Customer Reviews
A Well Shot and acted movie about an unworthy individual. 
2008-08-11
Alright the guy could take a punch and even give a few back but he beat women, was an overall f-up, and basically contributed nothing to society which should be remembered. The direction and acting are top notch but without a worthy individual to tell about the end result is a big "so what?" I know I'll piss off all the Italians who view this guy as some sort of hero but he represents everything that was wrong with this subculture during this time in American history. BRAVO for the realism!!
Scorcese and DeNiro's Best Work - How can a film about such ugly people be so beautiful? 
2008-07-16
This definitely isn't your average feel-good, stereotypical, underdog boxing movie. After all, Sly Stallone was the sole owner to the keys to that kingdom four years prior w/ his beloved "Rocky". In fact, this film really isn't about boxing at all (although there's a plethora of savage, short fight scenes throughout), its intentions and focus are much more intricate. "Raging Bull" is a powerful, provocative, realistic work of art, a character study about an emotionally-disturbed, self-destructive boxer, who's indocile and violent nature take him to the top of his profession while at the same time completely destroying his personal life outside of the ring. Yes, sometimes a man's greatest strengths can be his own worst enemy.
Bobby DeNiro gives the performance of the century as the infamous, pugnacious pugilist Jake La Motta, a raging bull(y) if there ever was one. It was definitely a no-brainer the following year when DeNiro took home the coveted Oscar for best actor. The film also introduced us to Cathy Moriarty (Vickie Thailer, La Motta's wife) and Joe Pesci (Joey La Motta, Jake's older and wiser brother and manager), who both gave outstanding Oscar nominated performances as well. According to Hollywood folklore, Pesci was on the brink of quitting acting all together when De Niro, who had seen his only performance up to that point in the 1976 B-movie mafia debacle "The Death Collector", decided he wanted Pesci for this important role. A decision that turned out to be brilliant, for can anyone imagine "Goodfellas" and "Casino" without little Joe? Two other notable actors deserve mention here for their fine performances as well - Frank Vincent (Salvy Batts) most famous for his role as Phil Leotardo in "The Soprano's" and Nicholas Colasanto (Tommy Como) who of course we all remember fondly as "Coach" in the hit T.V. series "Cheers".
Martin Scorcese and DeNiro would again call upon writer Paul Schrader whom they teamed up with four years prior in the avant-garde classic "Taxi Driver" and the results were obviously duplicated. This collaboration once again produced an intense, gritty, often times seedy portrait of a lost, lonely, paranoid anti-hero, just another lost soul ensnared in the underbelly of New York society. Splendidly shot in black & white in order to enhance the malaise and misery of the turbulent era in which La Motta reigned, this violent and disturbing film pulls no punches. Although "Goodfellas" may be my favorite of all Scorcese's films, I would still have to say that overall, this was his magnum opus.
If you haven't had the pleasure of seeing this one yet, rent it today. Odds are that if you do, you'll be placing your order w/ Amazon as soon as the credits start rolling.
Raging Bull is a TKO. 2008-05-04
Martin Scorsese's Raging Bull (1980) is the best boxing film ever. Adapted by Paul Schrader (Taxi Driver) from Jake LaMotta's memoir, Raging Bull: My Story, Scorsese's crisp black-and-white film chronicles the middleweight champion's controversial life and temperamental personality both inside and outside the ring. Scorsese's film depicts LaMotta as an out-of-control, rage-filled fighter, a volcano ready to explode at any unexpected moment. De Niro reportedly wanted to play the title character so much that he moved to Paris for three months in order to gain 50 or 60 pounds to portray LaMotta in the latter part of the film, a role that earned him the Academy Award for Best Actor. There are at lest two things that make this the best boxing film ever: its raw, emotional intensity, and the fact that the boxing scenes were actually filmed in the ring, thereby capturing the raw brutality of every punch. Whether or not you're a boxing fan, the fight scenes are breathtaking. Joe Pesci plays LaMotta's brother, Joey. Cathy Moriarty plays LaMotta's wife, Vickie, the beautiful, Bronx sex object of LaMotta's irrational jealousy, whom LaMotta is only capable of seeing as either a virgin or a whore. (Dare I say Raging Bull is the closest Hollywood film I've seen to controversial French director, Catherine Breillat's films (Anatomy of Hell), which equate male violence with sex, leading some men to abuse women.) Scorsese's exploration into LaMotta's twisted psyche is a true Hollywood masterpiece (a word I rarely use when describing a film), and Raging Bull is a Total Knock Out.
