Raging Bull (1980)

Directed by Martin Scorsese. Starring Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, Cathy Moriarty, Nicholas Colasanto, Frank Vincent, Theresa Saldana, Lori Anne Flax. [R]

Vivid, riveting biography of boxer Jake LaMotta (De Niro), a middleweight title contender who was unable to exorcise his demons inside or outside the ring, fueled by intense rage, insecurities and jealousies, especially in regard to the Madonna-whore complex he attaches to his second wife (Moriarty). As compelling a portrait of a real-life figure as there has ever been on film, more “truth” than “fact,” as it explores a mindset, a personality, unbridled obsession and anger, far more than merely reciting the high/low-lights of a lifetime. Even the boxing scenes serve the arcs of theme and character (victory is less about winning a belt or making a living than it is about misguided validation), and the dynamic way in which they’re shot and edited is as intimate as it is repellent. De Niro’s fearless performance landed him a well-deserved Academy Award, and he’s supported by superlative work from then-unknowns Moriarty and Pesci, the latter playing LaMotta’s brother. Scorsese’s direction, Michael Chapman’s black & white photography, and Thelma Schoonmaker’s Oscar-winning editing are all first-rate as well. Scripted by Mardik Martin and Paul Schrader from LaMotta’s autobiography, “Raging Bull: My Story.” Produced by Irwin Winkler and Robert Chartoff, who had both previously produced another acclaimed boxing story, Rocky (though the tones of both films are drastically different).

99/100