Raging Bull is a
1980 American biographical film directed by
Martin Scorsese, adapted by
Paul Schrader and Mardik Martin from the memoir
Raging Bull: My Story. It stars
Robert De Niro as
Jake LaMotta, a
middleweight boxer whose
sadomasochistic rage, sexual jealousy, and animalistic appetite exceeded the boundaries of the prizefight ring, and destroyed his relationship with his wife and family. Also featured in the film are
Joe Pesci as Joey, La Motta's well intentioned brother and manager who tries to help Jake battle his inner demons, and
Cathy Moriarty as his abused teen-aged wife. The film features supporting roles from
Nicholas Colasanto,
Theresa Saldana, and
Frank Vincent, who has starred in many films directed by Martin Scorsese.
After receiving mixed initial reviews, (and criticism due to its disturbing level of violence, and upsetting material) it went on to garner a high critical reputation and is now widely regarded among the
greatest movies ever made. It is one of five films that has been named to the
National Film Registry in its first year of eligibility, (along with
Do the Right Thing,
Goodfellas,
Toy Story, and
Fargo.)
Plot
Beginning in 1964, where an older and fatter
Jake LaMotta (
Robert De Niro) practices his stand-up comic routine, a flashback shifts to his boxing career in
New York of 1941 against his opponent, Jimmy Reeves, in the infamous Cleveland bout. Losing the fight by a fixed result causes a fight to break out at the end of the match.
[Evans, Mike The Making of Raging Bull 2006 p.93-97, 98-103, 105.] His brother
Joey LaMotta (
Joe Pesci) is not only a sparring partner to him but also responsible for organizing his fights. Joey discusses a potential shot for the title with one of his mob connections, Salvy Batts (
Frank Vincent), on the way to his brother's house in their neighborhood in
the Bronx. When they are finally settled in the house, Jake admits that he does not have much faith in his own abilities.
Accompanied by his brother to the local open-air swimming pool, a restless Jake spots a 15-year-old girl named Vickie at the edge of the pool (
Cathy Moriarty). Although he has to be reminded by his brother he is already married, the opportunity to invite her out for the day very soon comes true when Joey gives in.
