- Sensibility: Some confusing decision-making around LaMotta's ability to fight and his suspensions makes for strange plot progression, but, on the whole, not horribly unreasonable.
- Cinematography: Great lighting, blocking, and framing choices throughout. However, the fight choreography is quite bad. It certainly does not hold up to the excellent fight choreography of the modern day. In addition, the film
suffers from some sound design issues. There were some odd moments where the dialogue is so quiet I actually had to turn on subtitles to understand it. Some of these issues can be excused due to the age of the film, but definitely not all of them.
- Energy: The story drags in repetition, particularly in the fights that are awkward and clunky for most of the film. There's also a bit too much repetition outside of the ring, with the domestic abuse issues and
LaMotta's controlling nature.
- Narrative: A solid narrative with a great mix of action and drama. Some of the time-skips in the story are a bit confusing, but LaMotta's character and downfall is extremely interesting. Great dialogue choices make
for excellent character development across all the main characters.
- T-Points: The film received four bonus points: one for an incredible shot down a hotel-room hallway where an argument takes place, one for a time-slowing zoom shot when Ray beats LaMotta, one for a great shot and scene in a jail cell, and one for a brilliant monologue from
LaMotta addressed to his brother in a dressing room.
All-time classic film that has a few areas that didn't hold up in my opinion. LaMotta's controlling nature over his wife is a bit overstated and awkward fight choreography really gives a beating to suspension of disbelief.
Number of Watches: 1
