‘Raging Bull’ is a 1980 searing, black-and-white biographical portrait of Jake LaMotta Directed by Martin Scorsese, the real-life middleweight boxing champion whose rise and fall in and out of the ring is marked by violence, jealousy, self-destruction, and emotional torment.
Set primarily in the 1940s and 1950s, the film opens with Jake LaMotta (played by Robert De Niro) preparing for a stand-up performance in the 1960s—older, heavier, and a shadow of his former self. The story then flashes back to his prime as a gifted but deeply troubled fighter from the Bronx.
Jake is ferocious in the ring, known for his unrelenting style and ability to take punishment. His brother and manager, Joey LaMotta (Joe Pesci), is his most loyal supporter, helping him navigate his career and temperamental outbursts. Despite Jake’s success, he is plagued by insecurities and a violent, possessive streak—particularly toward women.
Jake becomes obsessed with a young blonde named Vickie (Cathy Moriarty), whom he marries. However, his paranoia and explosive jealousy consume him. He suspects Vickie of infidelity, not just with strangers, but with his brother Joey, his friends, and anyone who shows her the slightest attention. His inability to trust or control his impulses poisons his relationships and eventually isolates him.
Jake refuses to compromise his principles or submit to mob influences in the ring, even if it means stalling his career. In one pivotal fight, he takes a brutal beating from Sugar Ray Robinson, refusing to be knocked down, only to mutter afterward, “You never got me down, Ray.”
As time passes, Jake’s personal life deteriorates. His relationship with Vickie crumbles; he violently abuses her and alienates Joey, who eventually cuts ties with him. His body bloated and his career in shambles, Jake ends up as a broken man running a nightclub, dabbling in bad comedy, and reflecting on what he lost.
The film closes with Jake reciting a monologue in front of a mirror, quoting Marlon Brando’s iconic scene from On the Waterfront—a poignant moment of self-recognition, regret, and solitude.
The film explores themes of masculinity, self-destruction, redemption, and isolation as Jake LaMotta navigates his struggle with his inner demons, jealousy, insecurities, and rage. Ultimately, a man has to live with the consequences. Robert De Niro’s performance earned him an Academy Award along with Thelma Schoonmaker for editing and nominations for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Supporting Actor, and Best Actress. The film is considered by many to be one of the best films made in recent times.
The Other Cinema 