Yesterday was the release-day of Criterion’s 4K edition of Raging Bull, for which I contributed a video-essay. There are two essays included in the booklet (also online), and I just read them both and must share them:
First: Raging Bull: Never Got Me Down, by my pal Glenn Kenny – who has interviewed Scorsese several times but especially for Made Men, Glenn’s wonderful book on the making of Goodfellas. I was hoping Glenn would be involved in this release, and he is. His essay is great, with an extensive knowledge of the period – the supposed “New Hollywood”, and the bookend (rightly or wrongly) that was Raging Bull. Glenn is one of my favorite writers – and thinkers – out there.
Second essay is Raging Bull: American Minotaur by Scottish poet Robin Robertson, and it’s an impressionistic emotional recollection of the movie’s impact on him as a young man, but also a commentary on American culture, particularly mid-20th-century culture, including noir. It’s fascinating and beautifully written.
I watched your video essay last night. It’s fantastic.
The point about the cramped spaces, narrow hallways. I never noticed that but it’s so impactful. How De Niro has nowhere to go, and finds release and escape in the ring.
Your ability to reference older movies and Shakespeare is well served.
The way you describe the dynamic and chemistry of the actors is fascinating. I didn’t realize Cathy Moriarty had no formal training. She must have been terrified on some level working with these major stars, yet was forced to muscle through and rise to the challenge. Just like her character. Perfect casting, as you note.
Acting is endlessly fascinating to me. These three people are so different as actors, yet the alchemy somehow worked like magic. Pesci’s ability to listen, be in the moment, react to what’s happening with his scene partners, plays so great off of De Niro’s laser focus. There is a reason they have co-starred in some of the best films ever made.
De Niro’s line about not indicating – wow. I get it. When you see bad acting, it’s generally OVER acting – looking REALLY scared, being INCREDIBLY happy. But people don’t behave like that. Yet, you need to relay they correct emotion to the audience – but subtly. The AUDIENCE needs to get it, even if the CHARACTER doesn’t. That seems like a really hard trick. I am not sure if I am even making sense – I have a hard time talking about acting other than I know what I like. Reading your recent pieces on De Niro has made me realize just how special the guy is.
Congratulations again. Movie criticism is such an important part of the art form. People still read and reference specific Pauline Kael and Roger Ebert reviews all the time, for example. They become a PART of the film in a sense. Raging Bull is one of the great films ever made, obviously, and you are now a part of it. Forever. That’s pretty awesome.
Thank you so much, Todd! I so appreciate your comments and support – and also your additional thoughts!
// The AUDIENCE needs to get it, even if the CHARACTER doesn’t. That seems like a really hard trick. //
This is SUCH a perfect way to put it. How does one play an unaware character? Someone who never looks deep within themselves? Jake LaMotta is a perfect example. We have to SEE all his pain and insecurity – but he can barely allow himself to feel it at all.
Acting like this requires great control – and almost zero tendencies towards self-pity OR a need for catharsis. De Niro just doesn’t care about his own emotions – he’s not “using” acting as a way to express himself. He’s just so on another plane.
// She must have been terrified on some level working with these major stars, yet was forced to muscle through and rise to the challenge. //
It really is amazing. She was just perfect. You never once feel like “oh. that’s an amateur.”
and thank you so much for your final comments. It really really means a lot!!
Your welcome. I really do hope you have taken a moment to sit back and appreciate what it means to be a part of this DVD, of this film, by this director. You’ve earned it.
I did take a moment!! Especially when I got the card from Marty. :) Thanks so much, Todd. You’ve been around since before this whole thing started. :)
I sure have! It’s been such a pleasure. To many more years….
Sheila!
We finally got the DVD! Charlie was so excited in the store, “Look!” “Her name is right here on the video!” Me, “Where?!” OMG, Yes! there it is!” We are such a couple of nerds!
So many things you and Todd say here and I just wanted to talk about that line.
I could have been somebody.
I probably would never have thought about that line at all if you hadn’t mentioned it and I can only look at it as an actress.
I have to get a little personal but I thought about it this way. I had a kid very young and it derailed a professional acting career. ( I have no regrets! but..) So if I was playing a part saying something like that (and I had to say this out loud) When I say “I could have been SOMEBODY” that caused something in me. A lament. A regret. A loss. Something way down deep. When I said out loud “I could have BEEN somebody.” I couldn’t feel anything! That’s as far as I know about that. It was very different! Like I’m just bitching.
But everything Todd was saying here that you wrote about, the cramped space, the 3 of them in their “sick” relationship. Cathy Moriarty with the breath of the Bronx on her, (I love how you put that) and only 17! (I also love the first wife) How you say DeNiro took away rather then adding things on, Pesci looking like a little boy in that scene in his fancy gangster suit. Oh there is so much more. We want to go back and listen to Scorsese’s comments too. And watch your comments again.
Big Congrats! Such a great triumph! I love how Todd said how you are a part of this movie forever now too! Yes!