G. Merritt
A triumph of American cinema; a landmark if ever there was one... 2008-05-02
Considered by many to be the greatest film of the 80's, and ranking number four on AFI's top 100 greatest American films, `Raging Bull' has become a landmark in American cinema. Martin Scorsese will always be remembered for this film, and rightfully so, for `Raging Bull' is not merely a sports film or merely just a drama but `Raging Bull' captures something rare, something monumental. `Raging Bull' captures the essence of a man and the time in which he lived with such precise perfection that the audience is transported into this mans life, walking in his shoes and fighting his personal (as well as professional) battles.
There are many facets to this movie that help elevate it to `masterpiece' levels of brilliance. First you have the flawless direction by Martin Scorsese. In my humble opinion this is probably his finest moment behind the lens. Scorsese is often praised for his `gangster' films, most notably `Good Fellas', but in my eyes it will always be his weightier work that shines the brightest. Films like `Taxi Driver' and `Raging Bull' are truly Scorsese's crowning achievements. His decision to shoot the film in classic black and white film is another bonus to an already fantastic film. It adds layers of honesty and humanity that are at times lost in the glitzy colors flooding the screen. Stripping it down in this way allows the rawness and realness of these people to shine through ten fold. Scorsese is also responsible for capturing some of the greatest scenes of violence ever recorded on film. Of course this is violence within the ring, calculated and controlled violence, but Scorsese displays it in such a sporadic and brutal way that the audience is in a way pummeled mercilessly by the images attacking the screen. The only other director I've seen able to capture this same intensity was Ron Howard in `Cinderella Man'. Others have tried, and they have done so admirably, but truly none have reached this level of perfection. Scorsese was also able to capture the feel and mood of the era in which `Raging Bull' takes place. The way individuals interact with one another, the dialog and the emotional construction is a marvelous representation of the time period as well as the subject. Scorsese had a real grasp of what he was attempting to deliver, and the end result is nothing short of perfection. Couple this with Michael Chapman's glorious cinematography, rich and vibrant despite it's grit and lack of color, and you have a film that looks as brilliant as it plays out.
Honestly though, no matter how brilliant Scorsese was, `Raging Bull' would be nothing without Robert De Niro. As the tortured and violent boxer Jake La Motta, De Niro ignites the screen with fiery determination and complete control and understanding of his character. This is one of those moments where the actor is so lost within his character that you forget you are watching a motion picture. These are the moments that cement De Niro as one of the greatest actors to ever grace the big screen. Sure, his recent film choices have been less than desirable, but there is no denying that in his prime he was better than anyone has ever been.
De Niro has help in the form of Cathy Moriarty and Joe Pesci. Pesci is flawless as Jake's devoted brother Joey. From his very first scene onward you are drawn into his character and become invested in him. Pesci is always on top of his game when playing the scheming and loud mouthed gangster (i.e. `Casino' and his Oscar winning performance in `Good Fellas') but here he is more subdued and subtle and I think this adds a layer of realism to his performance. In my opinion, this may be his finest performance to date. Cathy Moriarty is also stunning as Vickie, La Motta's second wife. The blonde bombshell gives De Niro a run for his money and proves she is more than just a pretty face. Her attachment to her character is obvious and certainly pays off in the end.
`Raging Bull' masterfully interweaves La Motta's violent profession with his violent persona, giving us a glimpse into a man who took his work home with him in the most literal of senses. There is no flaw to be found here, for Scorsese crafts a marvelous portrait of a man destroyed by his own carnal weaknesses. Looking back, I don't think it can be stressed enough how marvelous the year of 1980 really was. All five Best Picture nominees were deserving of their nominations, and while `Raging Bull' is not my favorite of the five (in my humblest of opinions `The Elephant Man' was the Best Picture of 1980) there is no doubt in my mind that Martin Scorsese deserved that directing Oscar one-thousand times over. Regardless, there is no denying the fact that `Raging Bull' is a flawless film, a marvel, a spectacle and most definitely one of the greatest films ever made.
The ultimate set--for the ultimate film 2008-03-08
Jake LaMotta:one of the most talented and successful boxers of his time. Also,one of the most turbulent boxers of his time,who's personal life would,eventually,work its way into his career.
And,in "Raging Bull",all of that is covered here. Shortly after "Raging Bull" has opened(the opening scene may be in 1964,but that really doesn't take part until the end of the film),we are taken back to 1941,at the start of(Jake)La Motta's boxing career. Here,it all begins. Back and forth on "Raging Bull",we see several fights of Jake La Motta documented. Everything--the personal part of the fight--the violence and grittiness of the fight--and the fight itself--are rolled up into one. It's really quite impressive. It's like watching an actual fight,De Niro and all of the actors having their complete emotion rolled into it. The suspense and "beauty" really work well here. Not only did Robert Chartoff and Irwin Winkler(who won the Best Picture Oscar at the 1977 Academy Awards for "Rocky")produce "Raging Bull",the creativity/imagination of Martin Scorsese and the brilliant technique used by Scorsese(only one camera to film the boxing,as opposed to three,the usual method)really help a lot.
