Review of Raging Bull (1980) by Taniel . — 18 Apr 2013

Raging Bull is Martin Scorsese's biopic of Jake LaMotta. A boxer who's heavy emotional baggage and violent tendency's slowly destroys his personal life. Robert De Niro masterfully plays Jake LaMotta, with Cathy Moriarty and Joe Pesci also starring as the loved ones that are most vividly affected by his rage. This film won two Oscars; De Niro for Best Actor and Schoonmaker for editing. It's a shame that this film didn't net Scorsese a Best Director statue because his direction in this film is absolutely incredible. He gives the film such a raw and edgy style that really makes it hard for the viewer to sit through. You not only vividly witness his anger, but you feel it as well. Also, their is a boxing scene in the film in which Scorsese used the "shower" technique from Psycho. He generates a brilliant sequence of sharp punches that are expressed through rapid quick cuts and shots of splattered blood. Even if you know nothing about boxing, this scene gives you a feel of the brutality of the sport and it's one of the most memorable sequences in the film.

Just as Scorsese and De Niro did with Travis Bickle in Taxi Driver, they create a character study that is nearly unwatchable at times because it's so realistic. De Niro becomes LaMotta, he completely gives his soul to the character and goes down with him. You can see the madness in his eyes, the pain in his voice, and the arrogance in his walk. He's consumed by the character and it's never short of brilliant. It's one of cinema's finest performances, and you'll probably never see something like it again. De Niro proves his cinematic status with this film and if I had to pick one film to sum up his legendary career, I'd pick Raging Bull.

Despite Scorsese's raw direction and De Niro's outstanding performance, they aren't the only ones who deserve credit for this nearly flawless production. Cathy Moriarty is fantastic as the innocent and sexy Vickie, who is wooed by LaMotta's genuine charisma, only to find out the harsh reality of his deep emotional issues. Joe Pesci is great as well, it's always a treat when Pesci, De Niro, and Scorsese decide to team up and this is probably their finest collaboration together. The two of them together in a scene in always fireworks and it's no different here. The "hit me in the face" scene in one that sticks out in which it showcases the raw performances from De Niro and Pesci.

Raging Bull is a haunting, mesmerizing, and raw biopic that showcases Robert De Niro at his absolute finest and near flawless direction by the legendary Martin Scorsese.