CAMERA MOVEMENTSThroughout the film Raging Bull, there are two prominent settings, the boxing ring and the domestic settings. One important thing to note is the lack of camera movement in domestic household settings. The boxing scenes are edited together with multiple shots, ranging from rapid panning, to zooming, and extreme close-ups. The rapidness of the boxing scenes create a sense of fatigue, and the audience is placed in the boxers POV. When scenes changes camera angles, it could be hard for the viewer to keep up with what they are viewing. This is important because it creates a sense of confusion and dissociation for the boxer. As stated by editor Thelma Schoonmaker at the Tribeca Film Festival, "When he is winning, the editing can be expansive and he moves around the ring with ease. When he is losing, the cutting is staccato and LaMotta's familiar working environment becomes claustrophobic, nightmarish and unfamiliar." The size of the ring could also represent the freedom he feels he has as a result of boxing. Instead of tight, claustrophobic settings like the domestic scenes, we see LaMotta move with fluidity. Nothing is holding him back. He has the freedom do whatever he wants. In contrast, the domestic scenes always sort of have an opponent, whether it be his wife or his brother. This is ironic in a sense because he feels more trapped outside of the ring. This is a common component in boxing films, for all a boxer really knows is boxing. According to the real-life Vikki LaMotta, she once asked Jake why he beat her, to which he supposedly responded "I did it because I loved you. I thought it would frighten you into coming back to me. Besides, I get hurt all the time. It doesn't mean anything." Getting hurt didn't mean anything to him, which is extremely relevant in De Niro's portrayal of the character. Because of the different camera techniques implemented in the boxing scenes, the audience can identify the subtle similarities and differences of boxing life versus family life.
Scorsese then states that certain close-ups allow a "subliminal implication of some sort.... intensifying the drama." This is also is identified in the Raging Bull Feature Commentary, in which one of the commentators notes at 83:16 “These are mediums. This tells something about a distance. [--They] are very separate from each other. There’s this gap, and the medium shot. We understand that there is space between them, which we know in the narrative, is about to happen." These shots stay on medium shots, with hardly any other movement going on. This is important because the audience can acknowledge the differences between domestic/work. We judge these scenes with intense scrutiny because it is no longer a fight scene, and yet we still see the aggressive nature of LaMotta. He is still technically "in the ring", but now, he is facing off against his brother. The dramatic effect makes up for the rapid camera movements. In fight scenes, the camera movements highlight the aggression, and to make up for those movements, we get minimal shots with quietness, and the audience is supposed to identify the contrasting settings. FORESHADOWING
We see in other boxing films that the boxer won't take the bribe, even if it kills him. This surrender to the mob shows that he truly isn't in control of himself, no matter how hard he tries. In this scene, he appears to realize that he made a mistake, that is until a scene towards the ending of the film.
I liked this movie quite a lot. I think the writing, directing, and acting was tremendous. I had watched this movie three times, and every time I watched it, I always noticed something new. I'm sure if I were to watch it again, I'd see even more minuscule details that add meaning to the plot.
2 Comments
Brian Brems
9/28/2016 11:44:41 am
Savannah,
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9/28/2016 12:11:04 pm
Savannah, gret blog post on Raging Bull. I'm not always the best at knowing what each camera angle means and reading your post, made me realize that the way the camera is angled really does mean something and its very important in the film. Keep the great job going and look forward to reading more of your blog posts.
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