(Warning: This is longer than usual)I have been a Scorsese fan for a while but, to my shame, I have only seen a handful of his post Goodfellas movies. After watching Raging Bull, my view of him as changed dramatically. He is simply put one of the greatest directors of all time. From the opening credits, which I just didn't want to end, to the final monologue, every frame has been expertly crafted in gorgeously contrasted monochrome.
The fact that I haven't even gotten to the performances is a testament to the fantastic directing in the movie. That being said, these performances are untouchable. Robert DeNiro portrays an unbelievably deranged, sexist and arrogant bastard that you can't help but love. This is the movie that burned a thousand bras. Feminists beware.
A strangely understated but amazing performance by Joe Pesci doesn't disappoint either and maintains the bar for this movie.
I do warn those of you who do not have the patience for slow plots and/or artsy directing that this movie has generous amounts of both. The story rolls on without warning you of were it might go, one second you may in the middle of a fight and the next you're in the middle of a wedding. It's this unpredictability in the story that may throw some people off but it also provides such a strange and yet intriguing feel to the movie.
All in all, I'm embarrassed to even give my opinion on such a fantastic piece of work.
Score: 5 right hooks (out of 5)
A jockeying jab of jibberish:
"And though I'm no Olivier / If he fought Sugar Ray / He would say / That the thing ain't the ring, it's the play. / So give me a... stage / Where this bull here can rage / And though I could fight / I'd much rather recite /... that's entertainment."
Paul Schrader and Mardik Martin (adapted) threw the first punches, Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci sent us reeling, Martin Scorsese knocked us out.
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