense, considering Scorsese as a kid knew all the gangsters and the big shots as people first before he even knew they were killers.

Once again in Raging Bull, Scorsese introduces us to a man with seminally no redeeming qualities. He is violent, explosive and full of rage, but why is he so angry. Like in all of Scorsese's greatest films his main characters male bravado conceals deep insecurity.

He uses his anger as a tool in the only place he knows how, in the boxing ring where he has great success. He then meets Vickie and he is torn between two desires. He loves her in his own way but he treats her like and object fighting off gangsters and pretenders for his prize even if there not really there.

What Jake can't understand is life and love isn't like the ring, attack is not the best form of defence and unlike the belt around his waist once the contenders are beaten nobody will stick around for the celebrations.

In the end just like an animal he could not change his nature. This a masterpiece of a man's jealously, paranoia and ultimate self destruction.