Raging Bull

“You never got me down, Ray.” I have heard many people make comments on how much they hated his film because Jake LaMotta is hate-able. There is so much stupidity in that statement. Raging Bull is an absolute masterpiece that completely earns every bit of its legendary reputation. What impressed me most, was De Niro’s transformation into Jake LaMotta. He does so much more than play a character, he completely disappears into him, capturing a man driven entirely by jealousy, self-destruction, and animalistic rage. Pesci is equally as powerful as LaMotta’s brother, providing a perfect, grounded contrast to De Niro’s volatile energy. This actor pairing is nothing shy of perfection and show an unmatched chemistry. As per usual, Scorsese’s direction and artistic choices truly brought the film to life. His choice to shoot in stark black-and-white is a stroke of genius, making the film feel gritty, timeless and visually stunning. Raging Bull is a flawless, powerful film where everything works in perfect harmony. It completely earns its acclaim.