The parts that focus on La Motta's personal life stand out quite well,also. With the screenplay,direction,and acting of Robert De Niro,you get to see who Jake La Motta was as a person:violent,angry,and crude,how he preferred to be with people "he liked",and how he preferred to be with people he "didn't like". "Raging Bull" succeeds on focusing on every other person of Jake La Motta's life and giving them enough recognition,without forgetting who the film is about. Joe Pesci can get annoying at times,but otherwise,the acting in "Raging Bull" is richly executed and contributes to the beauty of the film.
It's worth noting that most of(minus about ten-thirteen minutes)of "Raging Bull" is shot in black and white. Some people may be iffy towards actions like this for a film. But,here,it's brilliant. Through the black and white,you get immersed in the 40's,50's,and 60's. You see what the life of Jake La Motta was completely like,the time period for which it was being documented the way it is helping a lot(history fans are in for a treat with this aspect of "Raging Bull"). "Raging Bull" actually has the characteristics of any "old" film from the time period in which it takes place. Yet,it still has the same,modern standards of any film made today.
As you may have noticed,this is the two-disc,special edition of "Raging Bull". The title lives up to itself. The extras(three audio commentaries--one from Martin Scorsese and Editor Thelma Schoonmaker,the Cast and Crew Commentary,and the Storytellers Commentary,four behind-the-scenes feauturettes,and "The Bronx Bull" making-of documentary)really do spread one issue--learning about the making of the film--out. It's a very successful method. The eight bonus feautures let viewers of "Raging Bull" learn every aspect of the film being made(thumbs up for letting the real Jake La Motta have a helping hand),and all offer a fair amount of interesting and intruiging facts. The newsreel footage of Jake La Motta defending his title and the shot-by-shot comparison of Robert De Niro and Jake La Motta are impressive touches. The booklet is also quite nice with fun trivia/facts and some pictures that happen to stand out,while the actual "case" that holds the DVDS has a lot of creative and strong touches to it,as well.
If you are a harcore,American Film institute film fan,"Raging Bull" is one film not to miss.
Good acting /Bad quality control 2008-02-13
Robert De Niro teams with director Martin Scorsese in this "extraordinarily compelling" (Leonard Maltin) film that introduced unflinching realism to stunned audiences in 1980. An "exceedingly violent as well as poetic" fight picture that maps "the landscape of the soul" (The New York Times) Raging Bull garnered eight Oscar® nominations* and won two including Best Actor for De Niro.De Niro gives the performance of his career as Jake La Motta a boxer whose psychological and sexual complexities erupt into violence both in and out of the ring. Joe Pesci and Cathy Moriarty are unforgettable as the brother who falls prey to Jake's mounting paranoia and jealousy and the fifteen-year-old girl who becomes his most prized trophy. A "brilliantly photographed film of extraordinary power and rare distinction" (The Wall Street Journal) Raging Bull is filmmaking at its riveting best.*1980: Best Picture Director Supporting Actor (Pesci) Supporting Actress (Moriarty) Cinematography Sound Editing (won)System Requirements:Running Time: 129 Min.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: DRAMA Rating: R UPC: 027616915122 Manufacturer No: 1007431
The best Scorsese/De Niro collaboration? 2007-12-08
Raging Bull is directed by Martin Scorsese. The film stars Robert De Niro and co-stars Cathy Moriarty, Joe Pesci, Frank Vincent, Nicholas Colasanto, and Theresa Saldana.
The film tells the story of Jake LaMotta, a legendary boxer from the 1940s. Despite his being an excellent fighter in the ring, all other aspects of his life are just the opposite. He can't control his anger, and is prone to violent outbursts on a regular basis. Lacking dedication and wanting to do things his own way, his friendships and relationships are strained. The only truly positive relationship he has is with his brother, and even that one is severely shaken in later years. Through the course of his life he endures divorces, heartbreak, thrown fights, and even jail time. From his heyday as a boxer to his later years as a stand-up performer, he is never truly able to take control of his life - suffering all the while because of it.
Raging Bull is a well-crafted Scorsese masterpiece. From start to finish, with a brilliant filming style, and De Niro's excellent portrayal of LaMotta, this is a truly great film. Despite its initial mixed reviews and opinions, it has long since gained favor in the eyes of moviegoers and critics alike, and is now widely regarded as one of the best films of all time. And rightfully so.
Robert De Niro's acting in this film is some of his best ever. Through the years the picture covers, he truly makes you believe he IS LaMotta. His violent outbursts are believable, and all the while you will both loathe and sympathize with him. There isn't one De Niro scene here that doesn't feel authentic. He plays the character perfectly, in his early years as a violent, reckless boxer, right down to his later, slightly more mellowed-out years in his nightclub life. Scorsese had previously directed De Niro in Taxi Driver, and this film is even more impressive. Quite a comment considering that film was a masterpiece in its own right!
