Sunday, January 12, 2014

Raging Bull - Movie Review

Martin Scorsese's movie on the life of Jake LaMotta, a boxer known as the 'Bronx Bull' or the 'Raging Bull' based on the memoir written by LaMotta. Played by Robert De Niro we see the complex life of LaMotta unfold as he first demolishes his opponents so bad that no one wants to fight him, comes back, fights jealousy as he suspects his beautiful wife, fights with his brother and after winning the World Championship concedes it.

His fights with Sugar Ray Robinson are legendary including the one which he lost, where he refused to go down despite one of the bloodiest exhibitions of boxing. That match is known for LaMotta's incredible courage. LaMotta' life goes down after that and he gets into trouble with the law. But he tries alternate careers, acting, stand up comedian etc which he pursues for a long time. Last known LaMotta had married a seventh time in 2013 and is busy making out a documentary on his life and is busy in the lecture circuit. Robert Di Niro put on 27 kgs during the movie between the young LaMotta and the fat old bar owner and its incredible to watch his transformation. The lines from 'On the Waterfront' ring true for LaMotta too. Its a difficult watch because of the violence and the character of LaMotta which is unpredictable and violent but Raging Bull is rated as one of the best in the last century. Great performances by Robert e Niro and Joe Pesci.

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