1980
Directed by Martin Scorsese
Yet another boxing movie that is supposed to shock us with our gritty realism. I know, I am supposed to go through the whole song and dance of praising this film, but honestly, this is one of my least favorite genres in film.
Jake La Motta is a boxer and overall terrible human being, whose terribleness drives away his family and friends. He is abusive, jealous, and basically a rage monster. He is someone I would never want to meet in real life, or watch a two hour plus film about.
I am not going to sit here and say this movie was complete crap, because it's Scorsese and everything he makes is probably worth a watch. But it certainly wasn't fun watching such a boor on screen. And I personally think watching movies should be fun or enriching in some way. I really can't say that about this film.
RATING: **---
Interesting Facts:
When the real Jake La Motta watched this and realized he was the worst, he asked his wife if he had been that bad. She said he was worse.
Joe La Motta sued Universal for their depiction of him.
Ẁe have to accept this is actually a great film. It is powerful, emotional and a great study of someone being damaged by their personal demons. It's well made, magnificently photographed, and well acted. It is a fully fledged 5 star movie.
ReplyDeleteThat does not mean you and I have to ever watch it again or have liked it in the first viewing. We are allowed that, and I politely ask lovers of this film have to accept that I'm afraid the brutality makes it an unpleasant viewing experience for us.
Exactly. I feel like that with most boxing films but I still have a hard time getting through them.
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