The story line advanced here on IMDb for this picture states that "The Bronx Bull" chronicles his (Jake LaMotta) rise as a world class boxer and his struggles with life outside the ring. That would only be half right, LaMotta's rise as a world class boxer isn't touched on at all in this largely disjointed film about the former Middleweight Champion. That job is handled a lot better in Martin Scorsese's 1980 epic film "Raging Bull". Undoubtedly the 'Bull' connotation in the title is utilized to draw an audience for this film, but if you're like me, you'll be left unrewarded for the effort of tuning in to the picture.
It starts out interestingly enough, with LaMotta (William Forsythe) testifying before a Congressional Committee investigating the influence of organized crime in boxing, but aside from that brief scene, nothing ever comes of it. That right there would probably be a topic worthwhile enough to devote an entire picture to. Instead, the story takes a twenty year flashback to LaMotta's troubled youth, and a father (Paul Sorvino) who abused his son both physically and emotionally in order to experience some vicarious pleasure in seeing him beat people up.
From there on, the story moves forward in time through some of LaMotta's failed marriages and a dysfunctional relationship with childhood friend Rick Rosselli (Joe Mantegna), who's career high point seems to have taken him to making porno flicks. I have to say, as bad as this flick was, I'm intrigued enough to go out and get my hands on a copy of "Cauliflower Cupids" that was teased in this picture. It scores lower than "The Bronx Bull" by IMDb viewers, but it's got the real life Jake LaMotta in it, along with Sugar Ray Robinson, Willie Pep, and Tony Zale, with Jane Russell at the top of the bill. I say it's worth a look.
Well there's not much to recommend here, the story plays like a poorly written soap opera despite the caliber of some of the principal players. William Forsythe in particular does a fine job in portraying the title character, it's just that there's not much here to work with. Perhaps the biggest shocker for this viewer occurred when I went to look up the stats on Jake LaMotta himself here on IMDb, and discovered that the former boxer is still alive at ninety six years old as I write this! That's a knockout punch I didn't see coming.
Addendum**** It's just two days since I posted this review, and learned this morning that Jake LaMotta passed away yesterday, 9/19/2017. Another knockout punch no one saw coming. Rest in peace, Jake LaMotta.
It starts out interestingly enough, with LaMotta (William Forsythe) testifying before a Congressional Committee investigating the influence of organized crime in boxing, but aside from that brief scene, nothing ever comes of it. That right there would probably be a topic worthwhile enough to devote an entire picture to. Instead, the story takes a twenty year flashback to LaMotta's troubled youth, and a father (Paul Sorvino) who abused his son both physically and emotionally in order to experience some vicarious pleasure in seeing him beat people up.
From there on, the story moves forward in time through some of LaMotta's failed marriages and a dysfunctional relationship with childhood friend Rick Rosselli (Joe Mantegna), who's career high point seems to have taken him to making porno flicks. I have to say, as bad as this flick was, I'm intrigued enough to go out and get my hands on a copy of "Cauliflower Cupids" that was teased in this picture. It scores lower than "The Bronx Bull" by IMDb viewers, but it's got the real life Jake LaMotta in it, along with Sugar Ray Robinson, Willie Pep, and Tony Zale, with Jane Russell at the top of the bill. I say it's worth a look.
Well there's not much to recommend here, the story plays like a poorly written soap opera despite the caliber of some of the principal players. William Forsythe in particular does a fine job in portraying the title character, it's just that there's not much here to work with. Perhaps the biggest shocker for this viewer occurred when I went to look up the stats on Jake LaMotta himself here on IMDb, and discovered that the former boxer is still alive at ninety six years old as I write this! That's a knockout punch I didn't see coming.
Addendum**** It's just two days since I posted this review, and learned this morning that Jake LaMotta passed away yesterday, 9/19/2017. Another knockout punch no one saw coming. Rest in peace, Jake LaMotta.