Review of Raging Bull (1980) by C0Up   — 30 Aug 2012

'Raging Bull'. An absolute masterclass in self-destruction by De Niro and Scorcese. I felt sick and sad for Jake LaMotta.

The camerawork by Scorcese during the boxing scenes is poetic and brutal all at once. Loved the quick cuts to the cameras and their sounds, the use of slow motion, the extreme close ups and tenderness when Cathy is kissing his eyes, the weird, cute "date" at minigolf when the courting first begins and the use of colour for their love story montage.

Then there's De Niro's Jake LaMotta. Anger constantly bubbling beneath the surface. Absolute disregard for rules or society. Paranoia, obsession, extreme jealousy, control freak. Did I mention the oh-so-violent outbursts?

I have no idea how De Niro prepared for this role, or how long it stuck with him afterwards. He is scarily good!