Review of Raging Bull (1980) by Kelley T — 18 Sep 2016
This story could have been told in half the time and there really is not much there. A man gets his brain addled by boxing and takes it out on others outside the ring. Down he goes, as do many athletes, even if they are not boxers.
It was cinematographically great but that can't support a story as thin as this for that long. The "story" is more about how people walked, talked, behaved and dressed, and the appearance of the times than anything else.
If you are enthralled by boxing, violence, and artistic filmed scenes this will please you, otherwise it is a waste of time. The film in the end tries to hang its hat on another great film "On the Waterfront" by stealing a line from it, but that is just cheap.
A classical music score and a line borrowed from a truly great classic film does not make another classic film. One gallon of good paint, plus one gallon of bad paint makes two gallons of bad paint.
This review of Raging Bull (1980) was written by Kelley T on 18 Sep 2016.
Raging Bull has generally received very positive reviews.
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