Hollywood Classics : Raging Bull

When i finished watching this movie on saturday night, i was asking this question to myself - "Can someone act so brilliantly??", and i am sure you will also think the same if you are going to watch it. I was always a big fan of Martin Scorsese,Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci trio for the movies like Casino and Goodfellas, but from now i realised that they are the BEST in hollywood. Robert de Niro's performance is simply the best performance by any actor in any movie in the history of cinema. Its not his appearance but the whole personality which was changed drastically with the course of movie and you will be amazed by the flawless performance in this extremely difficult role. It has been noticed in past that some actors did a lot to change themselves for their role, like what Tom Hanks did in "Cast Away" or "Vincent D'Onofrio" did for "Full metal jacket" similarly robert De Niro had gained a record 60 pounds to play the older La Motta, and Pesci lost weight for the same scene. The actor's award-winning performance required an incredible transformation of his character over a 23-year period (from 1941 to 1964), including La Motta's two marriages, boxing ring fights with the likes of Sugar Ray Robinson (to whom he lost the title), and his decline to a Miami, Florida nightclub owner and a sleazy, two-bit, lewd comedian in a New York nightclub.

The movie is based on life story of middle weight boxing champion, Jake La motta, who was very passionate and involved in boxing but on ther other hand his life got screwed by his suspicious and self distructive mind. Jake La motta himself was the consultant for this movie, and he helped Scorsese in making this very real life drama. The movie showcases his rise and fall as a boxer and the effect of all this on his personal life. Joe pesci has played the role of his brother cum manager who tried to help him in his bad times of life.

The movie is shot in Black and white, the only scene which was colored was Jake's wedding. This was done deliberately because people always saw him fighting in B&W TVs, and their memories are attached with the same look and feel. I also feel , this was a brave and rewarding decision by Scorcese.

The movie's best part is the flawless acting performance by Robert de Niro, so even if you are not a fan of him you should watch this to see that he is the BEST, nothing less than that. If you loved movies like "Rocky", "Million Dollar baby" and "Cindrella Man" then you must see this movie to witness best movie of this genre. If you love dramas, then you should see this movie for some really intense moments between Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci, with awesome dialouges and finest acting performances. In short, no matter what kind of movies you like, you will love this movie and you will feel the intensity even after finishing it.

5* out of 5* for one of the best movies of all times. 

Some dialogues from my fav scene:

Jake: What's wrong with me? My hands.
Joey: Your hands? What about 'em?
Jake: I got these small hands. I got a little girl's hands.
Joey: I got 'em too. What's the difference?
Jake: You know what that means? No matter how big I get, no matter who I fight, no matter what I do, I ain't never gonna fight Joe Louis.
Joey: Yeah, that's right. He's a heavy-weight. You're a middle-weight. What of it?
Jake: I ain't ever gonna get a chance to fight the best there is. And you know somethin'. I'm better than him. I ain't never gonna get a chance. You're askin' what's wrong.
Joey: But you're crazy to even think about somethin' like that...

Some more:

Jake: ...everything, because I'm gonna open his hole like this. Please excuse my French. I'm gonna make him suffer. I'm gonna make his mother wish she never had him - make him into dog meat...He's a nice, a nice kid. He's a pretty kid, too. I mean I don't know, I gotta problem if I should f--k him or fight him. (Laughter erupts)
Tommy: (chuckling) F--k him or fight him.