There have been many movies about the world of boxing. However, few come close to Raging Bull, the Martin Scorsese-directed 1980 masterpiece. ‘Raging Bull’ is about struggle, redemption, anger, and violence on the boundary between cinema and documentary. It’s no wonder that the movie is on the short list of the greatest films ever made. Some critics even see it as Martin Scorsese‘s best work, and it has an honesty that only a few filmmakers are able to achieve. But what really makes it one of the greatest films in history? Let’s take a closer look at what makes ‘Raging Bull’ such an important film of its time.
Compelling and Real Characters
There’s a notable quote from film critic Joseph McBride about ‘Raging Bull’ – “Martin Scorsese makes pictures about the kinds of people you wouldn’t want to know.” And this is precisely one of the ingredients that make the movie such a great one. Besides sticking to the main character’s true nature, who’s definitely not a saint, the film is filled with relatable and honest characters. They’re foul-mouther, prone to violence, and display the flaws you’d encounter in just about any human being put in those situations.
Here’s where Scorsese shines, highlighting these flawed characters’ insecurities and motivations and portraying them as human. ‘Raging Bull’ captures viewers’ sympathy simply because it speaks an eternal truth – we’re all flawed in one way or another. Jake LaMotta’s journey for redemption feels like a relatable experience for the viewer, especially because everyone wants to become a better version of themselves. Despite the dysfunctional and flawed characters, the struggles and lie stories make a compelling narrative that viewers won’t forget easily.
De Niro’s Academy Award-winning Performance
Robert De Niro took his talents to a completely new level in order to prepare for this part. To make fighting scenes as realistic as possible, he really learned how to box. De Niro put in such intense training that he competed in three professional matches, winning two of them. In order to play an older version of LaMotta, he also put on 60 pounds while filming.
‘Raging Bull’s success can be credited in large part to Joe Pesci. He gives a scene-stealing performance that might very well go down in history as the best ever. His portrayal of his character, who tries to be a role model for his disobedient older brother, is at times hilarious and brutally honest. The actress who portrayed Jake’s wife, Cathy Moriarty, is also remarkable. She expertly handled the transition from a naive adolescent girl to a mature lady dealing with a failed marriage and domestic abuse.
Few people know that De Niro was on a personal mission to bring this story to the big screen. So, that special personal investment in the story helped him transform into Jake LaMotta to the point that you don’t see Robert De Niro playing a role but the boxer himself.
‘Raging Bull’s Impact on American Pop Culture
Additionally, ‘Raging Bull’ had a significant influence on American popular culture. The film’s strong characters and outstanding narrative have served as a source of inspiration for many filmmakers and artists, and its impact can be seen in many aspects of popular culture. The manner in which boxing is shown in the film has also had an impact on the gaming industry. Raging Bull has even become the name of an online casino where you can play slots with a boxing theme. Learn more about it by reading the raging bull online casino review at casino-bonus.club. ‘Raging Bull’ has become an American film classic, influencing American pop culture from online casinos to TV shows and music.
Black & White Filmmaking Captures Everything Perfectly
It is commonly thought that movies in colour are better because they have more depth and make objects and settings come to life. ‘Raging Bull’, which opens with LaMotta shadowboxing in the ring, disproves this line of thought. The movie is one step removed from reality due to the black-and-white cinematography, yet it also has a very strong impact.
Final Thoughts
‘Raging Bull’ stands as an exceptional cinematic masterpiece that continues to captivate audiences with its compelling storytelling, outstanding performances, and powerful black-and-white cinematography. Beyond its cinematic achievements, the movie has also had a big impact on American pop culture, inspiring filmmakers, artists, and even boxing-themed online slots. ‘Raging Bull’ is cherished as a classic American film, loved by people of all ages, and remains a true gem in the movie world.
