We will soon see just how crazy this man is, as he turns over the dining table in a fight with his first wife over how long to cook his steak, yells down at his complaining neighbor that he's going to kill and eat his dog, and then goads his younger brother (Pesci) into punching him in the face as hard as he can. The opening sequence sets the stage for something special De Niro is dancing in place alone in the ring in poetic slow motion, we see the film will be in black and white and there is a smoky haze in the background as the opening credits roll. This is a great film on a number of levels - as a biography of former middleweight boxing champion Jake La Motta, yes, but also a fascinating character study, with stellar performances from Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci, and epic direction from Martin Scorsese. The boxing fight scenes are brilliant and brutal. The film delivers the signature eye for detail that made Scorsese famous. Everyone around him senses it but LaMotto simply cannot. His hate is a profound one, not a hate of others or what he attacks, but a hatred of himself. The audience simply watches as any small act or suspicion is a window for him to confirm what he wants most of all, confirmation that his partner is unfaithful and by extension he is, himself, unworthy. He lacks the emotional maturity or awareness to communicate his frustrations to words. His thought process is endlessly fascinating to watch as he warps any act of kindness or love into betrayal and distance. LaMotto cannot introspectively evaluate his emotions. The film finds its expression through the emotional immaturity of the lead character. Everyone around LaMotto can see his problem, his unhealthy obsession and suspicion but he cannot help himself. The real magic is that these issues are expressed through the warped psychological outbursts of De Niro's character. The movie also explores many of the complex issues of violence against women and the psychological destruction of a man who cannot accept or understand intimacy.
The narrative plot is straightforward enough, it follows the life of a 1940-50s boxer.
It is hard to say what exactly this film is "about". This movie showcases both of these film legends at their best.
Scorsese has had a long and distinguished career along with the film's lead Robert de Niro.
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