Raging Bull ★★★★ 1980 (R) Scorsese's depressing but magnificent vision of the dying American Dream and suicidal macho codes in the form of the rise and fall of middleweight boxing champ Jake LaMotta, a brutish, dull-witted animal who can express himself only in the ring and through violence. A photographically expressive, brilliant drama, with easily the most intense and brutal boxing scenes ever filmed. De Niro provides a vintage performance, going from the young LaMotta to the aging has-been, and is ably accompanied by Moriarty as his girl and Pesci as his loyal, much beat-upon bro. 128m/B VHS, DVD, 8mm, Wide. Robert De Niro, Cathy Moriarty, Joe Pesci, Frank Vincent, Nicholas Colasanto, Theresa Saldana;
Director:
Martin Scorsese;
Writer:
Paul Schrader, Mardik Martin;
Writer:
Michael Chapman;
Cameo:
Robbie Robertson. Oscars '80: Actor (De Niro), Film Editing; AFI '98: Top 100; Golden Globes '81: Actor—Drama (De Niro); L.A. Film Critics '80: Actor (De Niro), Film; Natl. Bd. of Review '80: Actor (De Niro), Support. Actor (Pesci), Natl. Film Reg. '90;; N.Y. Film Critics '80: Actor (De Niro), Actor (De Niro), Support. Actor (Pesci, Pesci); Natl. Soc. Film Critics '80: Cinematog., Director (Scorsese), Support. Actor (Pesci).