The supporting cast is also impressive. Next to De Niro, the best actor this film has to offer is Joe Pesci. Frequently pissed and spouting out the F-word like there's no tomorrow, but undeniably loving his brother, this is one of many memorable performances from Pesci. In many ways, this is LaMotta's strongest relationship, and the person he can relate to best. Despite the two brothers loving each other, there is serious tension late in the film that causes them to become distant, only adding to the depth of the storyline. The other supporters are impressive, but amongst the supporting cast, it's Pesci that steals the show. This wasn't the last time he and De Niro would appear together in a film - and their other films together would be no less excellent.
Scorsese creates a movie all his own with Raging Bull. Shot in glorious black and white, it looks like no other film of its era. The pacing is just right - despite the run time of over two hours, this movie never gets boring and always holds onto your attention. Although LaMotta was a boxer, very little time is actually spent in the ring. Scorsese made the wise decision of focusing on his more-interesting personal life. There are boxing scenes and they are well shot, but they occupy a very small portion of the film. This is a dramatic story above all other things.
I should probably point out to potential viewers that this film is NOTHING like the Rocky series. Just because it's about boxing and it has the same producers as Rocky (Chartoff and Winkler), don't be expecting something along those lines. This is a gritty, disturbing, and often disgusting film that never has a positive message - it's a portrait of LaMotta as he lived his life day-to-day. More likely than not, the initially-mixed reviews were because people were expecting a Rocky-esque picture - which this film is certainly not.
Scorsese didn't hire a composer to create original music for the film, but instead opted to use previously-existing music that suited the themes and the times in which the film is set. This is an uncommon move to make as far as film music goes, but it actually works quite well here. There are tunes that help to paint a picture of the era in which the movie was set, and emotional, orchestral ones that stand for LaMotta's suffering. The music ends up working in the film's favor more than you'd think.
A two-disc DVD set of the film was recently released, containing a plethora of bonus features, including commentaries. There's no better time to retire your old VHS copy and upgrade to the DVD version! But be sure you get the two-disc version, for all the extra features.
It's hard to review a movie like Raging Bull, since it's on a plane all its own. This is a gritty, realistic portrait of a distraught man who can't take control of his life. Scorsese and De Niro created yet another classic with this film. It's a great film that deserves its critical acclaim. Just don't come in here expecting something uplifting. This isn't Rocky. And it certainly doesn't try to be.
Thumbs up
Robert De Niro does his magic. 2007-10-27
Raging Bull directed by Martin Scorsese is probably his best film to date. Filmed in gorgeous black and white, Raging Bull tells the story of true-life boxer Jake La Motta played brilliantly by De Niro. He gained a lot of weight for this role, he is truly unrecognizable towards the end of the film, but besides that his blistering performance earned him his second Oscar, his portrayal is both frightening and riveting. This is one film every aspiring filmmaker should see, one of the essentials. Enjoy!
Raging Bull My Review 
2007-08-20
Raging Bull, is a good period piece, it shows why Boxing lost popularity. From the kitchen scene near the start till the end Raging Bull is emotional and believable. The worst beating doesnt come in the ring. The way the fights went made me hate the promoters and Ray Robinson. Its hard to like Jake but....
The Greatest Film of the Decade 2007-08-20
If there was ever a better film to be included in AFI's 10th Anniversary Top Ten list, I wouldn't believe it. This is filmmaking at it's best. Let me begin with the greatest actor working today.
Whenever Robert De Niro and Martin Scorsese get together it's cinematic gold. Only years prior they created the iconic character of Travis Bickle. Now, in 1980, they create another iconic screen character: Jake La Motta. Jake La Motta was a New York boxer known as The Raging Bull and Scorsese and De Niro brought him to screen better than any other boxing character in history. Robert De Niro's dedication to this role really shows as, even to this day, I look past the actor, as legendary as he is, and only see Jake La Motta, a troubled but talented man.
I highly recommend this movie. It shows a character study second to almost none. Each one of Scorsese/De Niro's characters leave you with a different feeling. For eight movies now, (Mean Streets (Special Edition), Taxi Driver (Two-Disc Collector's Edition), New York, New York, Raging Bull, The King of Comedy, GoodFellas (Two-Disc Special Edition), Cape Fear (10th Anniversary Edition), and Casino), Scorsese and De Niro have created memorable characters. Jake La Motta just may well top the list.
Plus, you can't go wrong with this DVD. Just as with the Two Disc Edition to Goodfellas, there's a commentary with Jake La Motta himself. And the featurettes are wonderful. Higly recommended
