Review of Raging Bull (1980) by Mark J — 31 May 2011

If one was to seriously think about it, there are really only two main types of films: Stories and character studies. The idea of a film being good or bad is nothing short of a state of mind. Here, this is a film that is a character study that, in all my years of viewing films, is unlike any other I have ever seen.

And it would take Martin Scorsese to create such a film. 'Raging Bull', based on the novel Raging Bull: My Story (written by Jake La Motta), is a film that is a character study and damn good one that is hard to watch.

It is not because of the violence or gore (there is plenty of that), but because we are taken into a world of a man that is beyond confused to such a point that he is self destructing himself and we end up seeing the effect on the people around him.

In terms of direction, Scorsese is always a magnificent pro at what he does. It was once said by a fellow film critic that "Black and white has a special quality. It's more stylized than color, more dreamy, less realistic.

". Here with this film, that quote fits this so perfectly. This film, watching it, seems like a dream that you want to escape from (or brutally beat up the main character) but you do not want to because you have to see how much more farther down he will spiral.

So, the black and white film used here works beyond well. His (being Scorsese's) cinematography is beyond gorgeous. The best moments are during the many bowing scenes that are littered in this film.

Watching this, you would think that he would specialize in those types of camera techniques. The only problem would have to be the pasing. This is a slow film that does not pick up until the last hour or so.

Now the script. I will have to say that Mardik Martin and Paul Schrader done a good job writing the script for this film to make it the film it is. Out of the film done by Scorsese, this one has one of the best scripts so, I am impressed by those two who adapted part of the novel into this film.

Then we have the acting. The only two actors that I even need to mention are Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci. I mean, these guys are pro at acting, guys who give it their all. And seeing them acting as brothers in this pic, I have to admit they done a wonderful and heart-aching job and portraying the struggles the real people that they are portraying as were.

Finally we have the score. To be honest, there really is not that much of a score to speak of. But, I am guessing that due to this film and how it was made, this is needed. So, overall, I say that this is a great film to watch if you are interested in seeing a great character study film and are willing to dive down into the complex hell of one man.