Martin Scorsese - Raging Bull (1980), 5/10

The film techniques and performances are outstanding in Raging Bull, yet there is a serious lack of compelling story in Jake LaMotta’s life on screen beyond immaturity, misplaced male outrage, and eventually simple frustration. The story could be more engaging and interesting, sure, but the story Scorsese chooses to tell is deeply flawed at its core. The script is masterfully executed as early as the opening credits, but the narrative focus on simple abuse and irredeemable foolishness quickly ventures into narrative exhaustion. Considering this is somewhat of a sports film, the actual boxing sequences themselves are simultaneously lacking in realism but also contain some wonderfully surreal, captivating camera work and editing. As a career synopsis there is plenty of interest in LaMotta’s fighting, but less so in his personal relationships. What about this executed screenplay is engaging?

On the surface, LaMotta is a simple man who succumbs to basically every fault of man, yet never shows signs of positive change, only some basic remorse when he is already woefully hopeless. Not that the message of a biopic needs to be uplifting, but who wants to engage in this story when it has such a brutal, narrow focus on such a miserable, pathetic man? De Niro and Pesci deliver such superb performances that the film is redeemed enough to be watchable for the over 2-hour runtime, but nothing more. As a boxing film, the picture is redeemable yet incomplete, and as a personal story it is repulsive without offering enough counter-narrative to develop into a great film. As the leading lady, Cathy Moriarty is convincing as Vickie, but infuriatingly dull. Raging Bull exists as a well-made film of questionable effect, yet even more questionable subject matter.