"Raging Bull" is arguably the finest work from the Scorsese and De Niro partnership. De Niro gives an amazing portrayal of a man whose animal side lurks just beneath the surface, ever ready to erupt.
The production of this black-and-white boxing masterpiece not only saved Scorsese"s life (by his own admission) but provides the most convincing evidence for the arguement that the total film knowledge held by members of the Academy can be imprinted on the tip of a blunt pencil.
Scorsese"s brilliance manifests itself in an ability to avoid allowing the gladiatorial ring-clashes never become the central focus. Whilst there are a number of intense yet balletic fight-scenes that take place against a smoky and sombre background and that force lasting images of skilfully choreographed pugilism, it is the human turmoil of LaMotta (the type of man who would gladly eat the children of a wimp like Rocky Balboa) that both enraptures and disgusts a morally confused viewer. DeNiro captures a man who is burdened by his own sins and whose greatest fight is with the demons he mirrors on those around him. With the assistance of Pesci as LaMotta"s brother, Joey, the two engage in continuous verbal sparring that ultimately culminates in physical conflict during the inspired "hit me" scene.
As a piece of tragic storytelling and cinematic command, Raging Bull cannot be beaten.
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Martin Scorsese's acclaimed biopic of Jake La Motta, the boxing world champion who rose rapidly to fame but swiftly fell from grace. On the road to success, La Motta (Robert De Niro) marries the beautiful young Vickie (Cathy Moriarty), but the pressures of success soon make him paranoid and he ends up alienating both his wife and his brother, Joey (Joe Pesci). Shot entirely in black and white, the film features brutal fight scenes and sees an Oscar-winning performance by De Niro, who famously tailored his physical appearance to suit the role, putting on 50 pounds to portray the portly, middle-aged La Motta.
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