The story of Jake La Motta's rise & fall is not an easy story to watch.
But the film is so well Filmed, Directed and Acted, you cant take your eyes off it.
Its not the sort of movie you watch every few months, but even one viewing will leave its Greatness ingrained on you.
It is a powerful movie, about Jealousy, Obsession, Love, Inner Demons and Boxing
Martin Scorsese should have definitely won his first Best Director Oscar for this, but didnt.
I believe, Raging Bull, Taxi Driver and Goodfellas are his Ultimate Masterpieces.
The film is shot in beautiful Black and White and 30 Years later it still feels fresh as ever.
The Boxing scenes are Expertly executed. Short and Brutal with sickening sound effects.
And now we come onto the Acting. This is of course also the movie that won Robert De Niro his only Best Actor Oscar.
And he is AMAZING in it. His body language, his emotional outbursts, and his quiet moments of reflection.
Easily ONE of his Top 5 performances.
The dedication De Niro put in as part of his Method Process pays off Spectacularly for him and the viewer.
He trained with the real Jake La Motta and other professionals and reached at a level where he could have fought professionally.
Production was also shut down, so he could gain 60lb to portray the older Jake La Motta.
But the Method to the Madness is only a small part of a Great Movie
Joe Pesci also gives one of his best perfomances as the brother of Jake La Motta
A Must Watch for any serious film fan.