How accurate was De Niro's portrayal of LaMotta in Raging Bull?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by globe_trotter, Jul 17, 2009.


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  1. john garfield

    john garfield Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    RAGING BULL is the Sound of Music version of Jake's life.
     
    john garfield, Jul 17, 2009
    john garfield, Jul 17, 2009
    #16
    Rock0052 and Saintpat like this.
  2. globe_trotter

    globe_trotter Member Full Member

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    care to elaborate on those elements? In my view he was shown in a pretty bad light enough as it is, i cant think of many other factors or qualities that could make him look even worse. maybe im just short on imagination.
     
    globe_trotter, Jul 17, 2009
    globe_trotter, Jul 17, 2009
    #17
  3. globe_trotter

    globe_trotter Member Full Member

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    oh yeah, jake spent a lot of time with De Niro, and Bobby is the kind of actor who tries to nail any little thing and make it work for him. Being around him, sparring, Bobby adapted pretty fast.

    i havent read Vicky's book, i would think she had a lot to say about what kind of man he was behind the scenes..

    we know a lot about Jake the boxer, we know little of Jake the man, except for what we can gather in the movie.
     
    globe_trotter, Jul 17, 2009
    globe_trotter, Jul 17, 2009
    #18
  4. Rourke

    Rourke Member Full Member

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    I'm not really sure if you're debating one of my points or not, janitor, as I do agree with what you posted... I do however believe that his performance in The Deer Hunter is much better, but it's a matter or preference and taste in the end.
     
    Rourke, Jul 17, 2009
    Rourke, Jul 17, 2009
    #19
  5. Chinxkid

    Chinxkid Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Ok, I'll be the one to say it......... "More, we want more!"
     
    Chinxkid, Jul 17, 2009
    Chinxkid, Jul 17, 2009
    #20
  6. Chinxkid

    Chinxkid Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Pick just about any DeNiro movie you want. The guy can do anything.
     
    Chinxkid, Jul 17, 2009
    Chinxkid, Jul 17, 2009
    #21
  7. Rourke

    Rourke Member Full Member

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    He is good. But not as good as Mickey Rourke :)
     
    Rourke, Jul 17, 2009
    Rourke, Jul 17, 2009
    #22
  8. Chinxkid

    Chinxkid Well-Known Member Full Member

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    :lol: I like that, brother, and I like Mickey Rourke, too. Angel Heart (with DeNiro as a believable Mephistopheles, Pope of Greenwich Village, Diner... Saw the wrestler, and as far as I could tell he did a good job. But to be honest here, I was so fixated on a FINNALLY naked Marisa Tomei that I hardly noticed anybody else.
     
    Chinxkid, Jul 17, 2009
    Chinxkid, Jul 17, 2009
    #23
  9. TheGreatA

    TheGreatA Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    TheGreatA, Jul 17, 2009
    TheGreatA, Jul 17, 2009
    #24
  10. Rourke

    Rourke Member Full Member

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    Oh man you just brought a smile to my face when you mentioned Pope, which is my favourite work of his. He actually wrote and starred in a boxing film called Homeboy, Christopher Walken co-stars, it was directed by the guy who shot Angel Heart. I wonder if the boxing enthusiasts here have seen it?
     
    Rourke, Jul 17, 2009
    Rourke, Jul 17, 2009
    #25
  11. janitor

    janitor VIP Member Full Member

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    There are a lot of dark stories surrounding LaMotta and I cannot swear to their authenticity.

    He beat a bookmaker to death for his betting slips.

    He raped a 14 year old girl.

    He beat a woman (he thought) to death and he and his brother tried to dispose of the body before it turned out she was alive.

    Reading between the lines this was a bad man.

    Not bad as in dark and mysterious.

    Bad in the original sense of the word.
     
    janitor, Jul 17, 2009
    janitor, Jul 17, 2009
    #26
  12. Flea Man

    Flea Man มวยสากล Full Member

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    De Niro was a MASSIVE fan of LaMotta's (auto?)biography, and pleaded with Scorsese to make it for years (Marty felt it was 'too dark')

    Following the dismal failure of 'New York, New York' (was it called that? can't be bothered to check fact fans, I go via memory only :good) marty wanted to do something more serious and it was then that De Niro re-reminded him of 'Raging Bull' and suggested Schraeder (who they worked with on 'Taxi Driver') do the screenplay.


    This is from being a fan of Scorsese rather than any fact-finding due to the boxing connection;hopefully someone can be bothered to check and fight out.

    Hence I think De Niro would've been into an honest portrayal. He is 'the Method Actor' let's not forget.
     
    Flea Man, Jul 17, 2009
    Flea Man, Jul 17, 2009
    #27
  13. globe_trotter

    globe_trotter Member Full Member

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    globe_trotter, Jul 17, 2009
    globe_trotter, Jul 17, 2009
    #28
  14. globe_trotter

    globe_trotter Member Full Member

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    im starting to remember all that stuff was written in is book. i guess the movie was sugar coated a little like you said. im gonna need to get my hands on the book again.
     
    globe_trotter, Jul 17, 2009
    globe_trotter, Jul 17, 2009
    #29
  15. teeto

    teeto Obsessed with Boxing banned

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    Yeah I got LaMotta's book, Raging Bull, going from that, Janitor is definitely right.
     
    teeto, Jul 17, 2009
    teeto, Jul 17, 2009
    #30
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