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Finally got to Raging Bull yesterday and, man!

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clarkjohnsen

Maybe I just wasn't meant to see it in 1980. Talk about a movie ahead of its time...
And it seems to have affixed itself to many other writers' and directors' minds over the decades.
Sopranos-type stuff now looks like a major rip-off, and a dilution.
The opening scene, you recall, the rehearsal in front of the mirror... I said to myself, Damn this reminds me of Ian McClellan's Richard III (which I love). And then by God! if Jake doesn't say, "A horse! A horse! My kingdom for a horse!" -- the most famous line from Richard III. Could McClellan have staged his opening soliloquy in front of a mirror, having seen Raging Bull?
Everything about it was superb. And I flinched whenever he hit the women, so believable did it seem.
And didn't Sugar Ray look great? (Yeah, yeah, an actor...) And Joe Pesci in a real role?
I think I skipped it at the time because who wanted to see another boxing (or horseracing) movie? Plus I was way above such things at that time, as opposed to now, when I'm merely above them.
Saw it at the Brattle, same theatre I'd seen my first foreign movie at. Memory lane... Wild Strawberries...
Afterwards I stopped at the John Harvard Ale House for a quick one. It had been a long time since I'd enjoyed the night life in Harvard Square. Well actually it was more the early-evening life. Then I went home.
I paint the town now with a smaller brush.
The John Harvard is famous for a story I tell. I went there just after it opened, sat down at the bar and when asked, said, "I'd like your bitterest brew." The bartender drew himself up straght and replied, "Sir, our beers are not bitter!"
Last night, twelve years later: "I'd like your bitterest brew." "Coming right up! DPA! Devil's Pale Ale!"
clark

Follow Ups:

Thanks, Clark...this makes me want to see it again. (nt) - C.B. 04:58:49 03/20/05 (0)
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Saw Raging Bull!-what took you so long? - warrenh@optonline.net 03:21:08 03/20/05 (3)
Probably one of the greatest movies ever. I'm sure it's on many a top ten list. It's on mine. Easily, IMHO, the best of the 80s. You've motivated me to put in on my queue list...thanks...
- can relate to the same with TV - warrenh@optonline.net 17:19:26 03/20/05 (1)
  never saw:
  Cheers
  Friends
  Frazier
  ER
  Everybody Loves Raymond
  Fear Factor
  and a host of others...In my case, I don't think I'm missing anything...
  Plenty of classic movies, as well, that I haven't seen....
  - Re: I'm with you - rico 05:50:01 03/21/05 (0)
    I have never seen any of those TV shows eother.
- Dunno... Didn't see ET until last year, or Sunset Boulevard, or... nt - clarkjohnsen 10:51:27 03/20/05 (0)
  z
Re: Finally got to Raging Bull yesterday and, man! - Pondfish 13:06:52 03/19/05 (1)
Heh Clark...what about Grendel's Den? That's the place to drink in Harvard Square IMHO.
Larry
- But they don't brew their own. nt - clarkjohnsen 10:54:41 03/20/05 (0)
  a
That's nothing...I just saw "A Clockwork Orange" for the first time. - dennzio 09:10:50 03/19/05 (6)
And now I whistle "singin in the rain" all day...me and my droogy-woogs. ...gives the wife a pain in the gulliver.
- I saw it when it was released . . and, yes, I wanted to be just like them! * - mr grits 16:06:08 03/19/05 (0)
  *
  -------
  It's all a ruse.
- unrated version? - Jon L 13:02:09 03/19/05 (1)
  Clockwork Orange unrated version has to be one of the most memorable pieces of (movie?) I've ever seen..
  - Not sure. I believe it was the original X rated version. (nt - dennzio 14:16:21 03/19/05 (0)
    nt
- But I've still NOT seen it! nt - clarkjohnsen 09:18:01 03/19/05 (2)
  s
  - My gawd man! Your eyelids should be pealed back and you should be forced to watch it! (nt - dennzio 12:51:34 03/19/05 (1)
    nt
    - And forced to listen to Beethovens 9th symphony! (nt) - grinagog 16:00:13 03/20/05 (0)
      Grins
Re: Finally got to Raging Bull yesterday and, man! - rico 07:46:17 03/19/05 (0)
The cinematography was designed to look like the famous Weegee fight phots. There was also some under- and overcranking during the fight sequences.
I found some of the intimate scenes between Jake and his wife to be uncomfortable, so voyeristic were they.
The long tracking shot was revisited in "Goodfellas".
And De Niro as Jake doing Brando as Terry Mulloy? To die for.
Forgot to mention the music. Elmo Tanner! Where else can you hear... - clarkjohnsen 06:29:02 03/19/05 (0)
...the greatest whistler who ever lived? The great Elmo Tanner!
As the film progressed throught he years, the music was appropriately selected. The breakout hit of '47 was Ted Weems' Heartaches (with Tanner as soloist), and it was the only selection that the director turned up to full volume.
clark
Well done, Clark. Not that you seek agreement . . . or approval - Auricle 12:51:34 03/18/05 (1)
The subject was rich. I have met "la Motta" on several occasions. Not a "primal force" but more accurately "a petite primal force".
I actually think the film captures his intellectual prison, his pettiness and his fearsome ability to project a physical presence/eveyday violence quite well. Plus, having done Golden Gloves (Feets, Don't Fail Me Now!) I may have a different perspective from many.
BTW, I met la Motta through the "good" graces of Rocky Grazianno.
Long story! But sheer happenstance.
I cannot say I like the film, it is not something I watch frequently. After all, boxers are only a proxy for warriors. But I admire the film immensely. Scorcese perceived the subject with startling clarity!
- Agree on all accounts. You should write your story up. nt - clarkjohnsen 06:25:59 03/19/05 (0)
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