Source: United Artists
Movie Title: Raging Bull
Year Released: 1980
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Run Time: 129 mins
My Rating: 4/5 Stars
Genre: Drama, Sport
Starring: Robert De Niro, Cathy Moriarty, Joe Pesci
Directed by: Martin Scorsese
Produced by: Robert Chartoff, Irwin Winkler
Written by: Jake La Motta (Original book), Paul Schrader, Mardik Martin (list continues)
Music by: Robbie Robertson, Pietro Mascagni
Awards Received: Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role and for Best Film Editing, Golden Globe for Best Actor, Bafta for Best Editing (list continues)
Why did I choose this particular film?
It is one of the few Scorsese films I haven't watched and I had the DVD available so used the opportunity to watch it.
Would I recommend this film? Why or why not?
I would recommend this film. Personally, I am not a huge fan of sport films but this is so much more than that. It is an utter triumph and felt like the boxing orientated version of 'Casino;' not just because it's starring De Niro, Pesci, and was directed by Scorsese, but the themes and the story are so similar. The shots were incredible and Schoonmaker's editing as always was perfection.
Source: United Artists
Which character was I most able to identify with or connect with?
Aside from the film's focus on La Motta, I connected with Vickie who met La Motta at such a young age and was thrown into the madness of his life. Even though she 'admits' to Jake about sleeping around towards the end of the film, it is never confirmed. To me, it seems she was at the end of her tether finally accepting the accusations Jake pitted against her. Out of pure exhaustion from it all and the constricting lifestyle she found herself living in with him, she gives up. I really sympathised with her even in her final scene, as Jake barges into her house to take his belt away to get pawned.
Best line or memorable quote:
'If you win, you win. If you lose, you still win.'
Was I surprised by the ending?
I couldn't tell where it would go, but knowing Scorsese's other work, I felt I could see and predict La Motta's downfall approaching towards the end. Particularly when he begins to have troubles with his relationships at home.
Source: United Artists
Do I feel this film would be better or worse if it were in colour?
I felt Black and White was the best way to enhance the visceral, raw nature of boxing. It intensifies the tension within the fights and asserts the consuming nature of the lifestyle, with the darkness either consuming you or the light exposing you to everyone both in fights and in every aspect of life. The only use of colour was present within the 'home-movie' family montage and acting as the only part of the film in colour really emphasised the truly important things in life, not the fights or career highlights, but the good times with family. I have attached the clip below for those who haven't seen it. It really is beautiful and benchmarked with La Motta's fights over the years, offers a quick insight into his career in a condensed form whilst once again tieing it back to the other crucial aspect of his life; his family and the good times they share. The use of images for the fights, whilst the family times are shown in videos also links back to the long-lasting memories that remain with family and the short burst of memories the fights bring to La Motta.
Source: United Artists
For those interested, I encourage you to check out the book 'Easy Riders, Raging Bulls' by Peter Biskind. It offers an incredible insight into the making of this film and other fantastic films in 1960s-1980s Hollywood. It's a great read, in addition to the article linked below from the March 2021 edition of Empire magazine which took a look at the iconic film through Jay Glennie's book: 'Raging Bull, The Making of.'
Empire Magazine: https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/empire-issue-preview-falcon-winter-soldier-palm-springs-minari/
Jay Glennie's Book:
Link to my Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/isabellaklari/
My Favourite Black and White Films
Frances Ha
Some Like It Hot
Belfast
The Big Day
Lolita
La Dolce Vita
Control
The 400 Blows
Frankenweenie
A Streetcar Named Desire